An update from the 15 March 2022 Council Meeting. Detailed minutes are available at 2022 Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
Domestic Animal Management Plan
Brimbank Council has adopted a new Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2021-2025 to manage and care for the municipalities’ four-legged furry friends.
The new plan will guide Council’s programs, services and strategies for the management of dogs and cats in Brimbank over the next four years.
The DAMP outlines a program aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership and raising awareness of Council’s animal management services.
The plan is available on Council’s website at brimbank.vic.gov.au
Governance Report March 2022
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 and records of informal meetings of Councillors.
In addition Council:
- Approved the extension of the Authority software contract
- Noted the dissolution of the Brimbank Collective Action Committee
COVID Response and Recovery Strategy (Stage 2) – Quarterly Report
Council noted the implementation of the Brimbank Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response and Recovery Strategy Stage 2 for the final Reporting Period of 1 October-31 December 2021.
This is a whole-of-council Strategy is designed to ensure that Council resources, programs, and initiatives continue to assist to respond and mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Strategy includes five strategic objectives and 51 actions that describe how Council can assist local businesses, residents and visitors to overcome obstacles and build on strengths as we continue to recover, rebuild and adjust to a ‘COVID normal’.
As of 31 December 2021, the status of the 51 actions in the Strategy were as follows:
- 94% of Strategy actions were completed with many becoming business as usual
- 6% of Strategy actions are scheduled to be endorsed by Council
The quarterly report highlights the volume and extent of work that took place across Council in ensuring that 48 strategy actions resulted in complete implementation or are embedded in business as usual service responses. The remaining three actions have also been finalised and are awaiting endorsement by Council.
Council Plan 2021 – 2025 – Year One Annual Action Plan (2nd Quarter Progress Report)
Adopted in October 2021, Together We Are Brimbank integrates Council’s Community Vision, Council Plan (2021-2025) and Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan.
Implementation of ‘Together we are Brimbank’ is monitored and evaluated through quarterly reporting of Council Plan actions detailed within the Council Plan Annual Action Plan with achievements published in the Brimbank Annual Report. Both of these reporting mechanisms are requirements of the Local Government Act 2020.
The progress report provides results and analysis for the 125 actions in the 2021/2022 Council Plan Annual Action Plan (Year One) for the Second Quarter period (October – December 2021) (Attachment 1).
As of 31 December 2021, the status of the 125 actions in the Council Plan Annual Action Plan were either completed, or in progress with the breakdown of actions as follows:
- 6 Council Plan actions were completed
- 119 Council Plan actions are being implemented
Analysis of the actions at 31 December 2021 indicated that at this stage of the financial year 95% of actions have commenced and are well in progress.
Advocacy Plan 2022
Council has adopted the Brimbank Advocacy Plan 2022 which defines Council’s key advocacy priorities for the remainder of the current term of office.
The new plan formalises Council’s advocacy priorities leading up to both the Federal and State elections, and outlines the investment needed to build a better, stronger future for Brimbank.
Since the release of Council’s Advocacy Plan in October 2019, Brimbank has successfully advocated for more than $200 million in State and Federal investments for our community.
These include funding for sport and recreation facilities, upgrading schools, Westside Lodge mental health service upgrade, the redevelopment of the Sunshine Law Courts and Justice Precinct, and safety improvements to the Calder Freeway and other roads across the municipality.
The plan is available on Council’s website brimbank.vic.gov.au
Final Draft Festival and Events Policy and Strategy
Council adopted the Festival and Events Policy and Strategy 2022-2025.
The policy, which went to community consultation late last year, is a long term vision to guide future Brimbank festivals.
The Festival and Events Policy and Strategy 2022-2025 continues the direction set by the 2018-2021 Policy and Strategy, it outlines the resource commitments Council will make and how Council will work with the local community to ensure festivals and events are inclusive, best practice, safe, sustainable and flourishing.
Brimbank Aquatic & Wellness Centre Project – March 2022 Update
The Project update to Council noted that the design team continue to close out minor design items including external signage, sensory room and entry art sculpture design coordination.
Design workshops are taking place with the design consultants and ADCO on an ‘as-required’ basis to close out outstanding items.
The Head Contractor, ADCO continue to pursue 6-Star Green Star Design and As-Built certification in accordance with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) advising that 6-Star certification remains achievable, and noting ADCO are required to achieve a minimum 5-Star Green Star. ADCO and Council are engaging with GBCA regularly and monthly updates are provided on the status of Green Star certification.
The construction works that commenced on site at the end of July 2020 are continuing under a COVID-19 Safe Plan, and while there were COVID-19 restriction setbacks from August to September 2021 and closure of all Victorian construction sites from September to October 2021, construction recommenced at 100% capacity as of 21 October 2021.
Significant progress has been made on site since the return to full construction and ADCO has installed all roof sheeting to the wet and dry zones of the facility as well as the installation of cladding.
Glazing has been installed to the dry zone, with the installation of remaining glazing within the next month. The ramps and concourse surrounding all pools are now complete along with all concrete pool structure.
The new substation has been installed and permanent power to the site has now been connected and installation of Solar PV panels to the roof has commenced. Installation of internal services and plasterboard installation has progressed to Level 1 of the dry zone, with plasterboard installation to Level 2 commencing in February2022.
Asphalting of the car park remains outstanding due to previous site workforce capacity limitations and these works are anticipated to commence in March 2022.
Construction of the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre is progressing on budget and currently on schedule for completion in 2022.
Notices of Motion
At the Council Meeting on 15 March 2022, Councillors put forward six notices of motion:
- Condemning Sportbet’s Harmful Marketing Campaign – raised by Cr Tachos
- Heat Stress in Vulnerable Communities of Brimbank – raised by Cr Tachos
- State Government Announcements regarding the Proposed Social Housing Rates Exemption and the Social and Affordable Housing Contribution Levy and Planning Reform – raised by Cr Luu
- Taylors Road Declaration and Upgrade – raised by Cr Rasic
- Support for the People of Ukraine – raised by Cr Tachos
- Asylum Seekers Advocacy – raised by Cr Nguyen
