An update from the most recent Council Meeting that took place on 17 June 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 May 2025,
- Decisions made under delegated authority in May 2025 and
- The status of current Planning Scheme Amendments over the same period.
In May 2025 Council officers made 62 planning determinations and 30 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 65 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 65 applications is $51.3 million.
At the end of May 2025, one planning appeal was lodged at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that had not yet been determined. This is three less than at the end of May 2024.
The Minister for Planning approved Amendment C241 and Amendment C244 to the Brimbank Planning Scheme during May. Amendment C241 updates the Schedule to Clause 72.01 to make the Minister for Planning the Responsible Authority for 147a Cairnlea Drive and 26S Glenbrook Avenue, Cairnlea. Amendment C244 updates the incorporated documents titled ‘Grand Junction Estate and Matthews Hill Precinct Statement of Significance’ to extend the expiry date for the interim heritage control for five properties until 29 May 2026.
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.
Adoption Final Draft Annual Action Plan and Budget 2025-2026 (includes Final Draft Financial Plan and Final Draft Revenue and Rating Plan)
Council has adopted the Annual Action Plan and Budget for 2025/2026, following extensive community consultation.
The plan promises a continued focus on investment, and the delivery of the essential programs and services needed to build resilience and strengthen Brimbank’s community.
The Financial Plan for 2025-2035 and Revenue and Rating Plan for 2025-2029 were also adopted.
These important plans set out Council’s priorities and provide a clear framework for financial management, service delivery, and a long-term vision to meet the needs of our growing community.
The action plan and budget contain 69 actions that will help realise our community’s long-term vision for the Brimbank community to be healthy and safe, and united through a sense of pride. Integrated into the action plan are health and wellbeing priorities for Brimbank, which concentrate on improving liveability, social equity, and sustainability.
The 2025/2026 budget has been carefully developed to ensure financial sustainability with the focus on value for money and best community outcomes, while Council faces financial challenges including rate capping, a growing asset base, increasing asset renewal obligations and the impacts of climate change.
Council will continue to advocate to both State and Federal governments for increased funding to help it deliver the essential infrastructure and services the community relies on.
In the year ahead, Council will invest $273.2 million for operations, to deliver 69 diverse services for the community, ranging from maternal and child health to statutory planning, arts and culture and urban design.
Keeping Brimbank clean and beautiful, including our crack down on illegal rubbish dumping, and the introduction of a rapid response team to improve our community’s access and enjoyment of our parks and gardens, will also be a big focus.
Council will invest $57.6 million in 2025/2026 for capital works to improve roads and drainage upgrades, community and sports facilities, kindergartens, playgrounds, parks, gardens, walking and cycling paths and assets including library books.
Community feedback has played a vital role in shaping these key plans. Over the past year, more than 1,000 community members shared their insights and aspirations for Brimbank through community panel workshops, pop up sessions and online feedback.
To view the adopted Annual Action Plan and Budget for 2025/2026, the Financial Plan for 2025-2035 and Revenue and Rating Plan for 2025-2029, visit www.brimbank.vic.gov.au
Planning Application P338/2024 for 27A Palmer Parade, Derrimut
Council agreed to issue a Notice of Decision to Grant a Planning Permit P338/2024 for the construction of 110 dwellings and removal of native vegetation at 27A Palmer Parade, Derrimut, subject to certain conditions.
The site is located in the Mixed-Use zone.
A previous application for the development of 117 dwellings and removal of native vegetation at this site had been refused under delegation from Council in 2023, and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) had upheld the refusal.
This application was referred externally to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) and Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action (DEECA) as required by certain clauses of the Brimbank Planning Scheme. Both authorities supported the proposal subject to conditions that must be included on any planning permit that is issued.
Council’s assessment indicates that:
- there is strategic justification and policy support for a higher density on this site compared to the surrounding areas, and
- the development has addressed the shortfalls identified by VCAT in the previous application that was refused in 2023.
Draft Biodiversity Strategy
Council has endorsed the draft Biodiversity Strategy 2025-2035 to go to community consultation in July for four weeks.
The draft strategy is a roadmap to respond to ecological decline and sets a framework where nature is visible, valued, and thriving.
It was prepared by Council in consultation with the community and key external stakeholders.
It has five goals to guide Council’s investment, policy and actions, and they are:
- Safeguard Brimbank’s most ecologically valuable places and species.
- Support the recovery of degraded landscapes through active management.
- Create a more connected ecological network.
- Empower and engage the community to care for the environment and act.
- Ground decisions in knowledge, collaboration, and culture.
The draft strategy will be available for community consultation from 14 July to 11 August 2025.
Climate Emergency Plan Review
Brimbank Council’s commitment to climate change over the past five years has resulted in the reduction of operational greenhouse gas emissions by 78 per cent. This commitment has been mirrored by thousands of Brimbank residents and business owners, who have been supported by Council to live and work more sustainably.
The Brimbank Climate Emergency Plan 2020-2025 Review was presented at the Brimbank Council Meeting on 17 June 2025, highlighting a host of significant achievements that have slashed emissions, including:
- The build of Australia’s first 100 per cent renewable energy operated, 6-star Green Star Design and As-Built rated aquatic centre.
- Use of 100 per cent renewable electricity in Council buildings – sourced from Victorian wind farms.
- Rooftop solar panels installed on 48 Council buildings.
