Politics
Bundoora City Council Approves Community Services Allocation, Changing Resident Access to Local Programs
Bundoora residents face updated eligibility rules and service hours at community centers after the council passed its community services funding measure on July 7.
How we reported this
Bundoora City Council passed a measure on July 7 that reallocates $2.5 million within the community services budget for expanded outreach at three neighborhood centers. The vote affects residents who use programs for seniors, youth tutoring and family counseling. Council records show the measure passed 7-2 after two hours of debate on line-item changes.
The decision comes as the city prepares its mid-year budget adjustment. Council documents note that demand for after-school programs rose 14 percent between January and May 2026. Local service providers reported longer waitlists at the Bundoora Community Hub and the Greenhills Recreation Centre.
Changes to Service Delivery for Residents
Under the new allocation, the Greenhills centre will extend weekday operating hours by two hours starting September 1. Seniors who attend the daily lunch program will now qualify for an additional transport voucher each month. Youth aged 12 to 17 gain access to an extra tutoring slot per week at the Bundoora Community Hub, provided they live within the council's designated service boundary.
Family counseling sessions funded through the measure will increase from 120 to 180 slots per quarter. Residents who previously traveled to neighboring facilities may instead book appointments at the new satellite office on Plenty Road. The legislation states that priority goes to households already registered with the council's existing social services database.
Council budget papers list the total community services envelope at $12.4 million for the current fiscal year. Of that amount, $850,000 will cover new staffing costs at the three centres. The remaining funds support equipment purchases and contracted counselling hours.
Implementation Timeline and Next Actions
Staff will present detailed operational guidelines at the August council meeting. Applications for the expanded youth tutoring program open July 15 and close August 10. The government projects that 320 additional residents will use at least one service under the revised schedule by December 2026.
Residents can review the full meeting minutes and budget tables on the city website. Those seeking to confirm eligibility should contact the community services office by phone before the August deadline.