Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

36 of 11

0

12.2

Governance Report March 2025

People, Partnerships and Performance

Georgie Hill

Danny Bilaver

1. Record of Informal Meeting of Councillors - For Council

Meeting 18 March 2025 [

- 10 pages]

2. Delegates and Representatives Report - For Council

Meeting 18 March 2025 [

- 5 pages]

3. Councillor Expenses - Quarters 1 and 2 of Financial Year

2024-2025 [

- 1 page]

4. Brimbank City Council Submission to WOMEDA

Consultation Paper [

- 9 pages]

5. Confirmed Minutes 27 February 2025 Meeting 142 [

- 10 pages]

For Council to consider:

•

A summary of recent Governance activity.

•

Contracts entered into, and works orders approved in accordance with the S7

Instrument of Sub Delegation.

•

Councillor Declarations of Representations by Members of Parliament.

•

Councillor Support Expenses for Quarters 1 and 2 of Financial Year 2024/2025.

•

Proposal for a Sister Municipality Relationship.

•

Council’s Submission to the West of Melbourne Economic Dev

elopment Alliance

Draft Consultation Paper

–

Towards an Economic Development Strategy for the

West of Melbourne 2025.

•

The minutes from the 27 February 2024 Audit and Risk Committee Meeting.

The monthly governance report is a standing report to Council, in accordance with best

practice and good governance principles, and to ensure compliance with the

requirements of the

and the Model Councillor Code

of Conduct 2024.

Council delegates powers, duties and functions to the Chief Executive Officer in order to

support efficient operation and delivery of Council services. The Chief Executive Officer

has sub-delegated some authority to Directors (and other Council officers). Significant

decisions made, or actions undertaken exercising delegated authority, are reported to

Council as a transparency and accountability measure.

The Chief Executive Officer has been delegated authority by Council to award contracts

up to $2,000,000 (exclusive of GST) through an Instrument of Delegation made on 23

April 2024 (S5 Instrument of Delegation to the Chief Executive Officer). The Chief

Executive Officer has sub-delegated authority to Directors to award contracts up to

$200,000 (inclusive of GST) through an Instrument of Delegation made on 12 December

2023 (S7 Instrument of Sub-Delegation by the Chief Executive Officer).

25/3586Q Provision of Road

Condition Survey 2025

Infrastructure

Management

Group

$196,542.74 10 February

2025

25/3591 Maintenance of Electric

Security and CCTV

Systems

Integrated

Security Services

$640,782.00 10 February

2025

25/3556 Underground Drainage

Upgrade Relining

Program 2024-25

Underground

Experts

$496,046.74 18 February

2025

25/3581 Construction of Cricket

Nets

–

Stadium Drive

Keilor Park

RMS

Groundworks Pty

Ltd

$336,787.00 3 March 2025

An Informal Meeting of Councillors includes meetings that are:

•

Scheduled or planned for the purpose of discussing the business of Council or

briefing Councillors,

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

38 of 11

0

•

Attended by at least one member of Council staff, and

•

Not Council meetings, Delegated Committee meetings or Community Asset

Committee meetings.

Written records of Informal Meetings of Councillors are kept and include the names of all

Councillors and Council officers attending, the matters considered, any conflict of interest

disclosures made, and whether a Councillor who has disclosed a conflict of interest

leaves the meeting.

These records, as soon as practicable, will be reported at a Council Meeting, and

incorporated in the minutes of that Council Meeting.

Records of Informal Meetings of Councillors

were received for the

following meetings:

25 February 2025 Briefing

26 February 2025 Councillor Planning Workshop 2

3 March 2025

Briefing

4 March 2025

Councillor Planning Workshop 3

11 March 2025

Council Meeting Briefing

The participation on a range of local, specific issues, committees established by Council,

peak body/sector associations, and local and regional forums, is an essential part of the

representative role Council plays. Council nominates Councillors as delegates and

representatives to these committees annually.

The role, as the Council delegate or Council representative on these committees, is to

represent the position of Council, and report back to Council at a Council Meeting on the

issues or progress of the committees, and any recommendations made by the

committees.

Delegate’s and Representative’s Reports

were received for the

following meetings:

11 December 2025 LeadWest

Cr Katharine Nikolic

11 February 2025 LeadWest

Cr Katharine Nikolic

28 February 2025 Western Melbourne Tourism

Cr Duyen Anh Pham

Councillors have a legitimate role in advocating on behalf of their communities. At times,

this may include the receiving of representations by a Member of State or Federal

Parliament, to Council or Councillors. Councillors will declare and record any

representations made to a Councillor by a Member of Parliament or their staff

representative.

Councillor Declarations of Representations by Members of Parliament were received for

the following meetings.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

39 of 11

0

A summary of Councillor expenses for Quarters 1 and 2 of financial year 2024/2025 is at

. All expenses reimbursed were reimbursed in accordance with the

Councillor Support Policy.

