The engagement approach for the second phase of consultation was designed to ‘test and refine’ the draft M2050 Vision, Council Plan 2025–29 and the 10-year Financial and Asset Plans. This included opportunities for the community to learn more about the drafts and share their feedback between 20 August and 21 September 2025.  

We heard from a significant number of residents, city workers, property owners, visitors, students and business owners. 

The City of Melbourne Business Concierge team connected with businesses across the municipality during both phases of engagement, while our Neighbourhood Partners engaged with their networks and communities to encourage diverse community involvement. There were more than 900 interactions across a wide range of community events, meetings and programs to raise awareness of the suite of strategic documents throughout 2025, including Councillor-led listening posts.

Feedback received included strong support for the draft M2050 Vision and Council Plans, and the reasons why. Open-text responses also provided a deeper understanding of what is important to the community and our stakeholders. Through analysis of these responses the following themes emerged and informed amendments to the final documents:

• Governance and leadership: This included reference to Council Plan action in relation to a protest framework, implementation of the Council Plan, leadership and decision making and being future focused, First Nations commitment and financial sustainability. 
• Liveability: This included reference to movement and active transport, open space, building design and heritage, people-centred and liveable places, housing and population growth. 
• Identity and belonging: This included reference to the strengths of Melbourne’s identity, experiences and spaces for connection, and creative and cultural investment to support identity, cohesion and connection. 
• Community wellbeing: This included reference to healthy and safe communities, inclusion and equity, lived experience of specific cohorts, and cost of living. 
• Sustainability, climate and environment: This included reference to climate action and living sustainability, nature and biodiversity, regeneration, and pest management. 
• Economy and Innovation: This included reference to a fair economy, support to local business, creativity, innovation and education, and acknowledging the importance of tourism and visitors. 
• Amenity: This included reference to cleanliness of public spaces, and suggestions for improving specific public amenities. 

Based on the outcomes of phase two engagement, several amendments to the draft M2050 Vision and Council’s strategic plans were considered, prior to final endorsement by Council at the Council Meeting on 28 October 2025.

What do we want Melbourne to be known for in 2050? What do we need to do now to get there?

Over 10 weeks from 19 March to 31 May, we invited anyone with an interest in the future of our city to consider these questions and share their aspirations and ideas. This was the first phase of engagement with our community and stakeholders to develop the M2050 Vision and Council Plan (2025-2029).

The Melbourne 2050 Vision will set a 25-year blueprint for the type of global capital city we want Melbourne to be. The Council Plan will set Council’s priorities for the next four-year term (2025-2029) - guiding the work that will help us achieve the long-term vision.

Community input is a critical part of the process, ensuring we build a meaningful vision and identity for everyone who cares about our city’s future.

The first phase of engagement ran from 19 March to 31 May 2025. We offered a range of opportunities to participate:

• an online survey
• the M2050 Summit, a major event hosted by the Lord Mayor
• two bespoke roundtables to elevate young people and First Nations voices
• a People’s Panel.

The insights gathered will inform a draft M2050 Vision and a suite of draft strategic Council plans that we’ll share for community feedback in August and September this year. Follow the project to stay informed of future opportunities to help shape this important work.

We consistently heard rich insights throughout the engagement process, revealing a strong alignment to key themes. This has provided a clear mandate for Council in planning for a future in line with community aspirations and priorities.

People told us they want a future Melbourne that is:

• Accessible, with affordable housing, services, food systems, transport and education.
• Connected and intercultural.
• Country-centred, connected to First Nations culture, knowledge and systems.
• Exciting and engaging with arts, entertainment and creativity.
• Full of opportunity and choice - fostering business, nurturing new ideas and unlocking creativity and collaboration.
• Future-focused with an emphasis on regeneration principles.
• Green, with parks, open spaces and greenery across buildings and streets.
• Health and wellbeing-focused.
• People-first design.
• Safe and welcoming with fair leadership, governance and democracy.

See the Engagement Summary Report below for more detail on each of the engagement activities.

The insights from the first phase of engagement provided a strong understanding of community aspirations for the city. These insights helped inform our four interconnected draft strategic plans:

• M2050 Vision
• Council Plan 2025-2029 (incorporating the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan)
• 10-year Asset Plan
• 10-year Financial Plan

Community consultation on these draft documents was open from 21 August to 21 September 2025.