MEDIA RELEASE
A massive swing against the Victorian Government in the Werribee byelection highlights a growing frustration with infrastructure and service delivery across Melbourne’s broader outer suburban region, the alliance body Outer Melbourne Councils has warned.
Thousands of voters turned their backs on the Government in Werribee, with transport congestion, housing, overwhelmed services and community safety identified as the top issues.
Whilst the vote counting in the byelection is yet to be finalised, the electorate has sent a strong message to political parties, and the Government in particular, that they must do better.
Outer Melbourne Councils is warning that the policy frustrations and community dynamics at play behind the shock result in Werribee exist across all the outer suburbs.
“The result in Werribee needs to be a wake up call for all MPs and candidates in electorates across Melbourne’s outer suburbs,” an OMC spokesperson said.
“People living across outer Melbourne — east, west, north or south — should have access to jobs, services and infrastructure no matter where they live.
“But investment isn’t keeping up with community need.”
A swathe of outer-suburban government electorates could change hands if the Werribee result was to be replicated more broadly in November 2026. They include:
Outer east: Bass, Pakenham, Monbulk, Hastings, Narre Warren South, Narre Warren North, Cranbourne
Outer north: Yan Yean, Sunbury, Greenvale, Eltham
Outer West: Melton, Sydenham, Point Cook
OMC is urging all parties and candidates to engage more with outer suburban communities (including local councils) as they develop their 2026 Victorian election policy platforms.
Contact: Ryan Sheales, 0402 351 412, ryan@theagendagroup.com.au