Whittlesea's community grants program has allocated more than $1.8 million to 198 applicants across the 2025-26 financial year. The funds support community-led projects, initiatives and events, along with community groups, businesses, sporting groups, individuals and emergency services. A council summary presented at the 20 October meeting showed 27 applicants approved for over $173,000 in the final quarter, including 11 under the Business to Business Grants Program. Mayor Lawrie Cox said the council was proud to support so many groups. Funded events include Northern Diwali in South Morang on 31 October and the Whittlesea Show on 7 and 8 November.
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The City of Whittlesea has called for a moratorium on data centre approvals until new Victorian Government planning reforms are finalised and built into planning schemes. The council resolved the position at its meeting on 20 October 2026. It will write to the Victorian Premier and ministers seeking greater transparency, stronger planning controls and meaningful consultation. The council also opposes the State Government's use of the Development Facilitation Program to approve a data centre at 525 McDonalds Road, South Morang, and wants a hold on the current application at 165 Williamsons Road, South Morang.
The Whittlesea Show is returning for 2026, marking its 167th year under the theme The Greatest Show. Society president Celina Mott said the event has grown from a one-day fair into a two-day event drawing more than 25,000 visitors. It runs on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, from 9am to 5pm daily, at the Whittlesea Showgrounds. Visitors can enjoy rides, exhibits, market stalls, music, food, drinks and animals. Adult tickets cost $28 on the day or $18 online, children aged five to 14 pay $8 or $5, and children four and under enter free.
The City of Whittlesea has completed a review of its Planning Scheme, setting out five priorities to guide growth and development. The priorities cover modernising planning policy, improving neighbourhood design, aligning growth with infrastructure, strengthening environmental protections and recognising Traditional Owner values. Councillors endorsed the Planning Scheme Review Report on 20 October, and it will now be submitted to the Minister for Planning. Mayor Lawrie Cox said the review gives the city a clear roadmap for well-designed housing, jobs and sustainable neighbourhoods.
The City of Whittlesea has endorsed its Annual Report 2025-2026, which outlines the projects and services delivered over the last financial year. Council worked on more than 130 infrastructure projects under an $87 million capital works program. Major works included the Aboriginal Gathering Place, the Granite Hills Major Community Park and the murnong Community Centre in Donnybrook. Council also consulted residents on more than 50 projects and provided $1.8 million in community grants.
The City of Whittlesea is marking National Recycling Week, running from 9 to 15 November 2026, by encouraging residents to find new ways to reduce waste and reuse items. Planet Ark leads the national campaign, which highlights how recycling benefits both the environment and the economy. Free community events include a mending session at Thomastown Library on 7 November, a clothing and textiles recycling day at Whittlesea Showgrounds on 18 November, and a homemade holiday decorations workshop on 19 November. A Circular Fashion Market at the South Morang Civic Centre carpark follows on 22 November.
Whittlesea volunteer Raymundo Rosales has been recognised with the Ageing Victorian Senior Achiever Award at the 2026 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards. He has volunteered with several groups, including the Mernda CFA, which he joined in 2005 after starting with South Morang CFA. Since 2009 he has supported refugees, asylum seekers and victims of domestic violence through the St Vincent de Paul Society. Rosales said he was surprised by the honour and wants to share the recognition with the volunteers he works alongside.
Whittlesea council has called for a moratorium on data centre approvals. At its October 20 meeting, councillor Jarrod Lappin moved the motion, which also expresses disapproval of the state government's use of the developer facilitation program. The program approved a data centre at McDonalds Road, South Morang, which council had objected to in 2024. Mayor Lawrie Cox said he was absolutely disgusted with the planning minister's process. Hume and Melton councils are also calling for a moratorium, and Whittlesea has urged other councils to follow suit. Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny was contacted for comment.
The City of Whittlesea allocated more than $1.8 million in community grants to 198 applicants across the 2025-2026 financial year. The figures were presented to council on 20 October 2026. In the final quarter, 27 applicants received a total of $173,396, including 11 under the Business to Business Grants Program. Funding supports events, programs, individual artists and athletes, emergency services, seniors clubs and Neighbourhood Houses. Mayor Lawrie Cox said the program keeps the community connected and active.
The City of Whittlesea is asking residents to back a campaign for a full upgrade of Donnybrook Road. Council says the road is operating well beyond its capacity, causing congestion and delays for commuters. Rapid population growth is adding pressure on the route, which affects access to work, school, public transport and essential services. Council is urging the Victorian Government to commit to the upgrades. Residents can add their voice through the Engage Whittlesea page, where they can contact the Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety.
Allowances for Whittlesea's mayor, councillors and deputy mayor have changed from 1 July 2026. The mayor's allowance rose from $146,000 to more than $157,000, and councillors' allowances increased from almost $42,000 to $49,000. The deputy mayor's allowance fell to just over $64,000, down from just over $73,000. It is now calculated as a loading on the base councillor allowance. A tribunal decided this method better reflects the deputy mayor's extra duties compared with a councillor's, while recognising those duties are more limited than the mayor's. A transitional arrangement means the reduced rate takes effect after the November mayoral election.
The City of Whittlesea has launched a Home Energy Program to help local households reduce energy costs and make informed choices about energy use. The program offers practical advice on energy-efficient homes and on taking first steps toward electric appliances. Free events throughout the year will let residents speak with experts. A free home energy assessment will be available soon, along with Speed Date sessions with specialists and a Home Energy Expo. Mayor Lawrie Cox said the program helps residents work out what suits their home and budget.
Melton, Hume and Whittlesea have recorded Victoria's highest rates of car key cloning, according to Victoria Police. Police seized more than 900 devices used by car thieves across the state in the past year, with 43 per cent taken in the north-west metro region. Police estimate more than 10,000 vehicles are stolen using cloning devices each year. Toyota Corollas, Landcruisers, Holden Commodores, Hiluxs, Rav 4s and Subaru Imprezas are among the most targeted. Police advise owners to fit an on-board diagnostic port lock and a steering wheel lock.
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Lalor's laneways in Melbourne's north are set for new murals, light projections and public art under Whittlesea council's Lively Lalor project. A free community pop-up at Peter Lalor Walk on Saturday 24 October, from 10am to 1pm, will let locals meet the selected artists. Mayor Lawrie Cox said the project celebrates the area's diverse community. Artworks will be rolled out across 2026-27, with installation expected to begin in December this year and a community celebration planned for February 2027.
Whittlesea's Diwali festival returns this Friday, 31 October, for its ninth year. Organised by Mission Smile Inc with support from the Whittlesea council's community grants program, the event will feature a live DJ, fireworks, a marketplace with food stalls, traditional sweets and henna tattoo artists. Surprise acts are also planned. Bollywood dance workshops are free to join, and everyone of all ages is welcome, including first-time visitors. Diwali is a festival of light over darkness and good over evil, spanning five days and rooted in a centuries-old Indian tradition.
Victoria Police have seized more than 900 key cloning devices in the past year, mostly during raids and intercepts in Melbourne's North West Metro policing region. Police estimate more than 10,000 vehicles are stolen each year using the small wireless gadgets, which copy signals from car keys. Detective Inspector Julie Macdonald urged motorists to protect their vehicles by fitting a port lock and a steering wheel lock, and by parking off the street. Keys should be kept in signal-blocking bags when not in use. Push-start Toyotas and Subarus are among the most at-risk models.
