Inner Melbourne councils unite through M9 to advocate for regional priorities ahead of 2026 state election

The M9 alliance includes the City of Melbourne, Darebin City Council, Maribyrnong City Council, Merri-bek City Council, Hobsons Bay City Council, Yarra City Council, City of Stonnington, and Moonee Valley City Council. Together, these councils represent a diverse and dynamic region at the heart of Victoria’s capital.  

The Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece chaired a meeting with representatives from the Labor Party; Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell chaired a meeting with representatives from the Liberal Party; and City of Port Phillip’s Mayor Louise Crawford chaired a meeting with representatives from the Greens and crossbench. 

The event provided a valuable platform for open dialogue between local government leaders and state representatives. With the 2026 Victorian State Election on the horizon, the timing was ideal to reinforce shared priorities and explore opportunities for partnership that will deliver meaningful outcomes for the communities we collectively serve. 

Across the meetings, participants discussed key challenges and opportunities facing the region, with a focus on three central themes: 

• Strengthening community safety: Ensuring residents feel safe and supported in their neighbourhoods through proactive measures, investment in local services, and coordinated responses to emerging issues. 

• Investing in infrastructure to support growth: Advocating for the M9 region to be recognised as a growth suburb, including sustainable development that meets the needs of a growing population, including housing, public spaces, and essential services. 

• Improving transport connectivity across Inner Melbourne: Enhancing public transport networks, active transport options, and traffic management to better connect people with jobs, education, and services. 

These priorities reflect the lived experiences of residents across the inner metropolitan area and highlight the importance of cross-council and cross-government collaboration. The issues discussed are not confined to municipal boundaries or political lines they require united leadership and shared commitment to ensure Melbourne remains a liveable, inclusive and thriving region. 

Mayor Crawford emphasised the importance of working together to amplify the voice of local communities: 

“This was an important opportunity to speak directly with state decision-makers about the priorities that matter most to our communities. The M9 councils represent one in five Victorians, so by coming together, we’re able to amplify our voice and ensure the needs of Inner Melbourne are clearly heard at the state level.” 

Council extends its sincere thanks to all Members of Parliament who attended and engaged in the discussion. Your commitment to listening and working alongside local government is vital to building a stronger, more connected future for all Victorians. 

To learn more about M9, visit https://m9.org.au/