An update from the most recent Council Meeting that took place on 8 December 2025.
More information is available at 2025 Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
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 November 2025,
- Decisions made under delegated authority in November 2025 and
- The status of current Planning Scheme Amendments over the same period.
In November 2025 Council officers made 64 planning determinations and 15 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 57 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 57 applications is $58.97 million.
At the end of November 2025, three planning appeals were lodged at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that had not yet been determined. This is one less than at the end of November 2024.
Council resolved to refer submissions in relation to Amendment C219brim – Heritage Update to a Planning Panel at its November Council Meeting. On 27 November 2025, Planning Panels Victoria wrote to Council to advise that a Planning Panel had been appointed, and a Directions Hearing is scheduled for the week commencing 15 December.
St Albans Place Management Strategic Framework
Brimbank Council has adopted the St Albans Place Management Framework 2025 – 2029, setting an exciting direction for how the St Albans Town Centre will grow and flourish over the next five years.
The framework, adopted at the December 2025 Council Meeting, outlines a coordinated approach to making St Albans Town Centre safer, more vibrant, and welcoming for everyone.
It sets out a vision that by 2030, St Albans Town Centre will be one of Melbourne’s most dynamic and loved multicultural destinations, full of community spirit, great businesses and authentic food.
The Framework focuses on five key areas:
- Program management, governance and partnerships
- Marketing, promotions and activation
- Community safety, access and amenity
- Business development and investment attraction
- Community and cultural development
Community consultation ran for four weeks in September and October and feedback showed strong support for the framework’s vision and priorities – especially around safety, cleanliness and communication.
Visit Council’s website to view the St Albans Place Management Strategic Framework.
Governance Report
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:
- Adopted an updated Councillor Support Policy
- Noted the Audit and Risk Committee Minutes for a meeting held on 21 November 2025
- Delegated authority to the Director City Futures, until 17 February 2026 to request the Minister for Planning to prepare an amendment to the Brimbank Planning Scheme under section 20(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 should emergent heritage matters arise that warrant action under section 6B of the Act.
Appointment to Committees
Council appointed until Council resolves otherwise:
- Councillors Thuy Dang and Daniel Kruk as representatives, and Councillors Joh Bauch and Virginia Tachos as substitutes to the Audit and Risk Committee.
- Councillor Thuy Dang as Chair, and Councillors Maria Kerr and Lucy Nguyen as representatives, to the Brimbank Arts
Advisory Committee.
- Councillor Lucy Nguyen as co-Chair, and Councillor Katharine Nikolic as representative, to the Brimbank Youth Council.
- Councillors Thuy Dang, Daniel Kruk, Ranka Rasic, and Virginia Tachos as representatives, to the Chief Executive Officer Employment Matters Committee.
- Councillor Victoria Borg as co-Chair, and Councillors Maria Kerr and Kim Thien Truong as representatives, to the Disability Advisory Committee.
- Councillor Daniel Kruk as representative, and Councillor Thuy Dang as substitute to the Sunshine Town Centre Partnership Group.
- Councillors Katharine Nikolic and Ranka Rasic as representatives, to the yaluk barring park Consultative Committee.
- Councillor Kim Thien Truong as delegate and Councillor Victoria Borg as substitute, to the Brimbank Community Fund Advisory Committee.
- Councillors Lucy Nguyen and Katharine Nikolic as delegates, to the Brooklyn Community Representative Group.
- Councillor Katharine Nikolic as delegate, and Councillor Ranka Rasic as substitute, to the Calder Highway Improvement Committee.
- Councillor Lucy Nguyen as delegate, to the Local Government Working Group on Gambling.
- Councillor Joh Bauch as delegate, and Councillor Lucy Nguyen as substitute, to the Metropolitan Transport Forum.
- Councillor Daniel Kruk as delegate, and Councillor Duyen Anh Pham as substitute delegate, to the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV).
- Councillor Duyen Anh Pham as delegate to the Western Melbourne Tourism.
