An update from the most recent Council Meeting that took place on 21 October 2025.
More information is available at 2025 Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
Brimbank City Council Annual Report 2024-2025
Council formally adopted the Brimbank City Council Annual Report 2024-25 and noted that a copy of the Annual Report would be available for community viewing on the Council’s website and a copy forwarded to the Minister for Local Government.
The Brimbank City Council Annual Report 2024–2025 provides an overview of Council’s strategic, operational, and financial performance for 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.
Section 98 (1) of the Local Government Act 2020 requires councils to prepare an annual report for each financial year, including a report of operations, audited financial statements and a performance statement. The annual report must be presented to a council meeting open to the public by 31 October.
Adoption of the Annual Report meets Council’s legislative requirements.
Final Draft We Are Brimbank Council Plan 2025-2029
Council formally adopted the ‘We Are Brimbank’ – Integrated Community Vision 2050, Council Plan and Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025–2029.
The plan outlines Council’s vision for ‘A proud and vibrant Brimbank that is beautiful, thriving, healthy and connected’ and includes a Councillor Commitment to serve and work alongside community to build a stronger, more connected Brimbank.
Health and wellbeing is a core part of the plan, ensuring fairness, access, and a better future for all are at the heart of everything Council does.
Community ideas and feedback played a big part in developing the We Are Brimbank plan, with input from almost 500 community members helping to form the plan’s key initiatives.
Planning Activity Update and Delegate Decisions and Planning Scheme Amendment Update
Council noted recent planning activity with the report providing an update on:
- The status of Planning Permit Applications during September 2025
- Decisions made under delegated authority in September 2025 regarding planning permit applications
- The status of current Planning Scheme Amendments over the same period
In September 2025, Council made 76 planning determinations, 21 subdivision determinations, and 68 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 68 applications is $60.28 million.
No planning appeals were determined by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) during this period. By the end of September 2025, six appeals lodged by Council to VCAT had yet to be determined.
The report identifies that 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 Planning and Environment Act.
Planning Compliance Activity Update – 1 July to 30 September 2025
This report showed:
- Council’s Planning Compliance Unit received 112 new requests for service between 1 July and 30 September 2025.
- The number of requests received was less than the previous quarter, when 131 requests were received.
- 149 requests were resolved by Officers during the quarter.
The most common requests received related to contravention of planning permits, which accounted for 30 per cent of the total requests. These requests were located throughout the municipality, with the majority being in the central and western areas.
Home based business complaints were the next most common requests received which accounted for 18 per cent of the total requests received. Other requests for service related to signage, being 16 per cent of complaints received.
Council issued 13 Planning Infringement Notices during this period.
Governance Report October 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:
- Approved the proposed Council Meeting dates for 2026 and agreed to give notice of the dates in the Star Weekly newspaper and on Council’s website.
- Adopted:
- the updated Privacy and Health Information Policy, and
- the updated Significant Tree Policy.
- Authorised the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate and sign on behalf of Council an amended Section 173 Agreement, and any other agreements as appropriate, including a Funding and Access Deed, a Direct Deed or similar, subject to officer review and recommendations for the delivery of the Wominjeka Plaza and the Car Park works.
- Noted:
- The Audit and Risk Committee Minutes for meeting 144 held 4 September 2025, and
- The final report of the Municipal Monitors appointed to Brimbank City Council and the revised Good Governance 10 Point Action Plan which will reported on biannually.
Draft Social Justice Framework 2025
Council formally endorsed Draft Social Justice Framework 2025 for a period of community consultation between 22 October and 9 November 2025.
In endorsing the draft Framework, Council affirmed its formal commitment to equity, inclusion and social justice in Brimbank, guiding all decisions and services to address and reduce social inequalities within the community.
The draft Social Justice Framework expands on the principles outlined in the Social Justice Charter 2018 by incorporating a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. These principles are inclusivity, equity, accountability, respect and human rights.
The framework will act as a foundational ‘umbrella’ document to support an integrated approach to progressing equity, inclusion and justice. It outlines Council’s approach to social justice by:
- Applying the key principles of inclusivity, equity, accountability, respect, and human rights to all people in Brimbank.
- Recognising that people’s experiences, where they live and their stage of life can either support or act as a barrier to equality.
- Identifying communities of interest who may also be at risk of structural or systemic barriers to equality.
- Undertaking key commitments to embed a culture and practice of social justice
Final Draft Road Management Plan 2025
The Final Road Management Plan 2025-2029 was adopted following community consultation.
Council noted that input from the community was highly valuable in affirming the agreed strategic approach and will write to submitters thanking them for their submissions on the Draft.
Brimbank Council, as a road authority under the Road Management Act 2004 (the Act), is required to have a Road Management Plan (RMP). The RMP sets out Council’s obligations, as the Responsible Authority, to inspect, maintain, and repair public roads.
The purpose of the RMP is to set out a clear management system for inspection and maintenance of the road and footpath network in the City of Brimbank. Under the Road Management (General) Regulations 2016, Council must conduct a review of its Road Management Plan during the same period as it is preparing its Council Plan.
As part of the Road Management Plan review, one aspect subjected to detailed analysis and proposed amendment, was the footpath intervention levels. This was a particular focus of the review due to evolving risk exposure, insurance implications, and benchmarking across neighbouring councils.
Final Draft 10 Year Asset Plan 2025-2035
The Brimbank Asset Plan 2025-2035 was adopted following consultation. Council noted that community input was very valuable in affirming the agreed strategic approach and will write to submitters thanking them for their submissions on the Draft.
Brimbank Council is required to maintain a 10-Year Asset Plan under the Local Government Act 2020. The Brimbank Asset Plan 2025-2035, provides a comprehensive strategy for sustainable infrastructure management, by outlining Council’s approach to asset stewardship, support for key organisational goals and the community vision.
The Brimbank Asset Plan 2025–2035 aims to increase transparency about Council’s asset management practices, clarify financial commitments, and improve stakeholder communication. The Plan’s primary objective is to demonstrate Council’s commitment to service quality with financial prudence and long-term financial planning, ensuring that infrastructure investments meet community needs effectively and sustainably.
The Plan captures Council’s asset portfolio and associated financial obligations, while promoting efficient asset management through improved stakeholder engagement. It establishes a robust framework for aligning service standards with financial sustainability, ensuring responsible infrastructure management for our community.
