Port Phillip residents will soon be invited to help shape two major council strategies focused on creativity and multiculturalism, with both draft documents set to open for public consultation after council consideration on Wednesday.
The draft Creative Port Phillip 2026–2031 and Multicultural Strategy 2026–2031 outline how council plans to strengthen the city’s cultural life, support diverse communities and build a more inclusive future. Together, they present a vision for a city that is both creatively vibrant and socially connected.
The Creative Port Phillip strategy aims to embed arts, culture and creativity more deeply into everyday life across the municipality. It recognises Port Phillip’s long-standing creative identity and proposes stronger support for artists, creative businesses and cultural organisations. The draft also responds to growing pressures on the sector, including rising costs and a shortage of affordable spaces, with proposed actions such as strengthening flagship festivals, improving access to funding and protecting creative infrastructure. It also highlights the importance of First Peoples’ leadership and cultural authority in shaping the city’s creative future.
According to the draft, implementation in 2026–27 is intended to be supported through existing business-as-usual activity, along with the reallocation of $450,000 a year from the St Kilda Festival budget.
The strategy points to the scale of the local creative economy, noting that arts and recreation services account for more than 600 registered businesses in Port Phillip, employ more than 2,200 people and generate about $570 million in annual output. It also identifies more than 200 screen-related businesses operating across the municipality.
The draft Multicultural Strategy sets out a vision for a Port Phillip where multiculturalism is reflected in daily life and grounded in the sovereignty of First Nations peoples. It focuses on building trust, safety and fairness, with priorities that include fostering belonging, improving access to information and support, empowering diverse communities, and creating more opportunities for participation. The document also acknowledges the realities many residents face, including social isolation, financial stress and discrimination.
Council says the strategy would be delivered over five years through a mix of existing operational budgets, the Community Grants Program and the Social Cohesion budget.
The draft highlights Port Phillip’s cultural diversity, stating that residents come from 164 countries and speak 126 languages. Among the largest non-English-speaking countries of birth are India, China, Greece, Malaysia, Colombia, Italy, South Africa, Germany, France and the Philippines.
It also points to the municipality’s religious diversity, with Catholicism the largest faith group, followed by Anglican, Greek Orthodox, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, other Christian denominations and Islam.
There is also a draft Days of Significance Calendar
Both draft strategies are expected to be released for public comment following council consideration on Wednesday.
Residents will be able to review the documents and share their views through the Port Phillip Have Your Say platform.
