Brimbank Council Meeting No. 636 - 20 August 2024

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12.11

Federal Level Advocacy Initiatives

12.11

Federal Level Advocacy Initiatives

Directorate

People, Partnerships and Performance

Director

Georgie Hill

Manager

Elie Khalil

Attachment(s)

1. 2025 Federal Election and Budget Brochure [

12.11.1

- 8

pages]

2. Delegates Report 2024 ALGA NGA [

12.11.2

- 2 pages]

Purpose

To highlight Council’s recent and upcoming advocacy initiatives that seek partnership at

the Federal level.

Officer Recommendation

That Council:

a. Endorses the attached ‘Brimbank Advocacy Priorities – 2025 Federal

Election and Budget’ brochure, shown at Attachment 1.

b. Notes the attached Delegate’s Report from the recent ALGA National

General Assembly, shown at Attachment 2.

Background

2025 Federal Election and Budget Brochure

Since the development of the 2023-2025 Advocacy Plan in September 2023, Council has

continued to advocate for our community’s key priorities which are listed in the table

below.

Level of Priority Topic of Priority

Gold

Transforming Brimbank

Gold

Mental Health

Silver

Road Infrastructure

Silver

Climate Emergency

Bronze

Addressing Unemployment

Bronze

Housing and Homelessness

Maintain Influence Melbourne Airport Third Runway

Maintain Influence Gambling Harm

Maintain Influence Major Parks

Maintain Influence Libraries

Maintain Influence Government Burden on Council

The next Federal Election is required to be held by May 2025. While this could take place

as early as November 2024, all reports suggest that it will be in 2025. In anticipation of

the election, and in preparation for the ensuing 2025-2026 Federal Budget, there is an

opportunity for Council to elicit election commitments which align with our advocacy

priorities.

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2024 ALGA National General Assembly

The ALGA National General Assembly was held in Canberra’s National Convention Centre

from 2 - 4 July 2024. Brimbank City Council was represented by three Councillors,

including the Mayor Cr Ranka Rasic.

Brimbank’s participation at this Assembly provided the opportunity to advocate for our

priorities at a national level. The Mayor and Councillors also met with Federal

Parliamentarians in Canberra’s Parliament House to advocate directly for Council’s

priorities.

Matters for Consideration

2025 Federal Election and Budget Brochure

Ahead of the 2025 Federal Election and the ensuing 2025-2026 Federal Budget, Council

has produced the new advocacy brochure at

Attachment 1

to outline our priorities at

the Federal level. These are summarised below.

1. Transform Sunshine into a Superhub

Earlier this year, the Australian Government appointed an independent mediator to

resolve the disagreement between the Victorian Government and the Melbourne Airport

operator over the Melbourne Airport Rail project. The airport operator had been calling

for an underground station, despite the Victorian Government’s preference to build it

above-ground. As a result, the Victorian Government has delayed the project by four

years. While the findings of the mediation supported the above-ground option, the report

also recommended that the Federal and State Governments move quickly to upgrade the

Sunshine Superhub, expressing that

, and that this would be a “no

regrets” strategy. Since the release of the mediator’s report, Melbourne Airport have

agreed to an above-ground station. Council is now advocating for the Victorian

Government to reconsider the four-year delay to its timeline and for the Australian

Government to invest in the development of the Sunshine Precinct as the first stage of

the Melbourne Airport Rail project.

2. Build the Calder Park Drive Interchange

As a result of the Federal Infrastructure Investment Program Strategic Review in 2023,

the previously committed $50m for Calder Freeway upgrades between the Western Ring

Road and Gap Road in Sunbury was withdrawn. Council is now calling for the $50m to be

reprioritised towards the construction of a full diamond interchange at Calder Park Drive.

