NAVIGATION

CoPP | GOV | HEARING | Your say: Help Shape Port Phillip’s Multicultural Strategy | closes Sunday 14 December 2025

[Edited extract from public address]

The City of Port Phillip is one of Victoria’s most culturally diverse areas.

    Community consultation is now open and runs until 14 December 2025. This four-year strategy will guide Council’s actions to:
    • Celebrate and promote cultural diversity
    • Build stronger social connections
    • Address racism, antisemitism and discrimination
    • Improve service access for all residents
    Visit the Have Your Say page to:
    • Complete the survey
    • Join a co-design workshop
    • Submit written feedback

    Key Insights About Our Community

    Population Diversity
    • 33.1% of residents were born overseas (up from 26.9% in 2006)
    • People come from 164 different birthplaces and speak 126 languages
    Languages & Emerging Trends
    • 21% speak a language other than English at home
    • Most common languages: Greek, Mandarin, Spanish, Italian, Russian
    • Emerging languages: Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Portuguese, French
    Religious & Cultural Diversity
    • Catholic (27.3%), Buddhism (3.3%), Judaism (3.3%), Hinduism (2.1%)
    Suburban Diversity Hotspots
    • Montague (Southbank): 38% born overseas
    • Lakeside (St Kilda Rd): 36% born overseas
    Age & Migration Patterns
    • 18% of residents are aged 60+, and 44% of them were born overseas
    • Older migrants concentrated in Balaclava, Port Melbourne, Elwood
    • Languages spoken by older residents: Greek, Russian, Italian, Polish
    Top Countries of Birth (non-English-speaking)
    • India, China, Vietnam, Colombia (largest recent increase), Malaysia, South Korea
    Future Growth Areas
    • Fisherman’s Bend and St Kilda Road expected to see increased cultural diversity
    Historical Context
    • Migration story begins with First Nations peoples, the Traditional Custodians of this land
    • Station Pier was a major arrival point for migrants post-WWII
    • Strong Greek and Jewish communities shaped Port Melbourne and St Kilda

    How You Can Help

    We encourage you to:
    • Display the poster in your centres (links below)
    • Encourage your clients to complete the survey online
    • Promote the strategy via the social media tiles 
    If your organisation or clients are interested in co-designing the strategy, visit the Have Your Say page and click Join a Co-Design Workshop.

    Resources for You

    Get Involved
    Email diversity@portphillip.vic.gov.au for multilingual materials or more information.

    Together, we can create a strategy that reflects and supports our diverse community.

    MORE:

    City of Port Phillip (CoPP)
    Address: 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC 3182 Australia
    Telephone: 03 9209 6655

    City of Port Phillip Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the people of the Kulin Nations. ​We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land.