The Victorian Government wants to better understand and respond to the needs of Melbourne’s communities.
Over the next thirty-five years, Melbourne is projected to become Australia’s largest city, with its population expected to almost double. A key challenge will be ensuring our suburbs are equipped for the future.
The Metropolitan Partnerships are advisory groups established by the Victorian Government. The partnerships are a way for local communities to engage directly with state and local governments, and advise the Victorian Government of the top priorities for jobs, services and infrastructure across the region. There is a metropolitan partnership for each region of Melbourne: Inner Metro, Inner South-east, Western, Northern, Eastern and Southern.
Which Partnership region am I in?
The Metropolitan Regions follow the geographic structure of the city's major population settlements and transport corridors. Each Region includes regionally significant infrastructure, such as major metropolitan activity centres, hospitals and universities – effectively making them cities within the city.
The Partnerships cover each of the following local government areas:
- Inner Metro: Melbourne, Yarra, Port Phillip
- Inner South-east: Boroondara, Stonnington, Glen Eira, Bayside
- Western: Wyndham, Melton, Brimbank, Moonee Valley, Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay
- Northern: Hume, Whittlesea, Nillumbik, Merri-bek, Darebin, Banyule, Mitchell
- Eastern: Yarra Ranges, Manningham, Maroondah, Knox, Whitehorse, Monash
- Southern: Kingston, Greater Dandenong, Cardinia, Casey, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula
Click on the map above for information about your Partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Victorian Government is committed to better understanding and responding to the needs of Melbourne’s communities.
Recognising that local communities are best placed to advise on the issues and priorities for their region, the Government has developed a collaborative partnership model.
The Metropolitan Partnerships are a coordinated way for communities to advise the government on what matters in their region. They are advisory groups that bring community and business members together with state and local government representatives.
There are six Partnerships across Melbourne, with each one comprised of eight community and business representatives, the CEO of each local government in that region, and a Deputy Secretary from the Victorian State Government.
The Partnerships’ role is to advise the Victorian Government on priorities for jobs, services and infrastructure across Melbourne’s six metropolitan regions.
You can read the Metropolitan Partnerships Terms of Reference to find out more about the role of the six Metropolitan Partnerships.
Each year, the Partnerships will identify priorities for their region.
The Partnerships bring people from the community, industry and government together at an annual assembly, to harness the feedback and ideas from local communities.
The Partnerships also work with regional and local groups, networks and organisations to progress and develop local responses to issues.
These priorities will be presented to the Victorian Government through the Minister for Suburban Development. This independent advice will inform key decision-making processes and enable government to be more responsive to community needs and better target their investment.
Each Partnership comprises community and business representatives who bring diverse views, skills and experiences from across the regions as well as representatives from all levels of government.
Community and business members are recruited to the Metropolitan Partnerships through a public expression of interest process. Potential candidates submit applications, and shortlisted applicants are interviewed. The CEOs of each of the local councils and a Victorian Government Deputy Secretary are also appointed to each Partnership.
Partnership members are appointed for a four-year term.
Councils make a significant contribution to the everyday lives of Victorians by providing services, delivering programs, planning and maintenance of critical infrastructure, coordinating culturally important events and implementing local planning strategies.
Councils provide a vehicle for the expression of local democracy, giving people a say in matters affecting their local area.
Given the important role of local government, the Victorian Government has asked local government to participate in the Metropolitan Partnerships through their CEOs. The CEOs will participate in the Partnerships in an ex-officio capacity, acting as a conduit between their council and the Metropolitan Partnership. The CEOs are asked to bring their knowledge of local issues and council-endorsed plans and strategies to the table. This will help the Partnerships focus on opportunities for the state to take actions to support important local priorities.
Metropolitan Partnerships are not intended to replace or duplicate the function of elected bodies, including councils. The Partnerships are an additional mechanism to help ensure the diverse needs and experiences of communities are heard by all levels of government.
The views of the community are essential in shaping the priorities for each metropolitan region, and supporting livability and economic prosperity of our communities and regions.
The community can get involved in the Metropolitan Partnerships by visiting the Engage Victoria website, and clicking on their region’s page.
The community can keep updated on the work of the Metropolitan Partnerships and get involved by sharing their thoughts in the lead-up to the annual assemblies on the Engage VIC website. All feedback received helps the Partnership identify the topics that are most important to their community, so they can table them for discussion at the assembly. Community members can also attend the annual assembly. The assemblies are an opportunity for members of the community, including those who live, work or play in the region, to come together with the Partnership members, Ministers from the Victorian Government, and other elected government officials to have their say on issues that matter to them.
Help shape a positive future for your community
To share the issues and priorities important to you, visit your region’s Partnership page, and email your thoughts and ideas to your Metropolitan Partnership.
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Page last updated: 13/12/22