Council and community leaders from across outer Melbourne will gather in Narree Warren on Monday to discuss new ways to overcome challenges linked to sustained population growth and historic infrastructure and service underfunding.
The event — organised to kick off OMC Week 2025 — will feature presentations from council representatives, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Victorian Premier, Tim Richardson and the Opposition Leader, Brad Battin.
There will also be a panel discussion involving Dr Jonathan Spear (CEO, Infrastructure Victoria), Linda Allison (CEO, Urban Development Institute of Australia) and Margaret Paul (ABC News suburbs reporter in Melbourne).
The afternoon will explore how councils, the Victorian Government and industry leaders can work together to better keep pace with growth – through housing delivery, infrastructure investment and improved service planning.
Melbourne’s outer ring suburbs are home to nearly two million people, or roughly 25% of Victoria’s population, and have supported about half of Victoria’s population growth over the past decade.
OMC councils are seeking policy reforms and new government investments to ensure infrastructure spending matches growth, services are available in local communities and employment opportunities can be found close to home.
“It’s time the outer suburbs received their fair share of public attention, investment and support.”
Journalists are invited to attend the below OMC Week events:
Building Tomorrow: Planning for growth in outer Melbourne
A community growth and infrastructure forum hosted by the City of Casey
Monday 18 August, 2.00pm – 3.30pm.
Connecting outer Melbourne for the Future
A roads, transport and connectivity forum hosted by the City of Whittlesea
Friday 22 August, 12.30pm – 2.00pm.
Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre, South Morang
Feat. James Williams (RACV), Mackayla Hanney (Kinetic) and Tony Morton (Public Transport Users Association)
To RSVP or arrange an interview please contact:
Ryan Sheales, 0402 351 412, OMCmedia@theagendagroup.com.au
Outer Melbourne Councils is an advocacy alliance comprising the municipalities of Cardinia, Casey, Hume, Melton, Mitchell, Nillumbik, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Yarra Ranges. These LGAs form a ring around metropolitan Melbourne. See map.
