An update from the most recent Council Meeting that took place on 16 September 2025.
More information is available at 2025 Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
Planning Activity Update and Delegate Decisions including Planning Scheme Amendment Update
This report provided Council with an update on:
- the status of Planning Permit Applications in August 2025,
- decisions made under delegated authority in August 2025 and
- the status of current Planning Scheme Amendments over the same period.
In August 2025 Council officers made 65 planning determinations and 20 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 61 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 61 applications is $16.56 million.
At the end of August 2025, there were five appeals lodged at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that had not yet been determined. This is one more than at the end of August 2024.
There are currently two Planning Scheme Amendments where Council is the Planning Authority or has requested the Minister to prepare an amendment under section 20(4) of the Act, including Amendment C219brim (Heritage Update) and Amendment C239brim (Housing and Neighbourhood Character Strategy), which were submitted for authorisation on 20 December 2022 and 19 July 2024 respectively.
In August Council sent letters to stakeholders giving notice of the preparation of Amendment C219brim – Heritage Update and that the exhibition period concludes on 10 October 2025. Amendment C219brim updates heritage properties in the Grand Junction and Matthews Hill Estate precincts and includes Beaufort Houses and Quonset Warehouse.
Council is yet to receive a decision from the Minster regarding authorisation of Amendment C239brim.
Draft St Albans Place Management Framework greenlit for consultation
Council has endorsed the draft St Albans Place Management Framework for community consultation. The Framework aims to strengthen economic development, improve safety and amenity, build partnerships, and support ongoing activation and investment in the St Albans Town Centre.
The draft Framework also identifies eight priorities that respond to feedback from businesses, community members and local stakeholders. The Framework involves annual action planning by council departments, resourcing through Council budget and regular progress reporting.
A program of monitoring is also proposed to assess the effectiveness of the Framework which will include customer and business surveying. In coming years, the Framework will support the delivery of more than $12 million in investment, including the Alfrieda Street Masterplan and Library Redevelopment, while continuing programs such as cleaning and maintenance, place management and community events.
Community feedback is invited over a four-week period (from 22 September) via Council’s Have Your Say portal with information to be translated into Vietnamese – and promoted via Council’s social media channels.
Council Endorses Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026–2029 for Consultation
Council has endorsed the Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026–2029 for community feedback.
Prepared in line with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, the Plan provides a four-year framework for managing dogs and cats in Brimbank. It sets out programs and strategies to support responsible pet ownership, encourage registration and microchipping, and ensure compliance with animal management laws.
The Draft Plan also outlines actions to reduce over-population and high euthanasia rates, manage dangerous or restricted breed dogs, and minimise nuisance issues such as barking, roaming and litter. Importantly, it also addresses community safety by reducing the risk of dog attacks, while promoting positive relationships between pets, their owners and the wider community.
The Plan applies only to dogs and cats, and does not cover other pets, feral animals or native wildlife. Community feedback will be sought during the consultation period through Council’s Have Your Say portal.
Illegal Footpath Trading – St Albans
Illegal footpath trading is a multifaceted issue with complex drivers and impacts. Our response seeks to address the broader social, cultural, and economic dynamics at play. Presently, Council Officers are working constructively with Victoria Police who have also acknowledged that illegal street footpath trading in St Albans is a significant issue. Council noted a three-phase plan estimated to cost $360,000 to address illegal footpath trading in St Albans.
The response is socially just and balances enforcement with access to support and provides a program of community and business information and education.
Financial Statements 2024-2025 and Performance Statements 2024-2025
Council noted and approved, in principle, the Financial Statements 2024-2025 and Performance Statement 2024-2025, prior to forwarding the statements to the Victorian Auditor-General.
The Local Government Act 2020 requires Council to submit the Financial Statements 2024-2025 and Performance Statement 2024-2025 for auditing, to the Auditor appointed by the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO), as soon as practicable after the end of the financial year.
The Financial Statements are a general-purpose financial report that consist of a Comprehensive Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Statement of Changes in Equity, Statement of Cash Flows, Statement of Capital Works, and accompanying notes.
The Performance Statement contains the relevant performance indicators, measures and results in relation to service performance, financial performance and sustainable capacity.
The Financial Statements and Performance Statement were prepared in accordance with all necessary authorities, Acts and Regulations.
Governance Report (including Delegation Review)
Council considered a summary of recent governance activity. This included a report on the exercise of delegated authority, Councillor Representatives’ and delegates’ reports from committees, Councillor declarations of Representations by Members of Parliament, and records of informal meetings of Council.
In addition, Council:
- received the Audit and Risk Committee Annual Activity report for 2024/25
- noted the recent advocacy activity in relation to the Victorian Government’s Emergency Service Volunteer Fund
- noted the Western Melbourne Tourism report card
- endorsed the submission in response to the Local Government Rate Cap Mechanism Statutory Review 2025
- noted a submission to the Department of Transport and Planning on the Draft Local Heritage Criteria and Threshold Guidelines
- endorsed a submission to the Department of Transport and Planning on the Draft Development Plan for the Development Victoria site at 147A Cairnlea Drive and 26S Glenbrook Avenue, Cairnlea
- reviewed its instruments of delegations in line with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2020.
