An update from the most recent Council Meeting that took place on 10 December 2024. You can watch the meeting here on our YouTube channel.
More information is available at 2024 Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
Planning Activity Update and Delegate Decisions including Planning Scheme Amendments Update – September, October and November 2024
This report provided Council with an update on:
- The status of Planning Permit Applications in September, October and November 2024
- Decisions made under delegated authority in September, October and November 2024
- The status of current Planning Scheme Amendments over the same period
In September 2024 Council officers made 60 planning determinations and 28 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 44 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 44 applications is $15.6 million.
In October 2024 Council officers made 77 planning determinations and 20 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 69 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 69 applications is $22.1 million.
In November 2024 Council officers made 67 planning determinations and 24 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 52 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 52 applications is $15.22 million.
At the end of November 2024, five planning appeals were lodged at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), which are yet to be determined. This is the same as at the end of November 2023.
There were three proposed amendments to the Brimbank Planning Scheme active during this period with progress on two amendments. Amendment C227brim, which places a Heritage Overlay on the Sunshine Silos came into effect on 5 September 2024, when a notice approving this amendment was published in the Government Gazette. Council officers responded to a further information request in relation to Amendment C239brim (Housing and Neighbourhood Character Strategy) on 30 October 2024. The Minister for Planning is yet to consider authorisation of Amendment C219brim (Heritage update), which was lodged with the Department of Transport and Planning on 20 December 2022.
Planning Compliance Activity Update – 1 July to 30 September 2024
This report showed:
- Council’s Planning Compliance Unit received 106 new requests for service between 1 July to 30 September 2024.
- The number of requests received was lower than the previous quarter when 123 requests were received.
- 166 requests were resolved by Officers during the quarter, 13 more than the previous quarter.
- The most common requests received related to signage without a permit, which accounted for 26 per cent of the total requests.
- Use of land without a planning permit (25 per cent) and contravention of planning permit conditions (22 per cent) were the next most common requests received.
- Council issued three Planning Infringement Notices during this period. These related to:
- Erection and display of Real Estate signage in breach of the Planning Scheme.
- Breach of Planning Scheme/Use of the land without a valid planning permit.
Quarter 1 Budget Report (July/Aug/Sept) 2024
Council noted the Quarterly Budget Report and accompanying statements for the period ending 30 September 2024.
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 2025.
Quarterly reports are designed to identify major variances against the budget approved by Council on 18 June 2024. It demonstrates our commitment to the principles of sound financial management in a sustainable and responsible manner.
This quarterly report is a requirement under the Local Government Act 2020 and has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards.
Governance Report December 2024
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 Councillors.
In addition, Council also:
- Approved the updated Terms of Reference of the Chief Executive Officer Employment Matters Committee.
- Approved the proposed Council Meeting dates for 2025.
- Appointed four Council staff under section 147(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, to be authorised officers to perform regulatory and enforcement functions for the purposes of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the regulations made under that Act; and for offences and regulations under section 313 of the Local Government Act 2020.
In relation to the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC), Council:
- Approved the updated Audit and Risk Committee Charter.
- Reappointed ARC independent member, Jen Johanson for a further three-year period
- Approved the extension of Geoff Harry as Char of the Audit and Risk Committee until 31 March 2025, and as an independent member of the ARC until 30 June 2025.
- Noted that a recruitment process for a new Independent Chair of the ARC will be undertaken in early 2025.
Committee Appointments
Council appointed Councillor delegates to a range of committees. For a full listing read the Minutes of the 10 December Council Meeting.
Council also:
- Agreed to discontinue the operation of the Brooklyn Industrial Precinct Committee and the Social Justice Coalition – Strategic Implementation Group.
- Noted Council will no longer appoint a Councillor delegate to the Melbourne Regional Landfill Community Reference Group.
Quarterly Advocacy Update – December 2024
Council endorsed the relaunch of the Transforming Brimbank campaign ahead of the 2025 Federal Election.
The campaign will urge major parties contesting the election to prioritise the development of the Sunshine Precinct and fast-track the timeline for completing the Melbourne Airport Rail, ensuring it is operational by 2031 to align with the opening of the third runway.
This report outlines the context, proposed approach, and how Brimbank Council will maximise opportunities for Melbourne’s west brought about by government-committed infrastructure projects.
The report also outlines a number of whole-of-Council advocacy highlights from the past three months of activities. These include:
- Announcement of noise mitigation measures ahead of Melbourne Airport’s third runway
- Senate Inquiry into aircraft noise
- A new $63.5m joint commitment by the State and Federal governments for the rebuild of Sunshine Station in preparation for the Melbourne Airport Rail
- Inquiry into Local Government Funding and Services
- Beginning of State Government-funded works to improve road safety in Sunshine West.
Council Plan Action Plan Y4Q1 Report and Draft Council Report
Council noted the progress on the ‘Together We are Brimbank’ Council Plan Action Plan (2021-2025) for Year Four, Quarter One from July-September 2024.
The quarterly report provides information about the progress of Council’s 81 Council Plan actions with service highlights aligned to each Strategic Direction.
As of 30 September 2024, the status of the 81 actions in the Council Plan Annual Action Plan are as follows:
- 96% (77) actions are in progress
- 2% (2) actions are completed
- 1% (1) action has not commenced
- 1% (1) action is not due to commence until Quarter 4.
The completed actions were:
- Advocate to the State Government to allocate funding for local government Social Inclusion Action Groups (People and Community).
- Continue implementation of Council’s Urban Forest Strategy through street tree planting in Kings Park, Deer Park and St Albans (Places and Spaces).
Brimbank Community Grants Program 2024-2025 – December 2024
Council noted the outcome of the annual Brimbank Community Grants Program 2024-2025 assessment.
The Brimbank Community Grants Program provides one-off 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 program has a total financial year allocation of $600,000 spread throughout two funding streams – Annual Community Grants, and Quick Response Grants.
- Annual Community Grants – delivered once per calendar
For 2024-2025, 122 applications out of a total of 168 received, were successful for funding:
- Nine Community Strengthening Grants – up to $10,000
- Seven Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants – up to $10,000
- Two Climate Emergency Grants – up to $10,000
- Two Young People’s Idea Grants – up to $10,000
- Twenty-four Community Festival and Event Grants – up to $10,000
- Five Major Festival and Event Grants – up to $25,000
- Seventy-three Senior Operational Grants – up to $1,000.
- Quick Responsive Grants –available all year round for eligible organisations requiring assistance for emerging or unexpected needs and opportunities that are outside the annual community grants program funding period.
Out of the $600,000 budget allocation, a total of $547,805 was allocated to the annual Brimbank Community Grants Program and the remaining $52,195 will be allocated to the year round Quick Responsive Grants.
Successful and unsuccessful applicants were notified in November 2024.
Council has supported 13 grant applicants through the Quick Responsive Grants since the program’s inception in February 2024.