3. A More Sustainable Brimbank

Earlier this year, the City of Brimbank was reported to be in the worst position in

metropolitan Melbourne when considering both poverty and heat, as we are the hottest

municipality in Melbourne and the second most disadvantaged. Our challenges in

addressing the climate emergency are therefore more prominent than in other parts of

the nation. That’s why Council is advocating for increased canopy cover in urban areas of

Australia with low canopy coverage, a national pilot program to fund energy upgrades in

low-income households, and funding support to establish a Sustainability and Circular

Economy Community Hub at Sunshine Energy Park in Albion.

4. Reducing Unemployment in Brimbank

As of March 2024, Brimbank’s unemployment rate of 6.1% was significantly higher than

the national average of 4.0% at the same time. Council is advocating for increased

funding for the Brimbank Learning Futures facility. This will provide tailored support for

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training, education and pathways to employment, transforming the facility into a

suburban study hub.

5. Improving Brimbank’s Community Facilities

Brimbank’s number of sports facilities per capita is well below the state average. In

addition, many existing sports facilities and amenities across the municipality require an

uplift to accommodate for the increasing participation in sports, especially amongst

women and girls. Our libraries are also in great need of expansion and refurbishment.

Australian Government investment is therefore needed to supplement Council’s funding

for our local community facilities.

2024 ALGA National General Assembly

At the recent ALGA National General Assembly, Brimbank submitted two motions

relevant to our advocacy priorities for ALGA to advocate on our behalf to the Australian

Government. The motions called on the Australian Government to increase its level of

funding for major highways and to provide greater support for the unemployed. Both

motions were endorsed at the Assembly. Further details about these motions are

presented in the Delegate’s Report in

Attachment 2

. The report also provides

information on the Brimbank delegation’s meetings with Federal Parliamentarians.

Community Engagement

This report is consistent with the policy, evidence and current positions of Council, widely

informed by community engagement and insight. The priorities in the ‘Brimbank

Advocacy Priorities – 2025 Federal Election and Budget’ brochure are informed by the

Brimbank Advocacy Plan 2023-2025.

Resource And Risk Implications

Resource requirements can be met within the Annual Budget 2023/2024.

There are no Community, Environmental, Financial, Regulatory or Safety risks are

identified.

Legislation/Council Plan/Policy Context

This report supports the Council Plan 2021-2025 strategic direction and objective of:

1. People and Community - A welcoming, safe and supported community - An

inclusive place for all

• Wellbeing and Belonging - Responsive services that support mental and physical

wellbeing

2. Places and Spaces - Liveable and connected neighbourhoods that support

healthy and sustainable futures - A green place for all

• Liveable and Connected - Inviting and liveable spaces and facilities, connected so

people can get around

• Sustainable and Green - Protect natural environments for current and future

generations

3. Opportunity and Prosperity - A future focused, transforming city where all

have opportunities to learn and earn - A prosperous place for all

• Growing and Transforming - Optimise community opportunities through infrastructure

innovation and investment

• Earning and Learning - Everyone has access to education, training and lifelong learning

to support their aspirations.

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This report complies with the priorities identified in the Brimbank Advocacy Plan 2023-

2025.

Council officers contributing to the preparation and approval of this report, have no

conflicts of interests to declare.

A vibrant and diverse community

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Attachment 12.11.1

2

Brimbank’s full potential can only be realised when

we are supported by the Australian Government

and are working together to ensure that the

municipality is receiving the necessary levels

of investment to sustain the rapid population

growth of Melbourne’s west. Such investments

will also go a long way towards addressing the

various challenges our residents face, including

inadequate access to public transport, unsafe

road connections, a relatively high unemployment

rate, as well as the impacts of climate change

and insufficient community infrastructure and

amenities. Brimbank City Council is strongly

committed to advocating on behalf of our residents

to address these challenges.

MELBOURNE AIRPORT

15 MINS

TO MELBOURNE CBD

15 MINS

COBBLEBANK

WERRIBEE

SUNSHINE

FOOTSCRAY

196,046

Population

15.4%

Population change

2023–2041

19.8%

with a Bachelor’s

degree or higher

compared with

29.2% for Victoria

6.1%

unemployment

rate compared

with 4.0% across

Australia

913

for the Index

of Relative

Socio-Economic

Disadvantage score

compared with

1,018 for Greater

Melbourne

Brimbank City Council respectfully

acknowledges and recognises the Wurundjeri

and Bunurong Peoples as the Traditional

Custodians of this land and pays respect to their

Elders, past, present and future.