- Notes that in accordance with their respective Terms of Reference,
Council appointed Councillor representatives to the following Committees
for a two year term in December 2024:
- Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative
Committee;
- Brimbank Economic and Employment Advisory Group;
- Heritage Advisory Committee;
- Safety and Wellbeing Partnership; and
- St Albans Town Centre Partnership Group.
Quarterly Advocacy Update – December 2025
Council noted the whole-of-Council advocacy highlights, which were reported against the Brimbank Advocacy Priorities 2025-2027. There were several significant outcomes over the period. These included:
- WoMEDA Summit and significant mainstream media coverage of Brimbank’s priority for the development of the Sunshine Precinct
- Launch of Skybus Service from Sunshine to Melbourne Airport
- Two roundtables on the issue of homelessness, and a related submission for State Government funding to address service gaps in homelessness and rough sleeping in Brimbank.
- An update on Council’s advocacy for the declaration and duplication of Taylors Road in Delahey.
- Announcements of new State Government funding for Sunshine Hospital’s Emergency Department, the Westvale Men’s Shed in Kings Park, the local government response to illegal dumping, and more bus services in Melbourne’s west.
Draft Community Facilities Hire, Leases and Licenses Policy
Council endorsed the draft Community Facilities Hire, Licences and Leases Agreement Policy and associated draft guidelines for a minimum four-week community consultation.
The policy sets out how the community can access Council’s community facilities for hire, with the scope including halls and meeting rooms managed by Leisure and Community Facilities, Neighbourhood Houses and Community centres, Brimbank Learning Futures at Visy Hub, St Albans Community Centre (STACC) and other Community Wellbeing managed facilities. The policy also outlined the types of hire available as Hire, Licence Agreement or Lease Agreement.
The purpose of the policy is to:
- Provide direction for the ongoing allocation and management of community facilities in Brimbank.
- Ensure fair and equitable access and use of community facilities to community groups and residents within Brimbank in line with the Community Plan and Council Plan.
- Ensure optimal use of community facilities to meet community needs.
The original policy was adopted in 2016, and a review and update of the policy and guidelines has been completed and is ready for community consultation.
After consultation is completed, Council will receive a further report outlining any submissions received and a final draft Community Facilities Hire, Licences and Leases Agreement Policy for further consideration and adoption.
Draft Community Services and Infrastructure Plan
Council endorsed the Draft Community Services and Infrastructure Plan (CSIP) for a minimum four-week community consultation.
The provides the strategic context for the development of the Community Services and Infrastructure Plan 2018- 2038 (CSIP 2018-2038).
These guiding documents help frame strategic decision making about Council’s community services and infrastructure planning and delivery.
The CSIP Update is a full review and update of the CSIP 2018-2038. There are 147 facilities across 93 buildings that are within scope for delivery of the following services:
- Arts and Culture
- Meeting spaces
- Library Services
- Neighbourhood Houses
- Life stage services (Maternal and Child health, Playgroups and Parent Groups,
- Youth Services, Kindergartens, Long Day Care Centres, Programs for Older Adults)
- Dedicated Facilities (Guides and Scout Halls, Men’s Sheds, Bicycle Education Centre, Housing of local heritage and historical artefacts).
After consultation is completed, Council will receive a further report outlining any submissions received and a final draft Community Services and Infrastructure Plan for further consideration and adoption.
Draft Community Facilities Capital Contribution Policy
Council endorsed the draft Community Facilities Capital Development Policy and associated draft guidelines for a minimum four-week community consultation.
The Community Facilities Capital Contribution Policy clearly defines Council and community group responsibilities towards the capital development of Council owned or managed community facilities and to ensure efficient and effective use of Council and community resources to maximise the capital development and use of Council community facilities in a manner that is safe and meets Council standards.
A review and update of the Community Facilities Capital Contribution Policy has been undertaken to ensure the information is up to date now as it is approaching 10 years since adoption. As part of this review a Gender Impact Assessment has been completed and improvements made to the draft policy regarding the objectives of the Gender Equality Act 2020.