20 January 2025 Cr Thuy

Dang

Daniel Mulino

MP

Welcome Plaza

Melbourne Airport Rail

LeadWest delegation to Canberra

Sustainable Brimbank

JR Parsons Reserve

Suburban Study Hub

Melbourne Airport third runway

10 February 2025 Cr Thuy

Dang

Luba

Grigorovitch

MP

Melbourne Airport Rail

Taylors Road

Better Buses

Homelessness Support

Deer Park Library

11 February 2025 Cr Thuy

Dang

Sarah Connolly

MP

Melbourne Airport Rail/Sunshine

Precinct

Sunshine Energy Park

Better Buses for Brimbank

Homelessness Support

Sunshine Library

28 February 2025 Cr Thuy

Dang

Natalie

Hutchins MP

Fix the Calder

Taylors Road

Lionheart Oval and Keilor Recreation

Oval

Rai

l before Runway campaign

Ho

melessness Support

Libraries in Brimbank

Syde

nham Station Old Building

Syde

nham Dog Park

12

February

2025 Cr Katharine

Nikolic

Hon Catherine

King MP

Hon Tim Watts

MP

Senator Steph

Hodgins-May

Daniel Mulino

MP

Peter Khalil MP

Sam Rae MP

As Deputy Chair of LeadWest I

joined the LeadWest delegation to

Parliament House Canberra on 11

and 12 February 2025 to meet

with Federal Government MPs from

various political parties. The purpose

of the visit was to boost the profile

of the alliance and to advocate

for commitments ahead of the

upcoming Federal Election. The visit

to Canberra provided a great

opportunity to discuss unlocking

investment to

provide Melbourne’s

West with transport connectivity,

greater economic development,

employment opportunities, urban

renewal and improved well-being.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

40 of 11

0

In February 2025, the Mayor received a letter from Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City

(Nepal) proposing to establish a sister municipality relationship with Brimbank City

Council. Council’s position has been not to enter into sister municipality relationships,

and Brimbank City Council has not entered into any such relationships to date. It is

recommended that Council not accept the proposal, and the Mayor will respond on behalf

of Council to advise accordingly.

In December 2024, WoMEDA released a consultation paper as part of a process to

develop their economic development strategy for the West of Melbourne. The WoMEDA

consultation paper seeks feedback from key stakeholders in the West of Melbourne about

priorities for the region over the decade ahead and follows on from their previous 2017

West of Melbourne Economic Development Strategy. Submissions are due by 31 March

2025.

WoMEDA is an alliance of public and private institutions across the West of Melbourne,

working in tandem with local government and engaging with industry. Its current board

comprises senior executive representation from Wyndham, Brimbank, and Maribynong

City Councils, Western Health, Greater Western Water and Victoria University, and is

chaired by Peter Dawkins, former Vice-Chancellor and President, Victoria University.

The submission, shown at

, is broadly supportive of the direction, issues

and opportunities identified within the Consultation Paper and highlights a range of

Council priorities and matters for further consideration by WoMEDA. The key Council

priorities with the Consultation Paper are:

•

Elevate the importance for the State Government to urgently recommence

works to construct Airport Rail so it is completed before the third runway at

Melbourne Airport. This includes the Sunshine Super Hub and Albion Station

redevelopments and construction of a new rail station at Keilor East. The

construction of Airport Rail is a city shaping transport investment that will

deliver significant economic benefits to Brimbank and Melbourne’s west. Airport

Rail is essential infrastructure required to support an airport forecast to service

83 million passengers annually by 2046, which is more than double the current

activity levels.

•

Include Sunshine Energy Park as a key infrastructure investment in the

Consultation Paper in line with Council’s adopted vision for it to become a future

premium parkland for Melbourne’s west, which will include a state

-significant

stadium and sports fields, a solar farm, an extensive urban forest and wetland

system, and new play spaces.

•

Maintain the Sunshine Employment Precinct as a stand-alone precinct in

accordance with the polycentric city model. This submission supports four

employment precincts within Melbourne’s west including Sunshine, Footscray,

Werribee and Melton, which is considered necessary to service the growth and

development of Melbourne’s west.

•

Emphasise the need for the State Government to develop a comprehensive

integrated transport strategy for Melbourne’s West that sets the vision for how

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

41 of 11

0

the transport network will facilitate movement and connectivity in Melbourne’s

growing west. It should also identify regional transport priorities, projects, and

sequencing to confirm and drive funding commitments to rail, bus, State road

and other strategically important investments, and inform municipal transport

planning. The Transport Integration Act 2010 requires the Victorian Department

of Transport to prepare and periodically revise a Victorian transport plan that

defines the activities required to achieve the transport system objectives

outlined in the Act.

It is proposed that Council notes and endorses the Submission shown at

and provides it to WoMEDA.

Council held its quarterly Audit and Risk Committee Meeting on the 27 February 2025.

The confirmed minutes are provided in

for noting

Resource requirements can be met within the Annual Budget 2024/2025.

legal, legislative or regulatory implications including the rights/obligations

of stakeholders

• This report fulfils legislative governance obligations, to provide transparent and

accountable reporting of governance activity.