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Attachment 12.11.1

Perhaps there is no greater potential than the Sunshine Central

Business District (CBD). Sunshine Station and the surrounding

precinct has been added to Infrastructure Australia’s priority

list of projects. It is also the only location in Melbourne that

the Victorian Government has declared a Metropolitan Activity

Centre, a National Employment and Innovation Centre, a

Priority Precinct and a Transport Super Hub.

The Sunshine CBD is therefore well placed to be the centre

of Melbourne’s booming west and a key economic hub, with

the capacity for an additional 29,000 jobs and 43,000 new

residents by 2051.

A key part of unlocking the job and housing growth in the

Sunshine CBD is the full delivery of the Sunshine Station

Masterplan, particularly investment to deliver the three

Victorian Government-owned development sites; Station

Place, Sun Crescent and Southern Village, each offering

diverse spaces for new businesses and affordable housing to

address the current housing crisis.

Council has facilitated the development of the Sunshine

Station Precinct through the sale of Council land, directly

opposite the station, to the Vietnamese Museum Australia

(VMA). This project is partly funded by the Australian

Government. Council is currently seeking funding for a new

‘Welcome Plaza’ adjacent to the VMA Museum, to both

acknowledge the Traditional Owners and to welcome all

refugee and migrant communities that make Melbourne’s

west so diverse.

Economic activity and housing opportunities can also

be amplified by the rebuild of the nearby Albion Station,

particularly if it is relocated north to straddle Ballarat Road and

is better integrated with the surrounding Albion Quarter. The

Albion Quarter is a 44-hectare urban renewal precinct in the

north of Sunshine CBD with the potential to unlock $2.8 billion

of development activity, 6,000 new homes and 8,000 new

jobs. Council has recently contributed to the evolution of the

Albion Quarter through the adoption of the Sunshine Energy

Park Vision Plan, which through future funding will create a

new 74-hectare central park to service the Sunshine CBD.

Coupled with the construction of the long overdue Melbourne

Airport Rail, set to pass through Sunshine Station, investment

in the Sunshine Precinct will unlock one of Melbourne’s largest

urban renewal opportunities and up to $8 billion in private

economic development opportunities, attracting businesses,

creative industries, and tourists to Melbourne’s west. In a

recent report commissioned by the Australian Government

and titled ‘Melbourne Airport Rail Link – Potential Pathways

to Delivery’, the independent evaluation recommended that

“work continues at Sunshine Station to transform this into the

major transport hub it was planned to be.” The evaluation also

found that this would be a “no regrets” strategy due to both the

benefits and the work already completed. These findings pave

the way for the development of the Sunshine Precinct to be

undertaken as the first stage of Melbourne Airport Rail project.

• The full delivery of the Sunshine Station

Masterplan as the first stage of the Melbourne

Airport Rail project, with works to progress

without further delay.

• The rebuild of Albion Station coupled with its

relocation to straddle Ballarat Road.

• A new ‘Welcome Plaza’ adjacent to the site of the

future Vietnamese Museum Australia .

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3

Attachment 12.11.1

In addition, Infrastructure Australia’s 2019 Report found

the Calder Freeway to be the seventh most congested road

in Australia during the morning peak, and the ninth most

congested in the afternoon peak, costing the economy over

$100 million per annum.

Although the 2023 Australian Government review of

infrastructure projects did not support funding for Calder

Freeway upgrades between the Western Ring Road and

Gap Road in Sunbury, this provides an opportunity for the

previously committed $50 million funding to be re-prioritised

towards the construction of a full diamond interchange at

Calder Park Drive.

The current intersection of the Calder Freeway with

Calder Park Drive is dangerous and leads to heavy traffic

congestion. A business case for this interchange was

completed by the Victorian Government in 2022, while

a similar diamond interchange was built in 2012 at the

Calder’s intersection with Kings Road.

