Deputy Mayor - City of Melton - Mt Atkinson Ward Councillor. Focused on local issues, infrastructure, safety & community.
Delivery not just advocacy, committed to real outcomes. Posts & comments are mine & don’t represent Council’s official position Dr. Phillip Zada | Mount Atkinson Ward Councillor
As the inaugural councillor for Mount Atkinson Ward, I am honoured to serve the vibrant community of Melton City, where my journey as a long-time resident and advocate has always been inspired by a deep commitment to posi
07/06/2026
Bit of fun for the weekend… 🍕
What’s your go-to pizza topping?
I reckon there’s always one topping that quietly makes a pizza better, even if people pretend to disagree. 😅
Drop yours below, I’m curious to see what wins.
05/06/2026
🎉 A win for our community events!
One of my earliest Notices of Motion as a new Councillor was about making it easier, fairer and safer for local community and faith-based groups to run festivals and events across the City of Melton.
That motion has now helped lead to Council’s new Community Events Framework, giving organisers clearer guidance, streamlined processes, practical resources and dedicated support to help deliver safe, successful and well-managed community events.
Importantly, this framework can also deliver tangible savings in time, effort and money for community groups by creating a clearer, more unified approach to event permits, safety requirements, traffic management, grants and Council support. That means less time navigating red tape and more time bringing people together.
This is exactly what I hoped to see: less confusion, more support, and a fairer approach for the many groups who work so hard to celebrate culture, faith, connection and community.
A big thank you to Council officers for the work behind the scenes, and to my fellow Councillors for supporting this direction. Community events play such an important role in celebrating our diversity, strengthening local connections and bringing life to our public spaces.
👉 https://www.melton.vic.gov.au/Out-n-About/Events/Community-Event-Permits
This is a great step forward for our community. 🙌
05/06/2026
With the long weekend here, I hope everyone gets the chance to slow down, enjoy some time with family and friends, and make the most of the break.
For those travelling, please take care on the roads, be patient, drive safely, and look out for one another.
Wishing everyone a safe, relaxing and enjoyable long weekend. ❤️
Yesterday, I attended the Reconciliation event in Melton, coming together with community under this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme: All In.
“All In” is a reminder that reconciliation is not something we watch from the sidelines. It calls on all of us to listen, learn, show respect and take meaningful action, not just during Reconciliation Week, but every day.
Here in Melton, we are proud of our diverse and growing community. Reconciliation asks us to continue building stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, grounded in truth, respect and shared responsibility.
Thank you to everyone involved in bringing today’s event together, and to all who attended and showed that Melton is All In for reconciliation.
03/06/2026
The west is booming but long-promised infrastructure has not been delivered. An alliance of western councils is hoping that will change at this year's state election.
Click the link in the comments to find out more 👇
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31/05/2026
It was a pleasure to attend Djerriwarrh Community & Education Services’ 2025 Celebration and Awards Presentation.
Djerriwarrh has supported people across Melbourne’s west for many years through education, training, community programs and pathways that help people build confidence, skills and opportunity.
I was proud to be there representing Melton City Council, a council that continues to value and support organisations doing real work on the ground for our community.
Events like this are a reminder that when we back education, volunteers and community support, we are backing people, families and futures.
Congratulations to all the students, volunteers and award recipients recognised, and thank you to the Djerriwarrh team for the important work you continue to do across our region. 👏
30/05/2026
🎉 FAMILY TAKEOVER: 41 🎉
Today we’re stealing the spotlight for someone who is usually too busy shining it on everyone else.
Happy Birthday, Phill ❤️
You pour yourself into everything, family, community, ideas, causes, people and the million little things most will never see.
You can be in a meeting one minute, fixing something the next, making the kids laugh after that, and somehow still finding the energy to check in on someone who needs support.
That’s who you are.
Driven, generous, stubborn in the best way, full of heart, and always trying to leave things better than you found them.
But today is not about the work, the titles, or the next thing on the list.
Today is about you.
The dad we adore.
The husband we love.
The person who makes our home feel safe, loud, funny and full of life.
Happy 41st Birthday, Phill.
We love you more than you know, and we’re so proud to call you ours. ❤️🥂
28/05/2026
🚧 Current and upcoming roadworks.
Keep up to date on road projects to help plan your travel, with this handy guide. These are a mix of Council, Victorian Government and developer projects. For more information including detours, location maps and project details: melton.vic.gov.au/roadworks
🚧 Road closures:
🔴 Leakes Road, Rockbank: Leakes Road closes in both directions over the Western Freeway each night from this Sunday 31 May until Thursday 4 June from 9pm to 5am, for road resurfacing works. Detour via the Western Freeway and U-turn at Ferris Road or Hopkins Road.
🔴 Melton Valley Drive, Melton: Melton Valley Drive is temporarily closed at Federation Drive until 8 June 2026, for developer works. Access to Melton Valley Drive via High Street, with access to all businesses maintained.
🔴 Murphys Road, Exford: Murphys Road is temporarily closed at Exford Road until 30 June 2026, to upgrade to the intersection.
🔴 Banchory Avenue, Hillside: Banchory Avenue will be temporarily closed at the Melton Highway intersection until Friday 14 August 2026, for developer works.
🚧 Lane closures:
Please allow for extra travel time or use alternative routes:
🟠 Ferris Road, Cobblebank: nighttime southbound lane temporarily closed between Abey Road and Hollingsworth Drive between 8pm and 5am each night from Sunday 31 May to Thursday 4 June, for level crossing works. Detours will be in place via Abey, Exford and Bridge roads. For more https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/library/level-crossing-removal-project/geelong-ballarat/melton/works/ferris-road-may-works
🟠 Sinclairs Road: From Monday 25 May 2026 until Friday 24 July 2026 the northbound lane of Sinclairs Road will be closed, between Normanby Boulevard and Arkbar Avenue, for developer works. Detour via Arkbar Avenue and Duffy Road. Southbound lane will flow as per normal. Heavy vehicles detoured via Taylors Road, Caroline Springs Boulevard and Neale Road.
🟠 Boundary Road, Truganina: one lane temporarily closed between Hurst Drive and Woods Road for developer works from Monday 25 May to Friday 24 July. Traffic will travel through Boundary Road via shuttle flow under the control of traffic signals.
🟠 Grand Boulevard near Hopkins Road: One westbound lane is closed until Friday 5 June 2026 to upgrade the water main. One lane will always be open on Grand Boulevard in this direction; both lanes open in the easterly direction.
We appreciate these works can be frustrating. As a growing city we can't improve our roads and traffic movement without this sort of disruptions. We'll continue to let you know what is coming up, so you can plan accordingly.