Following community consultation, all feedback will be considered, and any proposed changes presented to Council in its final draft policy for consideration and adoption.
Response to Best Start Best Life Kindergarten Reform
Council considered future investment in sessional kindergarten infrastructure following the Victorian Government’s Best Start Best Life Kindergarten reform.
Under this reform, the Victorian Government is introducing significant changes to kindergarten to improve outcomes for children by providing two years of quality early education for all families. These changes will increase demand and require expansion of kindergarten infrastructure to ensure adequate capacity.
Key elements of the reform include:
- Introduction of funded 15 hours of 3YO kindergarten, fully implemented by 2029
- Expansion of four-year-old (4YO) kindergarten hours from 15 to 30 hours a week (‘Pre-Prep’) for all by 2036 (with early access to additional hours from 2026 for prioritised populations)
- Making three-year-old (3YO) and 4YO kindergarten free (from 2023)
- 50 Department of Education run early learning centres across Victoria to address access to childcare for all families.
Council endorsed an increase in sessional kindergarten infrastructure based on the following criteria:
- There is not already additional sessional kindergarten infrastructure provision planned by other parties (e.g. Kindergarten on School Sites).
- The Victorian Government provides funding for new or upgraded infrastructure, with consideration given to ageing infrastructure.
- The local context supports the provision of additional sessional kindergarten provision. The local context can include, but is not limited to, a forecast unmet demand, socio-economic disadvantage or equity of access limitations.
- Service viability is improved through replacing single room kindergartens with either integrated hubs or two- or three-room standalone kindergartens. This may include decommissioning sites in poor condition and/or with lower demand to support expansion and/or consolidation at alternative sites.
- Facilities that are older and/or not fit for purpose and facilities where there is space to expand are prioritised.
- As a higher priority than investment in long day care infrastructure.
- The increase is subject to Council’s annual budget approval processes.
The role that local governments play in kindergarten provision is discretionary and varies between municipalities. There are no specific legislated requirements that define the role of Council in kindergarten delivery. However, Brimbank Council has a history of playing a strong role in kindergarten service, particularly in the provision of infrastructure for sessional kindergarten.
Council’s position on kindergarten infrastructure investment will be reflected in the renewed Community Services Infrastructure Plan.
Council will engage with the Victorian Government to enter into a funding partnership agreement that captures a pipeline of capital projects, providing greater certainty to the Council regarding funding.
Investment in sessional kindergarten infrastructure up until the reform roll out in 2036 will be reflected in long term capital plans and on an annual basis, capital projects will be put before Council for adoption as part of the annual budget process.
Community Grants Governance Report 2025-2026
Council noted the Annual Brimbank Community Grants Program 2025-2026 assessment outcome.
The Brimbank Community Grants Program provides financial assistance to eligible not-for-profit organisations and community groups seeking to deliver projects or events that support and improve the Brimbank community.
The Community Grants Program has a total financial year allocation of $600,000 spread throughout two funding streams:
- Annual Community Grants – delivered once per calendarFor 2025-2026, 124 applications were successful for funding out of 186 grant applications:
- 4 Major Festival and Event Grants – up to $25,000
- 13 Community Wellbeing and Strengthening Grants – up to $10,000
- 2 Climate Emergency Grants – up to $10,000
- 3 Young People’s Ideas Grants – up to $10,000
- 25 Community Festival and Event Grants – up to $10,000
- 77 Seniors Operational Fund Grants – up to $1,000
- Quick Response Grants –available throughout the year from 2025 to fill a gap for eligible organisations requiring assistance for emerging or unexpected needs and opportunities outside the Annual Community Grants Program timelines. These Grants are assessed tri-annually in February, August and November.
Out of the $600,000 budget allocation, a total of $573,078.50 was allocated to the Annual Community Grants Program and the remaining $26,921.50 will be allocated to the all-year round Quick Response Grants.
Successful and unsuccessful applicants were notified in October 2025.
