An update from the most recent Council Meeting that took place on 19 August 2025.
More information is available at 2025 Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
Planning Activity Update and Delegate Decisions and Planning Scheme Amendments Update
This report provided Council with an update on:
- the status of Planning Permit Applications in July 2025,
- decisions made under delegated authority in July 2025 and
- the status of current Planning Scheme Amendments over the same period.
In July 2025 Council officers made 62 planning determinations and 13 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 61 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 61 applications is $24.77 million.
At the end of July 2025, there were four appeals lodged at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that had not yet been determined. This is the same number as at the end of July 2024.
There are 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. In July Council sent a revised version of Amendment C219brim to the Department of Transport and Planning for review. Amendment C219 brim updates heritage properties in the Grand Junction and Matthews Hill Estate precincts and includes Beaufort Houses.
Final Draft Brimbank Visitor Economy Strategy2025-2029
Council adopted the Brimbank Visitor Economy Strategy 2025-2029, which aims to increase visitor numbers to Brimbank, support businesses and tourism, attract new businesses, boost the local economy, and celebrate our community.
To help develop the strategy, Council engaged with residents, tourist operators, retailers and other businesses to get their insights about how to attract more visitors to Brimbank. More than 360 people responded to a survey, helping Council develop six key ideas to achieve the strategy’s objectives.
The ideas include:
- develop a destination brand that markets Brimbank as a great place to visit.
- increase the profile of existing attractions that would appeal to visitors.
- attract new tourism operators and visitor attractions.
- draw on the popularity of some of our popular festivals and events.
- prepare for transit development opportunities such as the Melbourne Airport Rail
- celebrate and promote one of our greatest assets – our diverse community.
The draft strategy was released for public comment over four weeks in May, and 70 per cent of the people who responded believed the key initiatives proposed would help attract more visitors to Brimbank.
Reserves Policy
Council has adopted a Reserves Policy to strengthen governance and transparency in managing its financial reserves.
The policy sets out clear rules for establishing, using and reviewing Council’s statutory and discretionary reserves, ensuring funds are allocated responsibly and in line with strategic priorities. Statutory reserves, required by legislation such as the Subdivision Act 1988 and the Planning and Environment Act 1987, will continue to meet legal obligations. Discretionary reserves will support long-term service delivery, infrastructure investment and risk management.
The policy formalises annual reviews during budget planning, outlines procedures for creating and closing reserves, and commits to transparent reporting to both Council and the community.
By aligning with the Financial Plan, Asset Plan and Council Plan, the Reserves Policy aims to ensure fair and financially sustainable outcomes for current and future ratepayers.
Governance Report August 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:
- noted the submission made by Council to the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) in response to their request for feedback on a draft Declared Area Boundary for the first stage of the Sunshine Superhub project, and
- agreed to enter into a four-month extension of contract for the cleaning of Council buildings.
Council Plan 2021-2025 – Year 4 Annual Action Plan and Annual Budget (4th Quarter Progress Report)
Council noted the ‘Together We are Brimbank’ Council Plan (2021-2025) progress report for April-June 2025.
This is the final quarterly progress report for ‘Together we are Brimbank’. It marks the end of four years of steady work by the Council in partnership with community to achieve the vision set by the previous Council – and it lays a strong foundation for the new Councill to build its own legacy in the four years ahead.
The report includes information about the progress of Council’s 81 actions and service highlights aligned to each of the Council Plan Strategic Directions of: People and Community, Places and Spaces, Opportunity and Prosperity, and Leadership and Governance.
As of 30 June 2025, status of the 81 actions in the Council Plan Annual Action Plan are:
- 78 actions are completed (96% of all actions)
- 3 actions will be progressed in 2025-2026.
Detailed commentary about progress of each of the 81 actions is provided in the progress report Council Plan: Together We are Brimbank | Brimbank
New Advocacy Priorities and Advocacy Update
Council adopted the Advocacy Priorities 2025-2027 to be used to guide Council’s advocacy ahead of the 2026 State Election.
In addition to receiving a report on whole-of-Council advocacy highlights for the period June-September, which included the Delegates Report from National General Assembly of the Australian Local Government Association, Council endorsed:
- a motion on rooming house regulations to be submitted at the upcoming October Municipal Association of Victoria State Council Meeting; and,
- a public campaign to call on the State Government to improve safety and traffic flow on Taylors Road by declaring the road as a State-managed arterial and by duplicating the stretch of road to the west of Kings Road.
Response to Homelessness and Rough Sleeping in Brimbank
With homelessness in Melbourne’s west and Brimbank continuing to rise at an alarming rate, Council has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the community on this issue and advocating for more resourcing towards homelessness services so that those experiencing homelessness receive the assistance they need.
Council endorsed a Homelessness Statement of Commitment that clearly outlines its resolve to continue collaborating with the community, partner organisations and government entities to eliminate homelessness.
Council also noted the Advocacy Statement on Homelessness that supports continued advocacy for State and Federal Governments to address service gaps and respond to community needs related to homeless and rough sleeping.
This is in line with Council’s Advocacy Priorities 2025-2027, where Homelessness and Housing is ranked as a top priority and emphasises the need for increased State and Federal Government investment in homelessness services, particularly in areas related to mental health and Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) outreach efforts.
To view the endorsed Statement of Commitment and the Advocacy Statement on Homelessness, visit www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/living-here/our-wellbeing-and-safety/homelessness
Proposed Naming of New Public Plaza Adjacent to Vietnamese Museum Australia
Council has approved the submission of Wominjeka Plaza as the proposed name for the new public space adjacent to the new Vietnamese Museum Australia being built at 119 Durham Road in Sunshine.
The name will now be submitted to the Geographic Names Victoria for consideration and approval complying with the Naming Rules for Places in Victoria protocol.
This decision follows a community consultation process which revealed that the majority of respondents (64 per cent) supported the proposed name.
Council is collaborating with the Vietnamese Museum Australia to develop a new museum, plaza, and car park at Durham Road.
The plaza will serve as a vibrant forecourt for the museum. Designed to be a bright and inviting public area, it will pay tribute to the Traditional Owners while celebrating the diverse refugee and multicultural communities within Brimbank. Additionally, the plaza will connect Durham Road and R T Pollard Gardens.
Council will inform the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation of this decision and respond in writing to everyone who participated in the consultation regarding the proposed name.
