Council owns more than 1,900 properties across Hume, including land used for community facilities, recreation, open space, operations and other services.

As our community grows and changes, so does the need for how this land is used.

In response, Council has developed the Draft Strategic Property Management Framework (SPMF) to guide decisions about surplus properties, making sure they are used in ways that benefit the community - whether that’s through selling, developing, or repurposing them.

The SPMF sets out a structured process to assess the potential of vacant and underutilised land, taking into account place-based needs, financial and social value, legal requirements, and community input.

Download the Draft SPMF or check out the below for more information!

To view the above video with Arabic, Turkish, Assyrian, Vietnamese or Punjabi subtitles, click the top righthand 'playlist' button.

The SPMF sets out the principles, processes and decision-making criteria Council will follow to make decisions on:

The SPMF doesn’t cover everything. It doesn’t:

• decide what will happen to each piece of land. That’s done later, with community input for Council decision.
• include land owned by others or managed by other groups
• set the rules for things like parks, roads or community services. Other Council plans do that
• make changes to the way Council acquires land.

The following principles are set out in the SPMF:

The framework uses five stages to assess Council’s vacant land and determine the best outcome. The five stages are:

Stage 1: Assessment

Identify and assess sites using strategic, functional, and community benefit criteria.

Stage 2: Gateway Review

Evaluate strategic fit, risk, and financial implications before progressing.

Stage 3: Community Engagement

Engage with the relevant areas of the Hume community using methods that match the scale and impact of each proposal. These may include public notices, targeted surveys, community workshops, online feedback platforms, and direct consultation with affected stakeholders or interest groups.

Stage 4: Decision Pathways

Based on the outcomes of stages 1-3, Council determines the most appropriate course of action for each property, which may include:

1. Retention and maintenance for future strategic use
2. Strategic Investment, development or reuse to deliver community services or amenities
3. Lease arrangements under commercial principles
4. Disposal or divestment where surplus to Council needs or better outcomes can be achieved.

Stage 5: Implementation and Monitoring

Approved decisions are carried out (e.g., disposal, development, leasing) with communication strategies to keep stakeholders and the community informed. Outcomes are integrated into Council systems, and ongoing monitoring informs future reviews and strategy adjustments.

The SPMF helps Council make the most of land and buildings to benefit the whole community. It means:

• land isn’t wasted, it gets used in ways that help people.

• Council can sell land it doesn’t need and use the money for community projects

• places stay safe, clean, and useful for everyone

• Council can work with others to create jobs, homes, and better public spaces

• decisions are made fairly and openly, not just behind closed doors

• land is used in ways that match Council’s plans and community goals

• Council can plan for the future, not just fix problems when they pop up.

We’re inviting you to review the Draft SPMF and provide your feedback by:

filling out the short survey below

emailing your feedback to the Strategic Projects and Places Team

phoning us on 9205 2200.

posting to Hume City Council, PO Box 119, Dallas Vic 3047