There are no Community, Safety, Environmental or Financial risks identified.

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

• High Performing and Accountable

- Our workforce strives to enhance services and

liveability for the Brimbank community.

This report complies with the

, Council Plan 2021-2025, S5 Instrument of

Delegation to the Chief Executive Officer, S7 Instrument of Sub-Delegation by the Chief

Executive Officer, Model Councillor Code of Conduct 2024 and Procurement Policy.

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

conflicts of interests to declare.

Page 1 of 2

Record of Informal

Meeting of Councillors

Title:

Briefing

Date:

25 February 2025

6.00pm to 8.00pm

Location:

BCCC - Council Chambers

Councillors in

attendance:

☐

Cr Joh Bauch

☒

Cr Victoria Borg

☒

Cr Thuy Dang

☐

Cr Maria Kerr

☒

Cr Daniel Kruk

☒

Cr Lucy Nguyen

☒

Cr Katharine Nikolic

☒

Cr Ranka Rasic (online)

☒

Cr Duyen Anh Pham

☒

Cr Virginia Tachos (online)

☒

Cr Kim Thien Truong

Council Officers in

attendance:

Fiona Blair, Chief Executive Officer

Chris Leivers, Director Infrastructure and City Services

Mark Stoermer, Director Corporate Services

Kelvin Walsh, Director City Futures

Erin Clark, Acting Director Community Wellbeing

Other attendees:

Bright Osagiede, Acting Manager Asset and Property

Paul Bezemer, Coordinator Strategic Transport

Peter Forbes, Coordinator Economic Development

Jenny Mitten, Senior Economic Development Officer

Right Angle (external)

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

42 of 110

Attachment 12.2.1

Page 2 of 2

Name of Council

Officer completing

Record of

:

Chris Leivers, Director Infrastructure and City Services

1. Visitor Economy Update and Workshop

nil

<Select one>

2. Integrated Transport Presentation and

Workshop

nil

<Select one>

3. Confidential Item

nil

<Select one>

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

43 of 110

Attachment 12.2.1

Page 1 of 2

Record of Informal

Meeting of Councillors

Title:

Councillor Planning Workshop

Date:

26 February 2025

6.00pm to 9.00pm

Location:

BCCC - Level 6 Events Space

Councillors in

attendance:

☐

Cr Joh Bauch

☒

Cr Victoria Borg

☒

Cr Thuy Dang

☒

Cr Maria Kerr

☒

Cr Daniel Kruk

☒

Cr Lucy Nguyen

☒

Cr Katharine Nikolic

☐

Cr Ranka Rasic

☒

Cr Duyen Anh Pham

☒

Cr Virginia Tachos

☒

Cr Kim Thien Truong

Council Officers in

attendance:

Fiona Blair, Chief Executive Officer

Erin Clark, Acting Director Community Wellbeing

Georgie Hill, Director People, Partnerships and Performance

Chris Leivers, Director Infrastructure and City Services

Mark Stoermer, Director Corporate Services

Kelvin Walsh, Director City Futures

Other attendees:

Name of Council

Officer completing

Record of

:

Georgie Hill, Director People, Partnerships and Performance

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

44 of 110

Attachment 12.2.1

Page 2 of 2

1. Councillor Planning Workshop

NIL

<Select one>

Forwar

d compl

eted Recor

d of Informal

Meeti

ng of Councillors to Gover

nance withi

n 48 hours of the meeti

ng for Reporting to Council.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

45 of 110

Attachment 12.2.1

Page 1 of 2

Record of Informal

Meeting of Councillors

Title:

Briefing

Date:

3 March 2025

6.00pm to 8.00pm

Location:

BCCC Chambers

Councillors in

attendance:

☒

Cr Joh Bauch

☒

Cr Victoria Borg

☒

Cr Thuy Dang

☐

Cr Maria Kerr

☒

Cr Daniel Kruk

☒

Cr Lucy Nguyen

☒

Cr Katharine Nikolic

☒

Cr Ranka Rasic

☒

Cr Duyen Anh Pham

☒

Cr Virginia Tachos

☒

Cr Kim Thien Truong

Council Officers in

attendance:

Fiona Blair, Chief Executive Officer

Erin Clark, A/Director Community Wellbeing

Georgie Hill, Director People, Partnerships and Performance

Chris Leivers, Director Infrastructure and City Services

Mark Stoermer, Director Corporate Services

Kelvin Walsh, Director City Futures

Other attendees:

Name of Council

Officer completing

Record of

:

Georgie Hill, Director People, Partnerships and Performance

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

46 of 110

Attachment 12.2.1

Page 2 of 2

1. Councillor Request and Portal Overview

Nil

<Select one>

2. Managing Difficult Behaviour

Nil

<Select one>

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

47 of 110

Attachment 12.2.1

Page 1 of 2

Record of Informal

Meeting of Councillors

Title:

Briefing

Date:

4 March 2025

6.00pm to 8.55pm

Location:

