Council Meeting Snapshot - Wednesday 23 April 2025

Published on 23 April 2025

To keep our community up to date with key Council decisions, outcomes and plans; here is a snapshot summary from Council’s Wednesday 23 April Council Meeting.           

Planning and Development

Planning Scheme Amendment C151bawb  - Public Open Space Contribution Rates

Council noted the public release of the Planning Panel Report for Planning Scheme Amendment C151bawb, as per Section 26 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Council, having considered the Planning Panel Report in respect to Amendment C151bawb under Section 27(1) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 moved to;

  • Adopt Amendment C151bawb in accordance with Section 29 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 as per the Amendment C151bawb documentation;

  • Submit the adopted Amendment C151bawb documentation, together with the prescribed information to the Minister for Planning for approval pursuant to Section 31 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987; and,

  • Write to all the submitters to Amendment C151bawb to advise them of Council's decision.

Community Infrastructure

General Business Response - Feasibility of purchasing portable change rooms

Council noted the report in response to the General Business Motion raised by Cr Pratt at the 4 December 2024 Council Meeting regarding the feasibility of purchasing, operating and maintaining up to three portable change rooms.

Notice of Motion Response - Drouin Parking Restrictions

Council noted the report in response to the Notice of Motion tabled at the 12 February 2025 Council Meeting by Cr Hamilton relating to parking restriction changes in the Drouin CBD.

Council moved to cease further action on the Drouin Parking Study implementation plan, and upon the completion of the Drouin Primary School works, undertake monitoring of parking usage in the Drouin CBD study area including Sinclair Street, Drouin.

General Business Motion Response - Viability of purchasing the Longwarry Recreation Reserve

Council moved to endorse Officers to negotiate with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to progress options to vest Longwarry Recreation Reserve to Council. Council Officers will write to The Hon. Lily D'Ambrosio MP, coordinating minister for DEECA, to advocate for the transfer of ownership of the land to Council. This item was passed unanimously.

Council Hall and Reserve Community Asset Committee Annual Report 2023/24

Council noted the Hall and Reserve Community Asset Committee Annual Report for 2023/24.

Council thanked all volunteers managing a Community Assets Committee for the valuable work they do at their respective venues.

Strategy and Organisational Performance

Draft Budget, Revenue and Rating Plan, and 25/26 Capital Works Program for Public Exhibition

Council endorsed the following documents to be placed on public exhibition;

a. Draft Annual Budget 2025/26 (including Fees and Charges appendix)
b. Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025/26 - 2028/29
c. Draft Capital Works Program 2025/26

Council moved to;

  • Authorise the Chief Executive Officer to give public notice of the preparation of the draft Annual Budget 2025/26, draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025/26 – 2028/29 and draft Capital Works Program 2025/26; and to make available copies of the documents for public inspection;
  • In accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Policy invite submissions of feedback on the contents of the draft documents until 5pm Wednesday 21 May 2025, and provide submitters with the opportunity to be heard in person by Council; and;
  • Consider the adoption of the Annual Budget 2025/26 (including Fees and Charges appendix), the Revenue and Rating Plan 2025/26 – 2028/29 and the Capital Works Program 2025/26 at the Council Meeting to be held on Wednesday 11 June 2025 at the Fountain Room, West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul.

Kindergarten Infrastructure Services Plan and Options to Address Projected Deficit in Supply of Kindergarten Places

Council moved an amended recommendation to; 

  • Reluctantly endorse the Kindergarten Infrastructure and Services Plan, making use of the local context data option to detail Council's strong concerns regarding data discrepancies in the Drouin SA2, and documenting Council's requirement for a full data review in 2027;
  • Seek to address immediate need for kindergarten infrastructure in Warragul, Drouin and Trafalgar, and the Mt Baw Baw SA2 by submitting funding applications under the Building Blocks Grant Program, building Council's co-contribution into the Long Term Infrastructure Plan; and,
  • Undertake an internal review of supply and demand analysis every year to assess the impact of this approach.

Governance Report

Governance Report 23 April 2025

Council moved to;

  • Note the 23 April 2025 Governance Report;
  • Note the 31 March 2025 Audit and Risk Committee Meeting Minutes; and,
  • Appoint Cr Suzanne Allen to be its representative on the Municipal Emergency Management Planning Committee. 

General Business

Cr Lucas moved a General Business motion that requested that Council receive a report no later than four meetings' time detailing homelessness in Baw Baw Shire. The report should include, but not be limited to:

a. Council's support for people experiencing homelessness, if any;
b. Relationships Council has, or may form, with social welfare agencies supporting people experiencing homelessness: and,
c. Any possible actions Council could consider to support people experiencing homelessness within Baw Baw Shire.

Moved: Cr Lucas

Seconded: Cr Allen

Baw Baw Shire Council's Council Meetings are open to the public and are held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre.

Council Meetings will commence at 5:30pm on the second Wednesday of the month, and 1:00pm on the fourth Wednesday of the month.

All Council meetings will be live-streamed, and archived recordings will be available on the Council website for viewing.

The agenda for the next meeting will be available online the Friday prior to the meeting.

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