An update from the most recent Council Meeting that took place on 18 February 2025. You can watch the meeting here on our YouTube channel.
More information is available at 2025 Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
Planning Activity Update 1/10/2024 – 31/12/2024 and Delegate Decisions including Planning Scheme Amendment Update
This report provided Council with an update on:
- The status of Planning Permit Applications in December 2024 – January 2025
- Decisions made under delegated authority in December 2024 – January 2025
- The status of current Planning Scheme Amendments over the same period
In December 2024 Council officers made 62 planning determinations and 28 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 49 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 49 applications is $363 million.
In January 2025 Council officers made 29 planning determinations and 10 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 35 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 35 applications is $260 million.
At the end of January 2025, four planning appeals were lodged at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that had not yet been determined. This is four less than at the end of January 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.
Q2 Finance / Capital Works Report
Council noted the Quarterly Budget Report and accompanying statements for the period ending 31 December 2024. Council also noted the proposed reallocation of 2024/25 Operational and Capital Works funding to deliver on our priorities and objectives.
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.
Council Plan 2021-2025 – Year Four Annual Action Plan and Annual Budget and Year Three Organisational Strategy (2nd Quarter Progress Report)
Council Plan Action Plan 2021-2025 – Year 4 Q2 progress report
Council noted the progress on the ‘Together we are Brimbank’ Council Plan Action Plan (2021-2025) for Year Four, Quarter Two from October-December 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 31 December 2024, the status of the 81 actions in the Council Plan Annual Action
Plan are as follows:
- (94%) 76 actions are in progress
- (5%) 4 actions are completed
- (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).
- Deliver the climate emergency stream of the Brimbank Community Grants Program to help the community respond to climate change (Places and Spaces).
- Partner with the Victorian Electoral Commission in respect to Local Government elections in compliance with the Local Government Act 2020 (the Act).
Annual Budget – Quarter 2 Budget Report (Oct/Nov/Dec 2024)
Council noted the Quarterly Budget Report and accompanying statements for the period ending 31 December 2024 and that a revised budget pursuant to section 97 (3) of the Local Government Act 2020 is not required.
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, records of informal meetings of Councillors, and minutes from the Audit and Risk Committee held 22 November 2024.
In addition, Council also:
· updated its Brimbank Community Flag Policy and Procedure,
· noted the updated Reconciliation Action Plan endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, and
· endorsed a submission to Homes Victoria on in relation to a proposed development at 24-26 Burnewang Street, Albion.
Councillor Conduct and Governance Policies
Council noted the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct as prescribed in by Local Government Regulations and adopted an Internal Dispute Resolutions to accompany the Model Code.
A Councillor Social Media Policy and Councillor Occupational Health and Safety Policy were also adopted. These policies will help make our Councillor requirements clearer and easier to follow.
Councillors also noted the update provided in relation the State Government’s intention to develop Model Governance Rules and a Model Transparency Policy for all Councils in Victoria.
50 Years of Vietnamese Community’s Settlement in Australia
2025 is the 50-year anniversary of the Vietnamese community’s settlement in Australia. The City of Brimbank prides itself as home to one of the largest Vietnamese communities in Australia.
To assist celebrations, Council aims to complement community-led efforts, ensuring the milestone is celebrated for the community, by the community, in a way that reflects its significance and is a pivotal moment to foster unity.
Council has funded several community-led events and activities recognising this important anniversary, through the Community Grants Program.
