An update from the most recent Council Meeting that took place on 18 March 2025.
More information is available at 2025 Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
Presentation from the Deliberative Engagement Panel – community panel reflections
Two members of the Brimbank Community Panel provided an update on their experience of the deliberative engagement process. Their reflections highlighted the importance of community involvement in shaping the future of Brimbank and provided valuable insights into the panel’s journey.
The community panel was made up of 50 demographically representative residents, bringing together diverse perspectives to inform Council’s strategic decision-making. Their task was to engage in a structured process of discussion, deliberation, and consensus-building to review the Community Vision and inform the development of the Council Plan and related strategic documents.
The panel identified key priorities for Brimbank’s future, including improved communication, safer and greener public spaces, and economic and social opportunities that support community wellbeing. Through in-depth discussions, the panel grappled with complex challenges, such as balancing growth with sustainability and addressing community needs in a fair and equitable way.
One of the most significant outcomes of the panel’s work was the development of seven guiding principles for Council decision-making. These principles – covering inclusivity, health and safety, financial accountability, economic opportunity, communication, belonging, and innovation – were formally presented to Council for consideration.
The panel members emphasised their experience was both challenging and rewarding, providing them with a deeper appreciation of the complexities of local government decision-making. Their reflections underscored the importance of two-way engagement between Council and the community, ensuring residents have a voice in shaping Brimbank’s future.
Council extended its sincere thanks to all community panel members for their dedication and contributions to this important process.
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 February 2025
- Decisions made under delegated authority in February 2025
- The status of current Planning Scheme Amendments over the same period
In February 2025 Council officers made 53 planning determinations and 22 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 62 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 62 applications is $108.5 million.
At the end of February 2025, four planning appeals were lodged at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that had not yet been determined. This is two less than at the end of February 2024.
There are currently two planning scheme amendments where Council is awaiting a decision by the Minister for Planning, 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.
Governance Report March 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 and records of informal meetings of Councillors.
In addition, Council also:
- Noted Councillor Support Expenses for Quarters 1 and 2 of the 2024/2025 financial year
- Agreed to write to Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City in Nepal, to convey thanks for inviting Brimbank to establish a sister city relationship and explain Council’s position of not entering into sister city relationships
- Noted the minutes from the 27 February 2025 Audit and Risk Committee Meeting
- Endorsed a submission to the West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance (WoMEDA) Draft Consultation Paper – Towards an Economic Development Strategy for the West of Melbourne 2025.
Quarterly Advocacy Update March 2025
This report notes several whole-of-Council advocacy highlights from the past three months of activities. These include:
- The launch of our ‘Rail before Runway’ advocacy campaign
- A $2bn funding commitment from the Federal Government towards transforming Sunshine Station as part of the Melbourne Airport Rail project
- A $500k funding commitment from the Federal Government for a feasibility study on Sunshine Energy Park
- Rollout of the Homes First Program in Brimbank
- Ongoing merits review of the Melbourne Airport Third Runway
- Progress on LeadWest initiatives, and
- Successful grant applications.
Additionally, Council has endorsed its key priorities ahead of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State Council Meeting in May and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly in June.
These events provide important opportunities for Council to influence policy at both state and national levels. The endorsed motions reflect Council’s current priorities as outlined in the Brimbank Advocacy Plan 2023-25, and are as follows:
MAV State Council Meeting
Melbourne Airport Rail
Addressing homelessness
Funding for libraries
ALGA National General Assembly
Addressing homelessness
Online gambling
Energy Upgrades for low-income households
Vietnamese Museum Australia & Welcome Plaza – Project Update
Council received an update on the Vietnamese Museum Australia project, including the proposed public plaza and car park to be built at 119 Durham Road, Sunshine.
The report noted the sale of land to the Vietnamese Museum Australia Ltd (VMA) had been completed and works on the building were scheduled to commence in March/April 2025, and be completed by mid-2026.
The report also presented information about the public plaza, that Council proposes to build next to the new museum. The plaza will be a welcoming public space for everyone to enjoy, honouring the Traditional Owners and celebrating all refugee and multicultural communities in Brimbank.
The plaza will serve as a forecourt to the new museum and a connection between RT Pollard Gardens and Durham Road, Sunshine. The plaza is intended to be a destination in its own right and will be open to the public at all times.
The concept design was shaped by engagement with Traditional Owners Wurundjeri Council, a range of multicultural groups and the Brimbank Youth Council. Work on the detailed design will follow next.
Council also endorsed ‘Wominjeka Plaza’ as the proposed plaza name. Wominjeka means ‘welcome’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. This name was recommended by Wurundjeri Elders during consultation on the plaza design. Council will shortly undertake community consultation on the proposed name in accordance with Council’s Place Naming Policy and the Geographic Place Names Act 1998.
Construction of the plaza is planned to take place in 2026. Council is currently advocating to both the Federal and State Governments, for funding for this unique cultural plaza project.
The report also provided an update on the reconfiguration of the western end of the Durham Road car park. Planning is underway to manage traffic around the site, negotiations are progressing with the Department of Transport and Planning to relocate a bus stop from next to the proposed access to the reconfigured car park, and the car park works are also being planned.
More information on the project is available on Council’s website brimbank.vic.gov.au/durhamroad