BCCC Chambers

Councillors in

attendance:

☒

Cr Joh Bauch

☒

Cr Victoria Borg

☒

Cr Thuy Dang

☒

Cr Maria Kerr

☒

Cr Daniel Kruk

☐

Cr Lucy Nguyen

☒

Cr Katharine Nikolic

☒

Cr Ranka Rasic

☒

Cr Duyen Anh Pham

☒

Cr Virginia Tachos

☒

Cr Kim Thien Truong

Council Officers in

attendance:

Fiona Blair, Chief Executive Officer

Erin Clark, A/Director Community Wellbeing

Georgie Hill, Director People, Partnerships and Performance

Chris Leivers, Director Infrastructure and City Services

Mark Stoermer, Director Corporate Services

Kelvin Walsh, Director City Futures

Other attendees:

Jake Hart, Manager Capital works and Building Program

Name of Council

Officer completing

Record of

:

Georgie Hill, Director People, Partnerships and Performance

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

48 of 110

Attachment 12.2.1

Page 2 of 2

1. Councillor Planning Workshop 3

Nil

<Select one>

2. 25/26 Capital Works Program - First Draft

Nil

<Select one>

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

49 of 110

Attachment 12.2.1

Page 1 of 2

Record of Informal

Meeting of Councillors

Title:

Council Meeting Briefing

Date:

11 March 2025

6.00pm to 7.50pm

Location:

Online

Councillors in

attendance:

☒

Cr Joh Bauch

☒

Cr Victoria Borg

☐

Cr Thuy Dang

☐

Cr Maria Kerr

☒

Cr Daniel Kruk

☒

Cr Lucy Nguyen

☒

Cr Katharine Nikolic

☒

Cr Ranka Rasic

☒

Cr Duyen Anh Pham

☒

Cr Virginia Tachos

☒

Cr Kim Thien Truong

Council Officers in

attendance:

Fiona Blair, Chief Executive Officer

Erin Clark, Acting Director Community Wellbeing

Kristen Gilbert, Acting Director City Futures

Georgie Hill, Director People, Partnerships and Performance

Chris Leivers, Director Infrastructure and City Services

Mark Stoermer, Director Corporate Services

Other attendees:

< Enter the organisation/s of external attendees.

eg

Community Representatives x2

Cohealth Representative >

Name of Council

Officer completing

Record of

:

Georgie Hill, Director People, Partnerships and Performance

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

50 of 110

Attachment 12.2.1

Page 2 of 2

1. Governance Report

Georgie Hill

Yes

2. Quarterly Advocacy Report

Nil

<Select one>

3. Vietnamese Museum Australia and Welcome

Plaza

Nil

<Select one>

4. Draft Integrated Water Management Strategy Nil

<Select one>

5. Connected Brimbank

Nil

<Select one>

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

51 of 110

Attachment 12.2.1

Page 1 of 2

Council Delegate's Report

Cr Katharine Nikolic

LeadWest Joint Delegated Committee

11 December 2024

Hillary Hastings

Report

The Executive Officer opened the meeting and delivered the acknowledgment of country.

The Executive Officer welcomed newly elected Councillors to the LeadWest Delegated

Committee.

The Executive Officer asked members to introduce themselves.

The Executive Officer facilitated the election of LeadWest Chair and Deputy Chair for the term of

12 months. The election process was outlined and followed the LeadWest Terms of Reference

guidelines. Cr Dr Phillip Zada from Melton City Council was elected Chair and Cr Katharine

Nikolic from Brimbank City Council was elected Deputy Chair. A short break was called and

then the Executive Officer handed over the meeting to Cr Dr Zada as Chair.

No Conflicts of Interest.

The minutes of the previous meeting on 11 September were adopted.

The Federal Election Advocacy Brochure was approved. A visit to Parliament House Canberra

was locked in, to be held in a sitting week in February 2025.

The findings of commissioned research from CPR Consultants on government funding

investment in the West was discussed.

Lead West has a suite of approved position statements. New statements need to be prepared

around Housing & Homelessness in the West and Cost of Living.

The executive Officer presented a finance report and Media update.

The chair acknowledged and thanked outgoing committee members. Letters of thanks to be

sent to all outgoing members.

Meeting dates were approved for 2025: Wednesday 5 March, Wednesday 4 June, Wednesday 3

September and Wednesday 3 December

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

52 of 110

Attachment 12.2.2

Page 2 of 2

Recommendations

There were no matters to be considered by Council.

26 February 2025 at 3:00pm, Maribyrnong City Council

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

53 of 110

Attachment 12.2.2

Page 1 of 2

Council Delegate's Report

Cr Katharine Nikolic

LeadWest Joint Delegated Committee Delegation to Canberra

12 February 2025

Hillary Hastings

Report

LeadWest is the alliance of the Melbourne's five western region Councils of Brimbank, Hobsons

Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton and Wyndham.