Council seeks that the previously committed

$50 million of Australian Government funding

for Calder Freeway upgrades be reprioritised

towards the construction of a full diamond

interchange at the intersection of the Calder

Freeway and Calder Park Drive.

HILLSIDE

CALDER PARK

KEILOR NORTH

Not to scale

Proposed new freeway interchange

Potential future improvements

Level crossing removal

This is indicative only and subject to change

4

Calder Park

Raceway direct

Calder Freeway

access removed

Level crossing to

be removed by

Level Crossing

Removal Project

by 2025

Direct Calder Freeway access

removed and reinstated via new

Calder Park Drive Interchange

Calder Park Raceway

access reinstated via

a new intersection on

Calder Park Drive

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Attachment 12.11.1

A more sustainable Brimbank will require a much higher

canopy cover. Currently, Brimbank’s canopy cover stands at

just over 10%, with a goal to increase this to 30% by 2050.

A more sustainable future can also be achieved by government

investment in the retrofitting of low-income households to

reduce their carbon emissions. Other public benefits of such

an investment include job creation and more affordable home

heating and cooling, thereby alleviating the current cost-of

living crisis.

Additionally, there is an opportunity to evaluate the need for

infrastructure upgrades and establish a Sustainability and

Circular Economy Community Hub at Sunshine Energy Park

in Albion. This hub could potentially accommodate a mix of

Council-led, non-for-profit and commercial initiatives that

would convert the site to a regional drawcard.

• To enhance canopy cover in urban areas

of Australia with low canopy coverage and

significant urban heat island effects.

• For a national pilot program to fund

energy upgrades in vulnerable and low

income households.

• To support the feasibility, design and delivery of a

Sustainability and Circular Economy Community

Hub at Sunshine Energy Park in Albion.

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5

Attachment 12.11.1

In addition, Brimbank has high youth disengagement and

unemployment, which affects opportunities later in life and

contributes to a low-skilled municipality.

As of March 2024, Brimbank’s unemployment rate of 6.1%

is significantly higher than the national average of 4.0% at

the same time. This is among the highest in Metropolitan

Melbourne. Brimbank also has a lower-skilled workforce, with

48.3% of residents lacking formal qualifications compared

with 35.2% across Greater Melbourne.

An important facility within Brimbank that helps address

unemployment challenges, especially faced by youth, is the

Brimbank Learning Futures (BLF) in Sunshine. BLF serves as

a safe place where programs are run to help young people

and others in the community to receive tailored support

with training, education, and pathways to employment.

BLF has partnerships with Victoria University, Jobs Victoria

Employment Service providers, Trades Women Australia, and

local Registered Training Organisations.

BLF offers a unique opportunity to be a flagship Suburban

Study Hub that has the capacity to service the growth

suburbs of Melbourne’s west with an accessible location to

support vulnerable groups to attain recognised qualifications

and enhance future employment prospects. This will allow

for greater collaboration and partnerships to assist with

addressing the labour force shortages and skills gaps while

leveraging the knowledge and building on the model of the

regional study hubs. Furthermore, the hub will respond to

the changing jobs market in Brimbank that has seen declines

in the manufacturing industry, but with strong employment

growth being projected over the next few years in health care

and social assistance, retail trade, logistics and construction.

However, BLF is limited with what can be achieved with the

current resources allocated to the space.

Council seeks $1 million to fund the

transformation of the Brimbank Learning Futures

facility into a Suburban Study Hub.

6

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Attachment 12.11.1

Brimbank’s number of sports facilities per capita is well below

the state average. With the increasing participation of women

in sports, government funding is essential to ensure inclusive

leisure opportunities for the entire community and to equip our

facilities with suitable amenities.

Other community facilities that require greater government

investment are our libraries, as they are in desperate need of

expansion and refurbishment. Libraries play a crucial role in

fostering social inclusion, particularly in disadvantaged and

vulnerable communities like Brimbank.