- Use of energy-efficient LEDs in streetlights.
Council’s ‘100% Renewable Brimbank’ program provides resources and programs for residents, businesses, and community groups on sustainable living, switching to electric and use of renewable energy.
While the results to date are strong, reaching Council’s target of net-zero emissions by 2030 for Council operations will require great innovation and effort in the years to come.
The key priorities for Council will include transitioning the remaining 38 Council facilities that still use gas for some appliances to electricity and converting Council’s vehicle fleet to electric.
Supporting the community and local businesses to achieve net-zero emissions at home and work by 2040 is also an ambitious challenge. This will be part of the new Climate Emergency Strategy, which is expected to be considered by Council for adoption in the second half of 2026.
Integrated Water Management Strategy
The Brimbank Integrated Water Management Strategy 2025-2035 was adopted by Council and identifies key areas of focus including actions to increase water security and urban resilience, strengthen governance, and improve monitoring programs.
Over the 2025-2035 period, residents of Brimbank can expect to see a focus on raising engagement and water literacy of the community about the urban water cycle as well as a range of other water-related risks and issues. Traditional Custodians can expect greater engagement into better integrate traditional knowledge systems and practices into water projects.
Brimbank Heritage Strategy Update
Council endorsed the Brimbank Heritage Strategy 2018-2023 (revised 2025).
The Strategy seeks to conserve, protect, and maintain the municipality’s heritage buildings, places, and objects.
A review of the Strategy found that 17 out of 22 actions were still ongoing and relevant, and there was sufficient work remaining to continue with the strategy, rather than develop a new one.
Highlights of the current financial year included approval of Amendment C227brim to place a Heritage Overlay over Sunshine Silos, the inclusion of the former Sunshine Technical School on the Victorian Heritage Register and completion of external works to restore Robertsons Homestead.
The Brimbank Heritage Strategy 2018-2023 (revised 2025) updates the Strategy to remove completed actions, updates relevant legislation and policy, and identifies projects and initiatives that contribute to heritage protection, restoration, and reuse of heritage buildings and places.
The revised Brimbank Heritage Strategy extends the associated work program for a further three years. The extended timeframe of three years will enable Council to consider the need for a future Strategy in 2028.
Governance Report June 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 also noted:
- the attendance of Councillors Mayor Cr Thuy Dang, Deputy Mayor Cr Victoria Borg, Cr Katharine Nikolic, Cr Ranka Rasic, Cr Virginia Tachos and Cr Kim Thien Truong at the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly 2025 (NGA 2025), to be held in Canberra from 25 to 27 June 2025, and that a report will be provided to Council following NGA 2025.
- that the Brimbank Economic and Employment Advisory Group (BEEAG) Selection Panel have appointed five new members to the vacant positions on the BEEAG.
Quarterly Advocacy Update
This report tabled Council’s Advocacy for the period early March 2025 to late May 2025, with major outcomes across priority areas.
Major outcomes that align with Council’s advocacy related developments include:
- Prime Minister Albanese and Premier Allan visited Sunshine Station to reconfirm their joint commitment to the full $4 billion investment into Sunshine Station. This was followed by the announcement of the funding allocation in the 2025-26 State Budget.
- Minister King announced a $300m government investment to build a full diamond interchange at Calder Park Drive, including the State Government’s commitment of $50m.
- Minister King announced $85m in Federal Government funding for a new road link that will connect the suburbs of Wyndham Vale and Tarneit, a key advocacy priority for LeadWest.
Other recent announcements that align with Brimbank’s advocacy priorities include:
- Upgrade of the Sunshine Headspace to a Headspace Plus – Federal Government commitment (Mental Health – Gold priority).
- $500,000 for a business case to explore the Transformation of Sunshine Energy Park – Federal Government commitment (Transforming Brimbank – Gold priority).
- $12.1m for a new bus route between Cairnlea and Deer Park – 2025-26 State Budget (Transforming Brimbank – Gold priority).
- $8.9m to help locals walk, ride and move around more safely by upgrading shared user paths in Taylors Lakes, Sydenham and Hillside – 2025-26 State Budget (Transforming Brimbank – Gold priority).
- $1.25m for Vietnamese Museum Australia to support the completion of Australia’s first Vietnamese museum – 2025-26 State Budget (Transforming Brimbank – Gold priority).
- Three new pedestrian road safety signs along Taylors Road in Keilor Downs (Road Infrastructure – Silver priority).
- $504,000 under the Federal Government’s Blackspot Program to implement safety treatments at the intersection of Glengala Road and Mernda Street in Sunshine West – successful State Government grant application (Road Infrastructure – Silver priority).
- $23,000 for the Friends of Kororoit Creek to continue their incredible efforts to transform the Creek and its surroundings to what has become a recreation and biodiversity hot spot within Brimbank – State Government grant (Climate Emergency – Silver priority).
A survey of community views was undertaken along with a workshop and interviews with Councillors to establish current priorities and inform the drafting of the next Advocacy Plan.
Brimbank tabled motions to help local government address homelessness and more equitable funding for libraries at the State Council Meeting of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) on Friday 16 May 2025.
The report outlines further details, including outcomes relating to LeadWest advocacy and several outcomes not directly aligned to Council’s Advocacy Plan priorities but that will have a positive impact for the City of Brimbank.