As Deputy Chair of LeadWest I joined the LeadWest delegation to Parliament House Canberra

on 11 and 12 February 2025 to meet with Federal Government MPs from various political

parties. The group met with eight MPs including the Hon Catherine King Minister for

Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Assistant Minister for

Foreign Affairs the Hon Tim Watts, Senator Steph Hodgins-May from the Australian Greens,

Member for Fraser Dr Daniel Mulino and Member for Hawke Mr Sam Rae.

The delegation also met with senior advisers from the offices of the Opposition Leader Mr Peter

Dutton as well as the office of the Hon Kristy McBain, Minister for Regional Development, Local

Government and Territories.

The purpose of the visit was to boost the profile of the alliance and to advocate for

commitments ahead of the upcoming Federal Election.

The visit to Canberra provided a great opportunity to discuss unlocking investment to provide

Melbourne’s West with transport connectivity, greater economic development, employment

opportunities, urban renewal and improved wellbeing.

Attendees

Cr Dr Phillip Zada - Melton City Council, Chair of LeadWest

Cr Katharine Nikolic - Brimbank City Council, Deputy Chair of LeadWest

Cr Susan Yengi -LeadWest Cr Delegate Maribyrnong City Co9uncil

Fiona Blair CEO Brimbank City Council

Roslyn Wai CEO Melton City Council

Lucas Gosling Director, Maribyrnong City Council

Hillary Hastings, Executive Officer LeadWest

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

54 of 110

Attachment 12.2.2

Page 2 of 2

Key points raised

Melbourne’s West has been left behind for a long time, we are looking to redress this

imbalance

Investment that not only benefits the West, but also Victoria and Australia (such as

Airport Rail , WIFT and highway upgrades).

Changing voting patterns in the West

The need for infrastructure to support and match the rapid growth in the West

Key advocacy issues raised

Electrification of the Melton and Wyndham rail lines

The Western Highway to be upgraded to an urban standard, and for the construction of

interchanges to connect the highway to new residential and employment precincts

Action by State and Federal governments to fix the Calder Freeway, one of Australia’s

most dangerous and congested roads

A contribution towards the Western Aquatic and Early Years Centre in Hobsons Bay and

the Plumpton Aquatic and Wellness Centre in Melton

Ongoing funding to increase shade and provide more green spaces. Melbourne’s west

has the greatest urban heat island effect across metropolitan Melbourne

Investment to build an environmental wetlands centre in Altona (Greens Senator Steph

Hodgins-May was extremely interested in this project and a site visit has been planned)

The development of the ‘Sunshine Precinct’ and the construction of the Melbourne

Airport Rail was a key discussion item with Minister King

Transport and infrastructure projects were central to LeadWest’s advocacy efforts over the two

day delegation, including the construction of the Melbourne Airport Rail and the development of

the Sunshine Precinct.

It was pleasing to receive positive feedback from MPs that the delegation was well prepared

with both presentation and supporting documents

Recommendations

There were no matters to be considered by Council.

N/A

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

55 of 110

Attachment 12.2.2

Page 1 of 1

Council Delegate's Report

Cr Duyen Anh Pham

Western Melbourne Tourism (WMT) - Board Meeting and Strategic Planning

Workshop

28 February 2025

Jenny Mitten, Senior Economic Development Officer - Tourism

Report

The Western Melbourne Tourism (WMT) Board General Meeting included updates on:

•

Minutes of previous General Meeting and Actions Arising

•

Financial report

The Treasurer, Colin Drake, gave an update on the financial report.

•

Executive Report

Executive Officer, Richard Ponsford, gave an update on:



Experience Melbourne Plan 2028 - noted does not include Greater Melbourne



Brimbank City Council ‘Rail before Runway’ campaign - praising campaign and Federal Government

funding announcement



Victoria University Work Ready Program proposal - WMT has provided a letter of support.

The Strategic Planning Workshop focused on:

•

Introduction and review of current strategy

•

Issues, opportunities, and impact outcomes - this focused primarily on the current funding model of

WMT and whether this is sustainable in the long-term.

•

Next steps - Consultants, Cupla, will draft the next WMT Strategic Plan and present it to the WMT

Board for comment in March/April.

Recommendations

There were no matters to be considered by Council.

11 April 2025 at 10am, location TBD

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

56 of 110

Attachment 12.2.2

Councillor Expense Report 2024-2025

Quarter 1 Quarter 2

Cr Bruce Lancashire

$217.74 $106.36

Information and Communication Technology

$159.54 $106.36

Professional Development - Conferences, Seminars and Training (Incl. accommodation and meals)

$14.55 $0.00

Administrative Expenses

$43.65 $0.00

Cr Jae Papalia

$159.54 $106.36

Information and Communication Technology

$159.54 $106.36

Cr Jasmine Nguyen

$159.54 $159.54

Information and Communication Technology

$159.54 $159.54

Cr Sam David

$1,057.47 $53.18

Information and Communication Technology

$159.54 $53.18

Professional Development - Conferences, Seminars and Training (Incl. accommodation and meals)

