December 2021

Community Services and Infrastructure Planning Major Policy

2

The purpose is to provide rationale and justification as to how Council plans, provides and maintains

services and infrastructure in ways that are both effective and efficient.

The aim of this Major Policy is to outline Council’s guiding principles and commitments that inform the

planning and delivery of community services and infrastructure that respond to identified and emerging

needs both now and in the future.

The policy objectives for community service and infrastructure planning include:

To provide Council with a consistent, responsive and evidence based approach to its

planning and delivery of local, connected and sustainable community services and

facilities.

To develop and maintain a network of quality, flexible and responsive community services and

infrastructure that are designed and operated to meet the diverse needs ofthe communities

of Brimbank.

Applying an evidence-based planning approach to understand universal needs and

demands as well as addressing specific areas of disadvantage and inequity.

Building and supporting an inclusive, healthy and resilient community.

referstoCouncil owned or managedfacilitiesthataccommodate

serviceswhich support and contribute to meeting the needs and promoting the wellbeing of

individuals, families, groups and communities through the life stages that fulfils a generic

community function including:

a.

Sport and Recreation

b.

Arts and Culture

c.

Life Stage Services (Maternal Child Health, Kindergarten, Playgroups, Long Day Care, Youth

Services, Planned ActivityGroups)

d.

Community Halls and Meeting Spaces

e.

Library Services

f.

Neighborhood Houses

g.

Bicycle/Sport and Recreation Education

h.

Housing of local heritage and historical artefacts

i.

Scouts and Girl Guides

j.

Other facilities determined to consistent with the objectives of the policy

refers to the activities and programs that address an identified social or

health need. Community services support individuals to actively participate in social and economic

life and build more inclusive communities.

are the internal Council processes that are implemented to achieve an

organisational response to community service needs analysis and community infrastructure

planning.

Community Services and Infrastructure Planning Major Policy

3

This is a Major Policy, in accordance with the Governance (Major Policy Consultation) Local Law No.3. Council

considers this policy to be of major significance, and has committed to a public and transparent consultation

process that provides an opportunity for people affected by a major policy, to address the Council.

As a Major Policy, Council will, as a minimum, undertake a community consultation process asset out in its

Governance (Major Policy Consultation) Local Law No.3.

Council may, in addition to the mandatory process, consult individually with any person or group whose

interests are likely to be materially affected by this policy.

The following guiding principles consistent with Council’s Vision, Mission and Values and in line with the

Community and Council Plans will be taken into account in the planning and delivery of community

services and infrastructure.



New and upgraded facilities are universally designed and aim to be welcoming, socially

inclusive and encouraging of active lifestyles, taking into account the diverse needs of our

community.



Development over time will ensure facilities are equally distributed across the municipality to

address diverse needs and local access.



Services and programs from facilities are affordable to decrease economic barriers to

participation.



Facility developments address inequity of access that may occur with identified vulnerable or

underrepresented groups based on evidence from available data and research.



Community facilities are planned and designed for the broadest possible use by a range of

groups, services and activities, and are flexible and multi-purpose in nature.



Community infrastructure responds to and is integrated with the surrounding area,

encouraging social connection, building a sense of place and contributing to developing social

capital and capacity building.



Community infrastructure and their operation focus on connecting people to services, facilities

and experiences to enhance their overall health and wellbeing.



Facilities will be cost efficient, fit for purpose and give value for money for Council and other

potential funding providers.



Establishing the purpose and function of a facility is based on the community profile and

priorities for the facility’s catchment area, as well as consideration of evidence based data and

research of community need and vulnerability.



New and upgraded facilities are designed in an environmentally sustainability manner, with

respect to heritage aspects of locations as required.



New partnership models of funding for community infrastructure are sought.



Community facilities are designed and governed using appropriate management models to

meet their full capacity, making best use of existing community facilities where appropriate.

Community Services and Infrastructure Planning Major Policy

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Council’s approach to community service and infrastructure planning involves:

– Council commitsto delivering quality servicesin and out of Council infrastructure

that adopt best practice approachesin supporting the health and wellbeing ofthe Brimbank

Community.

– Council aims to align services that address all life-stages, through

the provision of community infrastructure that is modern, flexible, well located and accessible rather

than developing ‘single use’ facilities.

– Council will seek opportunities to expand and

improve existing infrastructure, when deemed appropriate.

– Councilwillseek alternative service and infrastructure delivery options by

establishing partnerships with a range ofstakeholders.

This policy will guide the planning and delivery of community services and associated infrastructure by

utilising the following methodology and operational guidelines as appropriate:

Stage 1: Social Planning and Research

Stage 2: Service Planning and Review

Stage 3: Asset Management

Stage 4: Community Infrastructure Planning

Stage 5: Project Development

Stage 6: Project Delivery

Stage 7: Project Evaluation and Framework Review

The following high level framework will form the basis for assessment of future priority setting and decision

making in relation to community infrastructure. Each plan covered under this Major Policy will use criteria

aligned and weighted as appropriate to suit the type of infrastructure being considered for prioritisation.



To meet current and future population demand both on Municipal and Planning District

basis.



Suitable available open space for new development



Facilities consider universal access for all.



