VIC · Melbourne — inner south-eastern suburbs · Local council, made simple
Glen Eira City Council
A council in Melbourne's inner south-east, about 10 km from the CBD, home to about 163,000 people. It covers Caulfield, Elsternwick, Carnegie, Murrumbeena, Bentleigh and Bentleigh East. The council runs your bins, local roads and footpaths, parks, libraries and planning, and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, followed by what affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how your bill is worked out, and when it's due.
2026–27: average rates +5% (ESC-approved higher cap)
Open →Budget & financesGlen Eira's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,577 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyGlen Eira's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
All 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Dr Simone Zmood (2025–26)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Glen Eira's wards vote, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, counter hours and address.
Phone: 03 9524 3333
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 163,025 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
6 updatesRecent items from Glen Eira City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Council's public EV chargers become a paid service from 1 October
From Thursday 1 October 2026, the council's public electric vehicle chargers charge $0.25 per kWh, plus an overstay fee of $1 per minute after the advertised parking time limit. The council says the fees are meant to keep chargers available, and that the revenue goes to its general budget.
What this means for you: If you charge at a council EV charger, use the Chargefox app to see current prices and start a session.
- Have your say
Draft designs out for the former East Boundary Road Traffic School site
The council asked for feedback on two concept designs for a public open space with cycling features for young children at the former traffic school site in Bentleigh East. Feedback closed on Sunday 27 September 2026.
What this means for you: The council says the feedback will inform the final design.
- Waste
Batteries in bins caused two waste truck fires in June
The council reports two truck fires in Glen Eira in June 2026, likely caused by lithium-ion batteries placed in recycling bins. No one was injured. It says the trucks' contents could not be recycled and went to landfill.
What this means for you: Take batteries and small electronics to the council's e-waste stations (Glen Eira Libraries, GESAC and Moorleigh Community Village) instead of any bin.
- Policy
Council adopts a Strategic Asset Reserve Policy
The council has adopted a policy creating a dedicated reserve fund for future community infrastructure, as an action of its Financial Sustainability Strategy 2025–2029. Projects seeking money from the reserve will be assessed against published criteria, including community benefit, equity and accessibility, environmental sustainability and readiness to proceed.
What this means for you: The policy document on the council's page sets out how future infrastructure projects will be prioritised.
- Policy
ESC approves a 5% rate cap for Glen Eira for 2026–27
The Essential Services Commission approved the council's application for a one-year higher rate cap of 5% for 2026–27, against the statewide cap of 2.75%. Glen Eira was the only council to apply this year. The council says the extra increase is for one year and will raise about $3 million to help maintain services and infrastructure.
What this means for you: Average general rates rise 5% in 2026–27. Your own bill depends on your property's value and your waste service; if you're struggling to pay, the council has a hardship policy.
- Election
Cr Dr Simone Zmood re-elected Mayor for 2025–26
The councillors re-elected Cr Dr Simone Zmood (Orrong Ward) as Mayor for 2025–26, her second term as Mayor, and elected Cr Li Zhang (Wattle Grove Ward) as Deputy Mayor.
What this means for you: The councillors choose the Mayor each year; the 2026 vote date wasn't published when we checked.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Glen Eira City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.