Port Phillip joins M9 push for infrastructure to match Melbourne's growth

Representing inner Melbourne's nine councils, M9 delivered a simple message: growth needs infrastructure.

Our advocacy was backed by M9's recent report, Investing in Growth: Funding Essential Infrastructure, which found the region is expected to accommodate around 980,000 additional residents, 525,000 new homes and 618,000 new jobs over the next 25 years. The same report identifies an average annual infrastructure funding shortfall of approximately $161 million across M9 councils.

Discussions focused on three key priorities:

• Better funding arrangements to support growth in established urban areas.
• Improved transport connectivity, including stronger orbital and cross-city bus services.
• Safer and more connected communities through coordinated investment and partnerships.

For Port Phillip, Mayor Alex Makin highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing Fishermans Bend, one of Australia's largest urban renewal precincts. With around 80,000 homes and 80,000 jobs planned for the precinct, timely investment in transport, drainage, open space and community infrastructure will be critical to ensuring growth strengthens liveability rather than undermining it.

The meetings included discussions with Tim Richardson, Minister for Local Government, as well as government and opposition MPs, in addition to local members Nina Taylor and Rachel Westaway. Key topics included recognising M9 as a growth region, improving cross-city transport connections, unlocking Fishermans Bend and ensuring infrastructure funding keeps pace with housing delivery.

As Melbourne grows, City of Port Phillip will continue working through the M9 alliance to advocate for the transport, community facilities, parks and local infrastructure needed to keep our communities connected, liveable and thriving.