An update from the most recent Council Meeting that took place on 21 May 2024.
More information is available at 2024 Council Meeting Agendas and Minutes.
Planning Activity Update and Delegate Decisions including Planning Scheme Amendments Update – April 2024
This report provided Council with an update on:
- The status of Planning Permit Applications in April 2024
- Decisions made under delegated authority in April 2024
- The status of current Planning Scheme Amendments over the same period
In April 2024 Council officers made 67 planning determinations and 22 subdivision determinations under delegation, and 70 new planning permit applications were received. The value of development for these 70 applications is $37.4 million.
At the end of April 2024, four planning appeals were lodged at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) that had not yet been determined. This is eight less than at the end of April 2023.
Three amendments including Amendments C219brim (Heritage Update), C224brim (Planning Policy Framework) and C227brim (Heritage Overlay Sunshine Silos) are with the Minister for Planning for either authorisation or approval.
Planning Application P516/2023 for 52–56 Selwyn Street, Albion
Council agreed to issue a Notice of Decision to grant Planning Permit P516/2023 for the construction of 10 double storey dwellings and a reduction to the standard car parking requirement (visitor spaces) at 52–56 Selwyn Street, Albion, subject to certain conditions.
The proposed plans have taken into consideration the failings of two earlier applications that Council had refused in 2018 and 2020, with VCAT upholding the Council decisions.
The assessment indicates that there is policy support and strategic justification for this application as well as a high level of compliance with the required objectives.
Quarter 3 Budget Report (Jan/Feb/Mar) 2024
Council noted the Quarterly Budget Report and accompanying statements for the period ending 31 March 2024. Council also noted amendment to the 2024/25 Quarter 2 Budget Report to note that a revised budget pursuant to section 97(3) of the Local Government Act 2020 is not required.
This quarterly report is a requirement under the Local Government Act 2020 and has been prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting Standards.
Quarterly reports are designed to identify major variances against the budget approved by Council on 20 June 2023. It demonstrates our commitment to the principles of sound financial management in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Governance Report May 2024
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 and records of informal meetings of Councillors.
In addition, Council also:
- Noted that Councillors Thuy Dang, Sam David, and Ranka Rasic would attend the Australian Local Government Association’s National General Assembly 2024 (NGA 2024), to be held in Canberra from 2 to 4 July 2024, and that a report will be provided to Council following NGA 2024
- Noted an update in relation to the Local Government Amendment (Governance and Integrity) Bill 2024
- Noted the community engagement process in relation to 26 January, which was undertaken in response to a Notice of Motion in February 2023. Council noted the feedback received from local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including Traditional Owner organisations in relation to 26 January, and agreed to continue to listen to and work with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including Traditional Owner organisations to progress reconciliation across Brimbank.
Council Plan Annual Action Plan Year 2 Quarter Progress Report (January-March 2024)
Council noted the status of progress on the ‘Together we are Brimbank’ Council Plan (2021-2025) for Quarter Three January – March 2024.
The Plan’s 109 actions are categorised under the strategic directions of People and Community, Places and Spaces, Opportunity and Prosperity, Leadership and Governance.
As of 31 March 2024, four Council Plan actions were completed and 109 actions are in progress.
The completed actions were:
- Adopt and implement the updated Sports Facility Development Plan (SFDP).
- Finalise the Sports Feasibility Study for Sydenham Park.
- Update Council’s Lifelong Learning Baseline Measures to monitor outcomes and support advocacy.
- Work towards developing a technology innovation space at Deer Park library.
Final Draft Community Engagement Policy
Council adopted the final Draft Community Engagement Policy that will guide how we ask for our community’s views on projects that impact them. The Policy will ensure that engagement is meaningful, transparent and aligned to best practices.
Under the Local Government Act 2020 (the Act), all Councils must adopt and maintain a community engagement policy that has been developed in consultation with community, and that gives effect to the community engagement principles listed in the Act. The former policy had been adopted in 2021 and work to update it started in 2023.