Facilities are located in reasonable travel times and distances.



Facilities are fit for purpose and comply with legislative requirements.



Comparison with established minimum standards or provision ratios.



Results from Facility Condition reports and Fit for Purpose assessments.

Community Services and Infrastructure Planning Major Policy

5



Alignment with Council Plans, Policy and the Brimbank Planning Scheme.



Indicators of health and education and the contributing social and economic factors identified

in relevant research including the Brimbank Atlas of Health and Education



Number of people who will directly benefit



Level of utilisation of facilities.



Capacity for multipurpose use/ future expansion.



Savings in maintenance costs and whole of project life cost benefit.



External funding opportunities



Factors determined relevant to specific infrastructure being assessed.

The Chief Executive Officer may approve the development and subsequent review of Operational

Guidelines as required, in line with this policy, to assist in itsimplementation.

Section 9(1) of the Local Government Act 2020 (Act) requires Council to give effect to the overarching

governance principles, in the performance of its role. Section 9(2) of the Act specifies the governance

principles as follows:

a. Council decisions are to be made and actions taken in accordance with the relevant law

; b. Priority is to be given to achieving the best outcomes for the municipal community, including future

generations

;

c. The economic, social and environmental sustainability of the municipal district, including mitigation and

planning for climate change risks, is to be promoted

;

d. The municipal community is to be engaged in strategic planning and strategic decision making

;

e. Innovation and continuous improvement is to be pursued

;

f. Collaboration with other Councils and Governments and statutory bodies is to be sought

;

g. The ongoing financial viability of the Council is to be ensured

;

h. Regional, state and national plans and policies are to be taken into to account in strategic planning and

decision making

;

i. The transparency of Council decisions, actions and information is to be ensured

(a) Compliance with the law

Not applicable for this Policy.

(b) Achieve best outcomes for the community This Policy p

rovides Council with a

consistent, responsive and evidence

based approach to its planning and

delivery of local, connected and

sustainable community services and

facilities.

(c) Promote the sustainability of the

municipality

This Policy is aligned with Council’s Climate

Emergency Plan, Environmental

Sustainability Design Framework and has

Sustainability as a Guiding Principle.

(d) Engage the community in strategic planning

and decision making

Under the Policy community consultation is

undertaken when its amended and on the

plans developed under its strategic direction.

(e) Strive for innovation and continuous

improvement

Not applicable for this Policy.

(f) Collaborate with all other levels of

government and government agencies

This Policy sets Councils strategic direction

for infrastructure development which

informs funding applications to all levels of

Government.

(g) Secure the ongoing financial viability of

Council

The Guiding Principles for this Policy includes

Economic Efficiency and Value for Money to

ensure facilities will be cost effective, fit for

purpose and give value for Council and other

potential funding providers.

(h) Strategic planning and decision making must

take into account plans and policies in

operation at all levels

As per 7.0 Related Council Policy and

Strategy, this Policy considers a significant

number of Council policies.

(i) Council decisions, actions and information

must be transparent

This Policy’s Principles ensure an evidenced

based fair and transparent process informs

Council decisions.

Draft Brimbank Council Plan (2021 – 2025)

Brimbank Community Plan (2009 – 2030)

Brimbank 2040 Community Vision

Brimbank Community Services and Infrastructure Plan (2018)

Brimbank Sports Facilities Development Plan (2018)

Community Facilities Capital Development Major Policy (2016)

Community Facilities and Reserves Allocation Policy (2014)

Community Facilities Hire and Leases Agreement Major Policy (2016)

Sports Facility Hire, Licences and Leases Agreement Major Policy (2014)

Brimbank Social Justice Charter 2018

Community Services and Infrastructure Planning Major Policy

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Brimbank Children’s Strategy (2020 – 2024)

Brimbank Youth Strategy (2020-2024)

Brimbank Age Friendly City Plan (2018 – 2022)

Brimbank Cultural Strategy (2018 – 2022)

Brimbank Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Strategy (2018- 2023)

Brimbank Lifelong Learning Strategy (2018 – 2023)

Brimbank Library Strategy (2020-2025)

Brimbank Environmentally Sustainable Design Framework (2017)

Brimbank Heritage Strategy (2018 – 2023)

Brimbank Long Term Financial Plan

Brimbank Strategic Resource Plan

Municipal Development Contributions Plan

Brimbank Asset Management Policy

Victorian Local Government Act (2020)

Victorian Planning & Environment Act (1987)

Disability Discrimination Act (1992)

Plan Melbourne (2017 – 2050)

National Competition Policy

Growing Brimbank: The Brimbank Atlas of Health and Education (2014)

Growing Brimbank: The Spatial Map of Physical and Social Infrastructure (2017)

This Major Policy can only be made, amended, modified orrevoked, in accordance with the requirements ofthe

Governance MajorPolicy ConsultationLocal Law No. 3.

Historyofamendment

1 December 2021

Inclusion of all relevant community

infrastructure plans under this Major Policy

Approved by council:

Date approved by council:

16 October 2018

9249 4000

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POBox70,Sunshine,VIC3020

•

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•

Speak & Listen 1300 555 727

•

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