$897.93 $0.00

Cr Sarah Branton

$159.54 $106.36

Information and Communication Technology

$159.54 $106.36

Cr Thomas O'Reilly

$477.53 $106.36

Information and Communication Technology

$159.54 $106.36

Professional Development - Conferences, Seminars and Training (Incl. accommodation and meals)

$37.71 $0.00

Travel (excluding Professional Development)

$280.28 $0.00

Cr Maria Kerr

$545.94 $440.00

Information and Communication Technology

$159.54 $176.36

Travel (excluding Professional Development)

$357.30 $0.00

Administrative Expenses

$29.10 $263.64

Child Care/Family Care

$0.00 $0.00

Cr Ranka Rasic

$1,726.57 $176.36

Information and Communication Technology

$159.54 $176.36

Professional Development - Conferences, Seminars and Training (Incl. accommodation and meals)

$1,142.21 $0.00

Travel (excluding Professional Development)

$424.82 $0.00

Cr Thuy Dang

$1,233.02 $1,211.81

Information and Communication Technology

$159.54 $176.36

Professional Development - Conferences, Seminars and Training (Incl. accommodation and meals)

$895.48 $970.00

Travel (excluding Professional Development)

$76.20 $0.00

Administrative Expenses

$101.80 $65.45

Events and Functions

$0.00 $0.00

Cr Victoria Borg

$448.05 $1,146.36

Information and Communication Technology

$159.54 $176.36

Professional Development - Conferences, Seminars and Training (Incl. accommodation and meals)

$0.00 $970.00

Travel (excluding Professional Development)

$163.51 $0.00

Events and Functions

$125.00 $0.00

Cr Virginia Tachos

$755.98 $336.84

Information and Communication Technology

$159.54 $176.36

Professional Development - Conferences, Seminars and Training (Incl. accommodation and meals)

$122.65 $0.00

Travel (excluding Professional Development)

$348.79 $160.48

Administrative Expenses

$0.00 $0.00

Events and Functions

$125.00 $0.00

Cr Joh Bauch

N/A

$70.00

Information and Communication Technology

N/A

$70.00

Events and Functions

N/A

$0.00

Cr Daniel Kruk

N/A

$792.13

Information and Communication Technology

N/A

$70.00

Travel (excluding Professional Development)

N/A

$0.00

Events and Functions

N/A

$0.00

Child Care/Family Care

N/A

$722.13

Cr Lucy Nguyen

N/A

$70.00

Information and Communication Technology

N/A

$70.00

Cr Katharine Nikolic

N/A

$70.00

Information and Communication Technology

N/A

$70.00

Events and Functions

N/A

$0.00

Cr Duyen Anh Pham

N/A

$70.00

Information and Communication Technology

N/A

$70.00

Events and Functions

N/A

$0.00

Cr Kim Thien Truong

N/A

$70.00

Information and Communication Technology

N/A

$70.00

Travel (excluding Professional Development)

N/A

$0.00

Events and Functions

N/A

$0.00

Councillor Term 2020-2024

Councillor Terms 2020-2024 and 2024-2028

Councillor Term 2024-2028

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

57 of 110

Attachment 12.2.3

Brimbank City Council

Submission - Towards an Economic

Development Strategy for the West

of Melbourne 2025 Consultation

Paper

1. Introduction

Brimbank City Council (Council) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback to the

West of Melbourne Economic Development Alliance (WoMEDA) on their draft document

entitled - Towards an Economic Development Strategy for the West of Melbourne 2025

(Consultation Paper).

The Consultation Paper is an opportunity to collaborate, develop and champion strategies

that foster, economic development and wellbeing, and advance employment precincts in

the west of Melbourne.

The City

of Brimbank (Brimbank) is located approximately 11 to 18 kilometres west and

north-west of the Melbourne Central Business District. Covering 123 square kilometres,

Brimbank is a culturally diverse community of 196,712 residents who speak over 90

different languages. Notably, 57.3% of residents speak another language other than

English at home (Brimbank Profile ID 2021).

2.Key feedback

This submission is broadly supportive of the direction, issues and opportunities identified

within the Consultation Paper and highlights a range of Council priorities and matters for

further consideration by WoMEDA. The key Council priorities with the Consultation Paper

are:



Elevate the importance for the State Government to urgently recommence works to

construct Airport Rail so it is completed before the third runway at Melbourne Airport.

This includes the Sunshine Super Hub and Albion Station redevelopments and

construction of a new rail station at Keilor East. The construction of Airport Rail is a

city shaping transport investment that will deliver significant economic benefits to

Brimbank and Melbourne’s west. Airport Rail is essential infrastructure required to

support an airport forecast to service 83 million passengers annually by 2046, which is

more than double the current activity levels.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

58 of 110

Attachment 12.2.4

Brimbank City Council – WOMEDA Submission (March 2025)

Page

2

of

9



Include Sunshine Energy Park as a key infrastructure investment in the Consultation

Paper in line with Council’s adopted vision for it to become a future premium parkland

for Melbourne’s west, which will include a state-significant stadium and sports fields, a

solar farm, an extensive urban forest and wetland system, and new play spaces.



