Celebrating the future in the 2024/25 Annual Report
Published on 23 October 2025
Council has endorsed its 2024/25 Annual Report, celebrating a year of progress, resilience and collaboration as we continue building a city that reflects the aspirations of our community.
The report highlights Council’s achievements and its ongoing commitment to creating sustainable, inclusive and connected neighbourhoods where everyone can thrive.
City of Maribyrnong Mayor, Cr Pradeep Tiwari, said the past financial year was one of transformation and renewal.
“It has been a time to reflect on the foundations that have shaped us, while stepping forward with clarity and confidence,” Mayor Tiwari said.
“With the support of our community and the leadership of our new Council, we’re creating a City that is inclusive, sustainable and full of opportunity,” he said.
This year marked the final year of the Council Plan 2021-25, with 89% of planned actions completed, with the remaining 11% in progress.
Highlights in the last financial year include:
New and returning Councillors
Guiding us into this next chapter is a newly elected Council, bringing fresh energy and diverse voices to the table. Following the 2024 Local Government election, five first-time Councillors – Samantha Meredith, Elena Pereyra, Mohamed Semra, Pradeep Tiwari and Susan Yengi – joined returning Councillors Cuc Lam and Bernadette Thomas. This shift in leadership marked a significant moment for the City of Maribyrnong, as we embrace new perspectives and ideas to help shape our evolving City.
A new civic heart for the City
A key highlight was the official opening of the Civic Precinct and Community Hub in February 2025, delivering a dynamic new community space and restoring the heritage-listed Footscray Town Hall. The accompanying park – balit bargoongagat banhul (“strong people linked together park”) – was endorsed following community engagement and honours our First Nations community. The Precinct is also on track to achieve a 6 Star Green Star sustainability rating.
Investing in a sustainable future
Council secured a $2.5 million Federal Government grant, matched by Council, to electrify the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre. The project will cut more than 1,200 tonnes of carbon emissions annually and save around $400,000 in energy costs each year.
Empowering young people
Council’s commitment to community voice was further strengthened through the launch of the Youth Hub, an online platform co-designed with young people to ensure their perspectives are heard and included in Council decision-making.
A creative city on the rise
Maribyrnong continued to invest in its creative future, endorsing New Horizons: Creative Maribyrnong 2030, a five-year strategy to support local artists, creative industries and cultural participation. With the sector contributing over $639 million annually to the local economy, the strategy positions creativity as central to the City’s identity and growth.
Council also welcomed a $5 million Federal Government commitment, matched by Council, to progress the design phase of Creative West – a proposed cultural precinct in Footscray featuring a contemporary library, performance spaces and community areas for learning and collaboration.
Download a copy of the 24/25 Annual Report below.
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