VIC · Melbourne — inner south, bayside · Local council, made simple
Port Phillip City Council
A council on Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne's inner south, home to about 114,000 people. It runs along the bay from Port Melbourne through South Melbourne, Albert Park, Middle Park and St Kilda to Elwood, and inland to Balaclava and Ripponlea. The council runs your bins, local roads and footpaths, parks and foreshore, 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 general rates +2.75% (state cap)
Open →Budget & financesPort Phillip's financial indicators, each shown next to the Victorian median.
Average rate per property: $1,765 (Vic median $1,937)
Open →Crime & safetyPort Phillip's recorded offence rates, side by side with the Victorian rate.
10 of 11 offence rates above the Victorian rate (rates are per resident)
Open →Mayor & councillorsYour ward councillor, the Mayor, and how to contact them.
Mayor: Cr Alex Makin (2025–26)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, how Port Phillip'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 9209 6777
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: 114,434 (ABS, June 2025)
Open →What's happening
4 updatesRecent items from Port Phillip City Council's public channels, in plain language.
We check Port Phillip City Council's website every day, but we can't read it. It refuses requests from our collector, so anything below was recorded by hand and may be out of date. This says nothing about what the council has published — these are the pages we watch:
- Policy
Budget 2026/27 adopted: average rates +2.75%, waste charge $278
At a Special Council Meeting on 29 June 2026 the council adopted Year 2 of the Plan for Port Phillip 2025–35 and the 2026–27 budget. Average general rates rise 2.75%, in line with the state cap. The default waste charge rises $47.70 to $278. The budget includes $123.1 million of capital works and initiatives.
What this means for you: Rates notices go out in August. Your bill can change by more or less than 2.75%, depending on your property's value and type and your waste services.
Source: City of Port Phillip — News
- Council meeting
Council meeting catchup: Plan for Port Phillip Year 2 adopted
The 29 June 2026 Special Council Meeting adopted Year 2 of the Plan for Port Phillip 2025–35, which combines the Community Vision, Council Plan, health and wellbeing plan, 10-year Financial Plan, Asset Plan, Revenue and Rating Plan and the 2026–27 budget.
What this means for you: The adopted Plan sets what the council will fund and deliver this year. Recordings of council meetings are on the council's webcast site.
Source: City of Port Phillip — News
- Waste
Glass drop-off now open at the Resource Recovery Centre
Residents can now drop off domestic quantities of glass bottles and jars at the Resource Recovery Centre in South Melbourne. The council's communal glass and FOGO hubs keep operating.
What this means for you: Remove lids and rinse bottles and jars before dropping them off. Labels can stay on.
Source: City of Port Phillip — News
- Election
Cr Alex Makin elected Mayor for 2025–26
At a Special Council Meeting on 12 November 2025, the councillors elected Cr Alex Makin (Montague Ward) as Mayor. Cr Bryan Mears (Lakeside Ward) continues as Deputy Mayor.
What this means for you: The councillors choose the Mayor each year. The next vote is at the Special Meeting of Council on 11 November 2026.
Source: City of Port Phillip — News
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Port Phillip City Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.