VIC · Melbourne — inner west, on Port Phillip Bay · Local council, made simple
Hobsons Bay City Council
A bayside council in Melbourne's inner west, home to about 97,000 people. It covers Williamstown, Newport, Spotswood, Altona, Altona Meadows, Seabrook and Laverton. 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: residential rates +1.84% on average
Open →Budget & financesHobsons Bay's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $2,677 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyHobsons Bay's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
6 of 11 offence rates below the Victorian rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Diana Grima (2025–26)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Hobsons Bay's wards vote, and the 2024 results.
Next election: Sat 28 Oct 2028 (by post)
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council: phone, email, service centres and hours.
Phone: 1300 179 944
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 97,031 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
4 updatesRecent items from Hobsons Bay City Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Council meeting
September council meeting: long-term planning framework endorsed, Kororoit Creek trail contract awarded
Council endorsed 'Planning for Hobsons Bay 2026–51', awarded the contract for stages 4 and 5 of the Kororoit Creek shared trail, and received an interim 2025–26 financial report showing an operating surplus of $10.28 million before audit.
What this means for you: Construction of the trail link is expected to start before the end of 2026. The meeting recording and minutes are on the council's website.
- Development
Wetlands Centre stage 1 works open
The first stage of the future Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre has opened, with landscaped spaces, walking trails, boardwalks and a conservation area. The council has committed $5 million to stage 2 and is seeking a further $5 million.
What this means for you: Stage 2, a working wetlands centre with education facilities, depends on further funding the council is seeking.
- Policy
Rates notices reissued after ESVF levy error
The council found the state Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy had been under-calculated on rates notices sent in early August, and reissued corrected notices from early September. It says over 90% of ratepayers were affected and no one was overcharged.
What this means for you: Use the reissued notice dated 27/08/2026. Instalment due dates are unchanged; the first is 30 September.
- Policy
Budget 2026–27 adopted
Council adopted its 2026–27 budget, with a $59.7 million capital works program, a $5.7 million operating surplus and more than $2.5 million of debt repaid. Residential rates rise by an average of 1.84%, below the 2.75% state cap.
What this means for you: Your 2026–27 rates notice is based on this budget.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Hobsons Bay City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.