An update from the most recent Council Meeting that took place on 18 November 2025.
More information is available at 2025 Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
Planning Activity Update and Delegate Decisions and Planning Scheme Amendment Update
This report provided Council with an update on:
- The status of Planning Permit Applications in October 2025
- Decisions made under delegated authority in October 2025 and
- The status of current Planning Scheme Amendments over the same period.
In October 2025 Council officers made 75 planning determinations and 26 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 69 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 69 applications is $23.86 million.
At the end of October 2025, four planning appeals were lodged at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that had not yet been determined. This is the same as at the end of October 2024.
Council received five submissions after exhibiting Amendment C219brim – Heritage Update. Amendment C219brim seeks to implement appropriate heritage grading for properties in an existing Heritage Overlay (HO151) and introduce two new Heritage Overlays (HO153 and HO154) and update the local heritage policy. The exhibition closed on 10 October 2025.
Final Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029
Council has adopted a new Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2026-2029, setting a clear framework for the responsible care and management of cats and dogs in Brimbank over the next four years.
The plan focuses on promoting responsible pet ownership, enhancing community safety and reducing the impact of nuisance behaviours on the community and the environment.
With more than 3,000 cats and over 6,700 registered dogs in Brimbank, a strong, proactive approach to domestic animal management is essential to help people, pets, and the environment coexist harmoniously.
Amendment C219brim – Heritage Updates – Post Exhibition
Council considered submissions received in response to the recent exhibition of Brimbank Planning Scheme Amendment C219 (Amendment C219brim).
The proposed Amendment C219brim seeks to implement appropriate heritage gradings for properties in an existing Heritage Overlay (HO151) and introduce two new Heritage Overlays (HO153 and HO154) and an update to local heritage policy.
Amendment C219brim was exhibited from 4 September to 10 October 2025.
Key changes proposed by the amendment include:
- Applying a new Heritage overlay (HO154) to seven properties in Albion and Sunshine which contain significant Beaufort Homes.
- Inclusion of a policy in the Brimbank Planning Scheme to guide development proposals involving relocation of heritage buildings.
Council received five submissions about Amendment C219brim. Two confirmed no objection to the proposed amendment, one supported the proposed amendment, and two objected to the proposed amendment.
Council resolved to refer the submissions to a Planning Panel that will provide Council with recommendations on how to proceed with the amendment.
Final Draft Biodiversity Strategy 2025-2035
Council adopted the Brimbank Biodiversity Strategy 2025-2035. The 10-year plan aims to protect and revive our city’s natural environment — from precious native grasslands to local wildlife habitat.
Protecting Brimbank’s plants, animals, and grasslands is important as the municipality faces growing pressures like urban development and climate change.
The strategy sets out five goals to guide Council’s investment, policy and actions:
- Protect Brimbank’s most ecologically valuable places and species.
- Restore degraded landscapes through active management.
- Create more opportunities for plants and animals to move and thrive across public and private land.
- Build community knowledge and provide meaningful ways for everyone to get involved in caring for nature.
- Make decisions grounded in knowledge, culture and collaboration, including working closely with Traditional Custodians, local residents and partner organisations.
The strategy was refined following community feedback on the draft plan collected in July and August before being adopted at the November Council Meeting.
Governance Report November 2025
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:
- Deferred the appointment of delegates to the LeadWest Joint Delegated Committee to the Council Meeting on 25 November 2025.
- Received an update on the Sunshine Community Battery project and noted that, through the YourSay engagement, the artwork featuring Galahs received the most votes.
- Noted the omission of the Statutory Information and Infrastructure and Development Contributions sections from the Annual Report 2024-25 that had been adopted at the Council Meeting on 21 October 2025, and confirmed that the updated copy of the Annual Report presented now has the information. This final updated version will be published it on the Brimbank City Council website and the Minister for Local Government will be provided a link to the updated Annual Report
Annual Budget Action Plan 2025-2026 – Progress Report Quarter 1
Council noted the progress on the ‘We are Brimbank’ Annual Action Plan and Budget 2025/2026 for year one from July-September 2025.
The Annual Action Plan and Budget 2025/2026 contains 69 actions aligned to the four-year initiatives of the overarching ‘We are Brimbank’ Council Plan.
Reporting is structured around the four key pillars of the Council Plan including People, Places, Prosperity and Leadership and Governance. The quarterly report provides information on the progress in the first quarter of year one, and service highlights aligned to each pillar.
As of 30 September 2025, the status of the 69 actions in the Annual Action Plan and Budget are as follows:
- 96% (66) actions are in progress.
- 4% (3) actions are completed.
The completed actions are:
- Undertake a feasibility study for a Splash Park at Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre.
- Establish a Rapid Response Park Amenity Team.
- Embed the new contract management framework across the organisation to maximise the value that Council receives through contractual arrangements for delivery of services, systems, and capital works
Quarter 1 Budget Report (July/Aug/Sept 2025)
Council noted the Quarterly Budget Report and accompanying statements for the period ending 30 September 2025.
This included an analysis of the year-to-date Operating and Cash results and Operating and Cash Flow forecasts to the financial year ending 30 June 2026.
The Quarterly Budget Report complies with the Local Government Act 2020, Australian Accounting Standards and Council’s Annual Budget 2025/26.
Quarterly reports are designed to identify major variances against the budget approved by Council on 17 June 2025. It demonstrates our commitment to the principles of sound financial management in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Draft Statement of Commitment for a Safe and Inclusive Brimbank
Council endorsed the draft Statement of Commitment for a Safe and Inclusive Brimbank for community consultation.
The draft statement outlines how Council approaches community safety by focusing on the social, health and environmental factors that help prevent harm before it happens.
It sets out Council’s vision for a safe and welcoming community, where everyone belongs and can live free from harm.
The draft Statement includes a vision, key principles, Council’s role and commitments, with three strategic priorities:
- Stronger communities – building a community where people feel safe, welcome and included, through social inclusion.
- Safer streets and public spaces – designing and maintaining Council owned and managed public places to promote safety and support social connection.
- Preventing gender-based violence – preventing family violence, improving health outcomes and ensuring gender equity in our facilities and programs.
Community members will be able to provide feedback on the draft Statement at yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au in December.
Draft Community Grants Policy 2025
Council endorsed the draft Brimbank Community Grants Policy 2025 for community consultation.
The policy outlines how Council will run the Brimbank Community Grants Program, which provides financial support to eligible not-for-profit organisations, community groups and individuals.
The policy will guide how Council governs, manages and evaluates the Brimbank Community Grants Program over the next four years.
The updated draft policy features a strengthened set of guiding principles including equity and inclusion, community benefit, good governance, responsiveness, compliance, capacity building and collaboration, respect and safety of staff.
Community members will be able to provide feedback on the draft policy at yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au in December.
