Pre Conference Study Tour

This program is designed to facilitate sharing information and best practise on projects within our own country. Participants will have the unique chance to interact with senior leadership teams, gain insights into innovative projects, and experience first-hand the impactful work being done to meet community aspirations. By participating in the pre conference study tour, professionals can broaden their perspectives, exchange ideas, and bring back valuable knowledge to their own organisations, ultimately contributing to the advancement of sustainable and community-focused infrastructure. Participants of the study tour have the following included in their registration:

Curated Council visits, where you will learn about projects from other councils

• Meeting the senior leadership teams at each visit
• Transport for the council visits
• Welcome orientation dinner Monday
• Conference VIP Dinner Tuesday
• Lunch Tuesday

Monday 15 June

We commence our study tour experience with a networking dinner with all the other delegates at 6.30pm

Tuesday 16 June

Today we will meet in the hotel foyer at 8.50am for departure at 9.00am where we will head to our first visit

Arrive Maribyrnong City Council 9.30am

Like many councils across Australia, Maribyrnong City Council is responding to a set of complex and interconnected challenges across its activity centres, including declining high street activity, homelessness and antisocial behaviour. These pressures have had real impacts on perceptions of safety, levels of visitation and the overall vitality of key public spaces. In response, Council has adopted a coordinated, place-based approach that brings together social infrastructure investment with targeted public realm improvements.

Through a partnership with the Victorian Government and the Salvation Army, Council has supported the delivery of a new Health and Community Hub in central Footscray. The facility is designed to respond to ongoing social challenges by providing targeted health, wellbeing and support services for vulnerable community members, alongside coordinated outreach and referral pathways. This investment recognises that long-term improvements in safety and amenity are closely linked to access to appropriate support and services.

This work has been complemented by a renewed focus on placemaking and public space activation. Projects such as the Maddern Square upgrade have transformed a space previously associated with antisocial behaviour into a more active and welcoming community environment. As part of the project, Council worked with a local artist to develop a major public artwork that reflects the identity and presence of Footscray’s African and multicultural communities. Alongside improvements to lighting, landscaping, seating and recreation infrastructure, the integration of locally grounded public art has helped re-establish Maddern Square as a place for positive use, informal recreation and community connection. Together, these initiatives reflect Council’s broader commitment to revitalisation, safety and inclusive public spaces across Footscray and the wider municipality.

Many councils are also rethinking how civic buildings can be repurposed to better serve their communities, with a strong focus on sustainability, accessibility, and maximising public use. The Maribyrnong Civic Precinct and Community Hub exemplifies this shift, transforming the historic Footscray Town Hall from a primarily administrative facility into a vibrant, inclusive civic destination. The project combines the sensitive restoration of the heritage Town Hall with a new civic building and a generous community park, significantly increasing the amount of flexible, publicly accessible space available for civic services, events, and everyday community use. The new civic building is on track to achieve a six‑star Green Star Design rating, supported by environmentally responsible materials, a 70kW solar system, rainwater harvesting, and an all‑electric thermal plant.

Depart Maribyrnong City Council 11.30, arrive Lilydale 12.30 where we will enjoy a short lunch.

Arrive Yarra Ranges Council 1.30pm

We will begin our visit with Yarra Ranges Council, exploring the journey and success of its approach to Indigenous inclusion. Located on Wurundjeri, Bunurong and Taungurung Country of the Kulin Nation, it has required careful, respectful engagement and a deep understanding of place. Through robust and ongoing conversations with Traditional Owners and the Yarra Ranges Indigenous Advisory Committee, Council embeds Indigenous perspectives from the outset, ensuring decision‑making is informed by cultural knowledge and lived experience. This collaborative approach leads to meaningful and enduring outcomes for the organisation and community, demonstrating how genuine partnership can shape places that are culturally grounded, inclusive, and reflective of Country.

The Biochar Facility represents a pioneering step in environmental innovation, recognised as one of the first initiatives of its kind within Australian local government. Delivered through a unique public‑private partnership with Earth Systems and ECOSS, the facility reimagines how councils can manage organic waste by converting woody material into high‑value biochar and wood vinegar. This circular approach delivers multiple environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration, improved soil health, and enhanced air quality, while turning what was once a waste stream into a valuable resource.

Since commencing operations in October 2023, the facility has processed more than 3000 cubic metres of woody waste, producing 866 cubic metres of biochar and 15,500 litres of wood vinegar, and sequestering approximately 595 tonnes of CO₂e. Established in response to the growing challenges of sustainable waste management, climate change mitigation, and disaster resilience, the project demonstrates a scalable and forward‑thinking model for local government leadership.

The Monbulk Microgrid is an innovative, community‑centred model for climate resilience and energy transition, demonstrating how local infrastructure can strengthen disaster preparedness while advancing renewable energy goals. Developed in response to the June 2021 storms, the Microgrid connects two critical community buildings, enabling them to share solar generation and battery storage during grid outages. This approach creates a low‑emissions, future‑ready resilience hub that supports community continuity during emergencies while contributing to Council’s broader commitment to increasing renewable energy.

Depart Yarra Ranges Council 4pm arrive back to the hotel approximately 5pm

Chance to freshen up before we join the VIP dinner at 6.30pm, venue to be confirmed.