Maintain the Sunshine Employment Precinct as a stand-alone precinct in accordance

with the polycentric city model. This submission supports four employment precincts

within Melbourne’s west including Sunshine, Footscray, Werribee and Melton, which is

considered necessary to service the growth and development of Melbourne’s west.



Emphasise the need for the State Government to develop a comprehensive integrated

transport strategy for Melbourne’s West that sets the vision for how the transport

network will facilitate movement and connectivity in Melbourne’s growing west. It

should also identify regional transport priorities, projects, and sequencing to confirm

and drive funding commitments to rail, bus, State road and other strategically

important investments, and inform municipal transport planning. The

requires the Victorian Department of Transport to prepare and

periodically revise a Victorian transport plan that defines the activities required to

achieve the transport system objectives outlined in the Act.

3.Feedback and Recommendations

This submission responds to the questions included in the Consultation Paper that are

most relevant to Brimbank, and on this basis there isn’t a response to all the questions in

the Paper.

In some cases, the feedback provided may apply to more than one section of the

Consultation Paper, however for the purposes of brevity, is only reflected once.

WoMEDA already undertake research however there is an

opportunity to produce strategic reports on specific investment

opportunities within each major employment precinct and seek to

distribute them to all levels of government and industry being

targeted. A key aspect of this work could involve direct

engagement with industry in Melbourne’s west, which in part

could be facilitated by events and communications run or

supported by WoMEDA or in partnership with government

including councils. Building relationships with the private sector in

the way that WoMEDA has built relationships with the public

sector could also be beneficial.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

59 of 110

Attachment 12.2.4

Brimbank City Council – WOMEDA Submission (March 2025)

Page

3

of

9

WoMEDA could take a sector and precinct-based approach to

promoting workforce capacity and pursue and or promote

investment

from enterprises in sectors in line with each major

employment precinct’s individual competitive advantage e.g.

medical researchers in the Sunshine Health and Wellness and

Education

Precinct.

Reduced commuting can also be achieved by hybrid working

arrangements which could be championed by WoMEDA. WoMEDA

could

focus efforts on enterprises in sectors that employ high

volumes of local skilled professionals to relocate to the priority

em

ployment precincts.

Ideally Melbourne’s west will increasingly provide more

opportunities

for skilled professionals in the region. While

Melbourne’s west offers attractive and diverse living options, this

may

not be fully understood and appreciated by those outside the

west. More could be done to promote Melbourne’s west as an

attractive

place for professional services, employment and living.

There is also a need to facilitate greater housing density and

development in

and around priority employment precincts and

achieve greater investment by State Government in public and

active transport that promotes access and connections in

Melbourne’s west. A regionally focused Integrated Transport

Strategy would facilitate this outcome and continued advocacy by

WoMEDA to the State Government to develop such a strategy is

importa

nt, as well as State Government’s commitment to its

implementation.

infrastructure and place-making investments within local

em

ployment precincts provide a high level of amenity and safety

and maximise attractiveness for recruitment and retention of new

businesses and skilled workers.

Council has invested in a comprehensive Place Management

Program in Sunshine and St Albans to create vibrant and

attr

active places through a managed approach to governance,

marketing and communications, public realm, safety and amenity,

investment attraction and development, and community service.

This involves employment of place managers to coordinate

deli

very of a range of initiatives including activation through

festivals, events, celebrations and entertainment, public art and

other

installations including street banners, as well as a focus on

proactive cleanliness, safety and maintenance. Importantly,

Council supports local businesses to coordinate and promote

these destinations through a Marketing and Business

Development Special Rate. Council also invests significantly into

the enhancing the public realm, however this is becoming more

cha

llenging as the costs of delivery increase and there is limited

state and federal support. WoMEDA can play

an important

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

60 of 110

Attachment 12.2.4

Brimbank City Council – WOMEDA Submission (March 2025)

Page

4

of

9

advocacy role, particularly emphasising the need for State and

Federal Government to focus their investment into the four major

employment hubs, including the delivery of Melbourne Airport

Rail, the Sunshine

Super Hub and Sunshine Energy Park which

would also have a catalytic impact.

The inclusion of Melton as a fourth Priority Employment Precinct is

supported and is aligned

with the polycentric city model. The

growth and development of the four employment precincts of

Sunshine, Werribee, Footscray, and Melton are required to

support the growth and development of Melbourne’s west and

should

be the focus for future government investment.

Key infrastructure investment in priority employment precincts is

integral to

the polycentric city model in Melbourne’s west.

The State

Government plans to construct Melbourne Airport Rail,

the Sunshine

SuperHub, Albion Station and a new station at

Keilor East are prime examples of key infrastructure priorities that

will support the growth and development of Melbourne’s west,

and be a catalyst

for the growth and development of Brimbank

and bolster investor confidence. Given these projects have been

delayed, WoMEDA could play a stronger role in amplifying the

strategic importance of these investments

and the importance of

escalating their commencement. In addition to

supporting

Council’s advocacy to bring forward construction of these

projects, WoMEDA could also focus research on the opportunity to

leverage and capitalise on these investments, when they are

operational.

