MAVlab Innovation Videos and Photos
Bringing council innovation to life through video and photography.
Stories help ideas travel. Through photography and videography, we can share the people, places, challenges and innovations behind council work in ways that build understanding, spark conversations and inspire action across the sector.
The projects featured on this page were selected from MAVlab Innovation Awards finalists and represent a diverse range of councils, communities, services, geographies and challenges.
The MAVlab Innovation Awards identify and celebrate some of the most innovative work happening across local government each year. Building on that program, MAVlab captures a selection of finalist projects through professional photography and video, helping bring these stories to life and making it easier for councils to learn from one another.
By showcasing real projects, people and places, this collection creates a visual record of local government innovation in action and supports the sharing of ideas, approaches and lessons across Victoria.
Across 2025 and 2026, we created:
- 11 short films
- More than 1,000 photographs
- Featuring 13 Victorian councils.
Explore the videos and photography below to discover projects making a difference in communities across Victoria. You'll also find this content embedded within the MAVlab Innovation Case Study Library.
For enquiries, contact MAVlab@asn.au
2026
Doing Planning Differently, Murrindindi Shire Council
Murrindindi Shire turned a rural housing and workforce crisis into a delivery pipeline. In a post-disaster, hazard-exposed Shire, we have connected design, housing and township planning to shift from strategy to action, unlocking key worker housing, directing growth to safer serviced locations and giving small rural communities a practical model for resilience-led place-making.
Energy Resilient Community Hubs, Bass Coast Shire Council
Bass Coast shire has partnered with local communities, industry, response agencies and government to deliver catalytic uplift in energy resilience across Bass Coast. Council has delivered 10 Energy Resilient Community Hubs at key sites with co-located community services, creating an eco-system of all-hazards resilience, supported by strong investment in social capital with local networks.
Engaging Fathers, Strengthening Families: MCH and Dads Group Collaboration, City of Stonnington
A collaborative initiative between Stonnington Maternal and Child Health Services (MCH) and Dads Group to actively engage fathers in early parenting. The program integrates father-inclusive practice into MCH services, delivers targeted events, and strengthens referral pathways—improving connection, parenting confidence, and mental wellbeing for fathers and their families.
Stronger Together: A Shared Cyber Security Model for Local Government, City of Greater Bendigo
An innovative shared cyber security model redefining how councils access critical capability. Leveraging a flexible, fit-for-purpose managed SOC/SIEM solution, this initiative enables affordable, scalable protection for diverse environments. Led by the City of Greater Bendigo, it pioneers a new approach to shared services, delivering practical and affordable innovation that can be replicated across the local government sector.
Talking Kingston, City of Kingston
Talking Kingston is Kingston City Council’s year-round engagement platform, giving residents and businesses ongoing opportunities to influence Council priorities and investment decisions. By moving beyond traditional annual consultation, Talking Kingston creates a two-way conversation between Council and community, ensuring feedback is heard, acted upon and reflected in projects and services that shape Kingston's future.
Photo highlights
We've selected a collection of photographs to share below from the more than 500 images captured in 2026. While many feature within individual case studies, you'll also see them showcased across MAV communications.
Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram as we continue sharing the stories of Victorian councils, the people behind innovative projects, and the communities they serve.
(Click on any photo to see a larger version)
 Energy Resilient Community Hubs Bass Coast Shire Council |  Homelessness in Bass Coast Bass Coast Shire Council |  Stronger Together: A Shared Cybersecurity Model for Local Government Greater Bendigo City Council |  Stronger Together: A Shared Cybersecurity Model for Local Government Greater Bendigo City Council |
2025
AI, Innovation and Leadership, Whitehorse City Council
Lisa Ippolito is a continuous improvement specialist turned AI capability leader who has led a council-wide shift to explore and adopt generative AI at Whitehorse City Council. With no official brief or budget, Lisa has built guidelines, programs, networks, training, and real-time pilots, all while lifting sector capability and confidence.
Since joining Whitehorse City Council as CEO in 2019, Simon McMillan has led the organisation through COVID-19 recovery and major transformation. Navigating rapid growth and state-led infrastructure projects, he champions integrity, collaboration, and strong partnerships. Simon fosters a culture of staff engagement, ensuring employees feel valued and empowered as the organisation evolves to meet future challenges.
View the full case studies:
Community Infrastructure for Flood Recovery and Resilience, Mount Alexander Shire Council
Following the October 2022 floods, Mount Alexander Shire Council launched a Flood Recovery and Resilience Program. Funded by Emergency Recovery Victoria and shaped through workshops with over 100 community members and partners, the program is delivering a series of projects that are strengthening local connection and building long-term resilience and recovery infrastructure.
The Harbour: Social Housing Pilot, Darebin City Council
This project is piloting the long-term lease (50 years) of underutilised council-owned land to deliver social housing. Following extensive community engagement and an expression of interest process, the site was leased to a community housing provider, Housing Choices Australia. Completed in August 2023, the development delivers 39 high-quality, sustainably designed social housing dwellings by Six Degrees Architects while retaining public parking and trees to support long-term community housing needs.
Melbourne’s Stormwater Sensing, Melbourne City Council
Running from early 2024 to June 2025, the Stormwater Sensing Pilot trialled smart sensors in 30 drains to monitor water levels, blockages, and debris in real time. Led by the Smart City Incubator, it enabled proactive maintenance, featured co-designed signage, and public education. Now operationalised, it improves asset management, with value shown through early interventions and reduced unplanned maintenance.
Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre and Solar Saver, Darebin City Council
Completed in 2023, the all-electric Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre is a 6-Star Green Star facility powered by renewables, featuring water reuse systems, green infrastructure, and a 450kW solar array. Replacing a gas-powered centre, it advances climate action and community wellbeing. A RecycleSmart partnership supports waste recovery, with impact measured through emissions, waste diversion, and user satisfaction.
Solar Saver (2014–2025) is a council-led program offering solar and efficient systems with no upfront cost and 10-year interest-free loans. Supporting over 2,000 households — 60% low-income or vulnerable — it has installed 8,800 kW of solar, cut 122,000 tonnes of CO₂, and generated $16M in local economic activity, advancing climate resilience, equity, and community-wide electrification.
Public Art Conservation Project, Ballarat City Council
Launched in 2023, the City of Ballarat’s Public Art Conservation Management Program supports its $20M public art collection — one of Australia’s most significant regional collections. Led by the Public Art Officer, the program includes a digital database, condition assessments, and annual conservation planning. Success is measured by completed restorations, improved condition ratings, and growing community engagement, including philanthropic support.
Photography in 2025
In addition to the six projects featured in the videos above, we visited four other finalist project sites in 2025 to capture photographs that showcase a broader range of council initiatives and local contexts.
View these photos in the following case studies:
- Innovation Case Study: Beach Safety: Innovation and Collaboration in Bass Coast | MAV website
- Innovation Case Study: Climate Action Living Lab (CALL) | MAV website
- Innovation Case Study: Shaping the Future of Noojee | MAV website
- Innovation Case Study: Our Country, Our Way | MAV website
Photo highlights
(Click on any photo to see a larger version)
