In this update, we bring you the latest news and developments from across Strategic Growth and Advocacy, and Corporate Development. It has been a privilege to assist in Marjan's role while she has been away, and I am grateful for the opportunity to support our team's ongoing initiatives. Read on to learn more about how we are working together to make a positive impact.
Asset Management
Service Planning
The Executive and Councillors have endorsed Service Planning across the organisation to provide clear strategic direction and ensure compliance with the Local Government Act and Essential Services Commission requirements.
Service Plans define the Business as Usual (BAU) for each team, detailing roles, responsibilities, required resources, service levels provided to the community, and the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or targets to be achieved.
This project will inform strategic decisions in the coming years. The data gathered will be used for:
- Service summaries and reports to Councillors and the community
- Process mapping and improvements
- Streamlined quarterly reporting
- Improved forms and workflows
- Asset management plans
- Service reviews
- Strategies and plans
Community Advocacy
Palm Sunday
The Advocacy team represented Council’s Back Your Neighbour campaign at the national Palm Sunday gathering on 13 April. Hundreds of community groups and leaders in Melbourne CBD stood in solidarity for kindness, justice and compassionate policies for refugees and asylum seekers. Staff promoted the 'Email the Minister' campaign and raised awareness about Council’s advocacy efforts. Follow the campaign on social media @BackYourNeighbour.
Anti-Poverty Advocacy: Help Make a Change!
Poverty affects one in five people in Greater Dandenong, and the rising cost of living is worsening the situation. The Greater Dandenong Anti-Poverty Steering Committee has responded by sending 13 letters to local MPs and meeting with MPs David Limbrick, Rachel Payne and Julian Hill, with another meeting scheduled with Gabrielle Williams. The Committee is advocating for changes and seeks the support of residents in Greater Dandenong. For more information, contact poverty@cgd.vic.gov.au or visit our website.
Greater Dandenong’s Upcoming Reconciliation Action Plan
The redevelopment of the Council Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is progressing well after consultations with our RAP reference group and internal steering committee. We will send the first draft to Reconciliation Australia for feedback in May. We have also finalized new RAP artwork, which will support the launch of the council's wider community consultation in July.
Family Violence
The Advocacy team will consult with cultural communities in Greater Dandenong to create messages about family violence, including local support services. These messages will be shared on social media as part of Council's prevention efforts.
Communications and Customer Experience
New Appointments
- Sahar Ehsani has joined our Customer Service team in recent months. She speaks and reads Dari fluently. Additional community language skills are always welcome!
- Marcel Ianno, who’s the new Strategic Lead – Web and Digital Communications (a role previously held by Miranda Harwood).
- Hayley Jones has been promoted to Social and Digital Media Adviser (a role previously held by Emma Featherstone).
- Imogen Wishart is acting as our Community Engagement Lead, while Israel is on bereavement leave until 12 May.
- Libby McInnes is acting for Gavin Vogl as Customer Experience lead until 23 May while he’s on leave.
We're really pleased to have all this talent in our team, adding value and bringing new skills and ideas.
Please reach out to the Communications and Engagement team through news@cgd.vic.gov.au or web@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Contracts – Snap Send Solve
Snap Send Solve is an application that allows community members to capture a photo of an issue and send a report to the relevant council or authority for resolution. We have an established contract with Snap Send Solve for limited integration with Merit, enabling us to record community reports that require action. In collaboration with the Digital Technology department, we are currently renegotiating this contract to enhance efficiencies and improve the customer experience.
Merit Reports to the Community – going live in June 2025
We're collaborating with other teams, particularly Digital Technology to share web information about our high-volume request types and performance metrics. We'll transparently display the number of requests and actions each month for Dumped Rubbish, Trees, Animals, Illegally Parked Vehicles, Abandoned Vehicles and Graffiti.
People and Change
New OHS Manager Commencing 5 May
We confirm that our new OHS Manager, Beth McIntosh will start on Monday, 5 May. Beth has extensive experience in leading the Safety function in Local Government and other industries. We anticipate that she will provide valuable safety leadership and support to CGD. Please welcome her to the team.
Appointing our new Workplace Relations Lead
We are in the final stages of interviewing for the new Workplace Relations Lead position. This role will support the OD Consultants in their duties and contribute to strengthening our Employee Value Proposition. We aim to confirm this appointment within the next two weeks.
Yuri Guzman, Acting Executive Manager Strategic Growth and Advocacy