• Construct a new football/cricket pavilion ($6.5

million) and a new tennis pavilion ($4.9 million)

at JR Parsons Reserve in Sunshine, with both to

include changing rooms, a social room, a kitchen,

umpire rooms, first aid and storage.

• Upgrade the facilities at Ralph Reserve in

Sunshine West, including the changing rooms and

toilets ($1 million).

• Install LED lighting for six tennis courts at Selwyn

Park and provide multi-purpose use on two courts

(e.g. futsal, pickleball) ($2.7 million).

• Upgrade the lighting at Lionheart Oval in Taylors

Lakes and Keilor Recreation Reserve Oval to both

LED and competition standard ($600,000).

• Redevelop the St Albans Library ($10 million).

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7

Attachment 12.11.1

PUBLISHED AUGUST 2024

9249 4000

info@brimbank.vic.gov.au

PO Box 70

SUNSHINE VIC 3020

brimbank.vic.gov.au

• TTY dial

• Speak and listen

•

, then enter

facebook.com/brimbankcouncil

x.com/BrimbankCouncil

youtube.com/brimbankcitycouncil

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Attachment 12.11.1

Page 1 of 2

Delegates Report – 2024 ALGA NGA

Report Details

Council

Delegates:

Cr Ranka Rasic (Mayor); Cr Thuy Dang; Cr Sam David JP

Committee/Event:

30

th

National General Assembly of the Australian Local Government

Association

Meeting Date:

2-4 July 2024

Report Author:

Elie Khalil

The 30

th

Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) National General Assembly (NGA) was

held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra from 2-4 July 2024. It was attended by over

1000 Councillors from all parts of Australia. This year’s theme was “Building Community Trust”.

Brimbank City Council was represented at the NGA by the Mayor Cr Ranka Rasic, Cr Thuy Dang

and Cr Sam David.

At the NGA, delegates attended a range of workshops and presentations by experts in various

fields. These covered topics such as politics and civic engagement, intergenerational equity and

fairness, and community trust in the built environment.

Delegates also listened to a number of Federal Government representatives and Federal MPs.

These included:

- The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley

- Hon Catherine King MP – Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and

Local Government

- Hon Peter Dutton MP – Leader of the Opposition

In response to ALGA seeking motions earlier this year to be considered at the 2024

NGA, Councillors were able to advocate for Brimbank’s priorities through a formal process of

motions and resolutions. The two motions that Brimbank proposed at the NGA, following their

endorsement at the Council Meeting on 19 March 2024, are listed below:

1.

Upgrades to Major Highways

– This National General Assembly calls on the Federal

Government to significantly increase the level of funding to upgrade major highways

across Australia and to work closer with Councils across the nation to better understand

the deficiencies in their road networks.

2.

Unemployment Support

– This National General Assembly calls on the Federal

Government to:

a. Increase the JobSeeker and Youth Allowance payments

b. Create an Economic Inclusion fund to create local job opportunities for local people.

Both motions were endorsed at the NGA and responses to these resolutions from Federal Ministers

will be made available on the ALGA website in due course.

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Attachment 12.11.2

Page 2 of 2

Led by Mayor Rasic, Brimbank Councillors also took the opportunity to meet with a range of

Federal MPs at Parliament House while in Canberra, including:

-

Hon Catherine King MP – Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development

and Local Government (ALP)

-

Senator the Hon. Sarah Henderson –Shadow Minister for Education (Liberal)

-

Senator James Paterson – Shadow Minister for Home Affairs and Shadow Minister for

Cyber Security (Liberal)

-

Dr Daniel Mulino MP – Member for Fraser (ALP)

-

Offices of Hon. Brendan O’Connor MP and Ms Maria Vamvakinou MP

At these meetings, Brimbank Councillors advocated on important local issues, with a particular

focus on the construction of the Melbourne Airport Rail, the development of the Sunshine Priority

Precinct, upgrading the Calder Freeway and Council’s concerns with Melbourne Airport’s proposed

third runway.

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Attachment 12.11.2