Council undertook a deliberative engagement process in 2023 with the Brimbank Community Panel to inform a full review and update of the Community Engagement Policy. Broader community consultation between 5 February to 3 March 2024, showed significant support of the draft Policy.
The final Policy articulates Council’s commitment to undertaking best practice community engagement to effectively inform decision-making processes. It provides guiding principles and approaches that are key to designing engagement opportunities for authentic community participation.
Communicating with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities
Council considered a report in response to a Notice of Motion from the October 2023 Council Meeting, which asked for a report to come back to Council outlining the ways in which Council communicates with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
The report outlined the ways in which Council shares information with CALD communities and in languages other than English.
The report stated Council will continue to ensure that communications aimed at CALD communities and suburbs with strong multicultural representation such as St Albans are tailored for those specific audiences.
We will continue gathering data through available channels, such as Google Analytics, Profile ID, Sprout Social (social media monitoring tool), MVA, other local governments, feedback forms, Your Say consultations, internal stakeholders and other channels to inform an evidence-based approach to CALD communications.
Final Draft Arts and Culture Strategy
Council adopted the Final Draft of the Arts and Culture Strategy (2024-2028) and will write to submitters to thank them for their submissions. The Arts and Culture Strategy aims to cultivate a rich and diverse cultural landscape that fosters creativity, inspires imagination and brings people together, making our community an even more vibrant and fulfilling place to live, work and visit.
The strategy aims to support community growth through Arts and Culture over the next four years by way of:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander connections
- Participation and collaboration
- Leadership and partnership
- Creative Industries
- Places and Spaces
Discount for Residents at Brimbank Leisure Centres
After significant benchmarking, confirming fees at Councils leisure centres are highly affordable when compared to similar leisure centres across metropolitan Melbourne, noting that discounting of fees for local residents at leisure centres is not industry practice, along with a range of other income mitigation factors impacting Council, the decision was made not to offer fee discounts to local residents.
Annual Brimbank Community Grants 2024/2025
Council has approved seven categories for the Brimbank Community Grants Program 2024-2025 as follows:
- Community Strengthening Grants – up to $10,000
- Climate Emergency Grants – up to $10,000
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants – up to $10,000
- Young People’s Ideas Grants – up to $10,000
- Community Festival and Event Grants – up to $10,000
- Major Festival and Event Grants – up to $25,000
- Seniors Operational Grants – up to $1,000
The grants provide assistance to not-for-profit organisations and community groups to deliver projects that improve Brimbank’s health and wellbeing, life-long learning, sustainable living and community networks.
Council will continue to provide support for grant applications to give applicants the best chance of success. This includes information sessions, with interpreters available upon request, and access to council officers to answer questions.
The Brimbank Community Grants Program 2024-2025 opens for applications on 29 May and closes on 14 July.
Final Draft Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan
Council has adopted the Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan to guide the future planning, design, development and ongoing feasibility and advocacy for Sunshine Energy Park.
The Vision Plan provides a framework to transform the site to become the ‘central park’ for Brimbank and Melbourne’s west in the future.
It sets an exciting long-term vision which enables the development of further feasibility studies and business cases that seek funding to deliver various aspects of the Vision Plan.
The Vision Plan aims to establish the park as a vibrant community landmark that nurtures connection to Country, supports sports, recreation, education, and environmental sustainability. Its location provides an opportunity to create a destination of local, regional, and state significance, thereby enhancing liveability and fostering community cohesion.
Sunshine Energy Park is located on Wurundjeri Land, situated within the Sunshine Priority Precinct.
It is 74 hectares of council-owned land that is part of the Closed Sunshine Landfills located in Albion and St Albans. The site was quarried for basalt from around 1900 and later reclaimed by landfilling until the late-1980s.
Aftercare of the landfill continues, including environmental monitoring, settlement monitoring and control of residual landfill gas. The Closed Sunshine Landfills are now suitable for recreation and community use after extensive rehabilitation works and aftercare management, which will continue into the future.
