Following a March 2020 review of the Inner Melbourne Action Plan (IMAP) it was determined that the group be dissolved, and a new expanded group be established of the nine inner Melbourne Councils (M9).
The motivation for this change was to grow the alliance acknowledge the changing profile of inner Melbourne, improve efficiencies, leverage a united identity, and allow for allow for opportunities for elected representatives to represent 1 in 5 Victorians, and more than a third of Victoria’s Gross State Product.
M9 Councils resolved to enter a Memorandum of Understanding to establish the alliance, which consists of the following member Councils:
- Darebin City Council
- Hobson’s Bay City Council
- Maribyrnong City Council
- City of Melbourne
- Merri-bek City Council
- Moonee Valley City Council
- City of Port Phillip
- City of Stonnington
- City of Yarra
The M9 objectives are to:
- undertake strategic, evidence-based, targeted and effective advocacy campaigns
- engage strategically with key decision-makers to advocate on priority areas and build genuine partnership with government representatives
- enable best practice to be shared across Greater Melbourne Councils
- undertake joint partnerships and collective action, particularly where there are market failures and/or policy gaps.
To maximise effectiveness, it was agreed by M9 members to establish six strategic priorities that would ensure advocacy priorities were focused and clear. Following consultation from member Councils, M9 agreed on the below strategic priorities:
- active transport
- affordable housing
- economic recovery
- community resilience
- waste and circular economy
- renewable energy.