The Outer Metropolitan Ring Road project is an important part of

the future transport

network for Melbourne’s west. Continued

advocacy for the development of an integrated transport

strategy

for Melbourne’s west is key way the State Government can

identify strategic priority projects, like the OMR and their

sequencing. WoMEDA’s continued advocacy for a strategic

approach to transport, including sequencing, remains a key focus.

The electrification of Wyndham Vale and Melton lines remain

significant priorities for Melbourne’s west to address current and

future capacity and congestion issues on the existing V/line

services.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

61 of 110

Attachment 12.2.4

Brimbank City Council – WOMEDA Submission (March 2025)

Page

5

of

9

All western sections of the Suburban Rail Loop are important;

however the Consultation

Paper could elevate and emphasise the

importance of the State Government to bring forward the

construction of the Melbourne

Airport Rail and Sunshine Super

Hub projects in the sequencing of the western and northern

sections of the Suburban Rail Loop projects.

The WIFT

at Truganina is another potentially transformative

investment

and employment opportunity particularly for the

Warehouse, Logistics and Transport sectors. Given the extension

of operations at the Dynon Road site and the commencement of

detailed

planning for the Beverage Intermodal Freight Terminal,

the next stage for the WIFT could be for the State Government to

provide certainty to

landowners by expediating the development

of the WIFT Precinct Structure Plan.

Council has previously raised

concerns about the need to ensure there is appropriate mitigation

of future impacts of this infrastructure and particularly rail

connections on existing communities, including noise, vibration,

and visual amenity.

The Sunshine

Energy Park is envisioned to become a new multi

use major destination capable of driving investment and adjoins

both the proposed Sunshine

CBD and Albion Station

Redevelopments. The scale and investment potential of the

Sunshine Energy Park warrants inclusion in the Consultation

Paper and any subsequent

strategy as a key infrastructure

investment priority. The Federal Government’s recent $500,000

funding announcement towards developing the business case to

create the park is an important step to be noted in the

Consultation

Paper.

Local government has few levers outside the planning scheme to

meaningfully

unlock supply, particularly in the short term. While

Council continues to

facilitate development through its planning

scheme, which is the primary lever at its disposal to encourage new

development - it is important to

note that while permits are issued

regularly, not all permits proceed to

construction. For example,

over the

past five years within the Sunshine Metropolitan Activity

Centre (MeAC), active permits had the potential to deliver 972 new

apartments, however over this same period, approximately 564

apartments did not progress due to lapsing planning permits -

which demonstrates the important role the market plays in the

delivery of housing.

There are several issues that impact the market’s ability to deliver

housing, including the cost of construction, high interest rates,

rising wages and labour shortages, and financial incentives etc, and

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

62 of 110

Attachment 12.2.4

Brimbank City Council – WOMEDA Submission (March 2025)

Page

6

of

9

have a more immediate influence on housing supply. For example,

Infrastructure Victoria’s

report advocated for the

removal of disincentives to buying in established areas. These

disincentives included inefficient stamp duties, taxes and subsidies

which favour development in growth areas over infill locations.

While Council welcomes both the National Housing Accord and the

Victorian Housing Statements as first steps, further exploration of

these financial and

other levers that impact the market are

required to encourage a more immediate response to supply.

The property market dynamics of Melbourne’s west means that the

delivery of the Melbourne

Airport Rail and other city shaping rail

infrastructure projects flagged for Brimbank and the region is

critical to

building market confidence.

There is a significant opportunity for State and Local Governments

to leverage public and private investment to create uplift through

a range of opportunities. A commitment to a continued strong

partnership and collaborative approach between Local and State

Governments, that is underpinned by an agreed vision, will be key

to realising mutual aspirations.

Unfortunately,

the lack of certainty in the delivery of flagged

infrastructure projects is undermining Sunshine’s role as a MeAC,

and its broader role as part of the National Employment and

Innovation

Cluster. Significant capacity exists within the Sunshine

Precinct to accommodate future homes. Continued uncertainty

creates a lack of confidence for investors looking at Sunshine and

Brimbank as a place to

invest, conduct business and work

Social housing is essential social infrastructure pivotal to

economic independence as access to housing improves

participation in employment, education and local social networks

while reducing

demand for health and other services. Inequities in

Brimbank and Melbourne’s west (e.g. limited public transport,

overstretched infrastructure, poor access to

services and

amenities and high socio-economic disadvantage in some areas)

requires housing policy and social infrastructure development to

be tailored to the specific characteristics and needs of the western

region.

The State

Government’s Big Housing Build initiative will help

address local need; however, it is insufficient in addressing the

growing rates of homelessness and more direct public investment

into social infrastructure is needed.

Councils also need to

be better supported to negotiate social and

affordable housing outcomes through stronger provisions in the

State

section of the planning scheme. WoMEDA could support

advocacy through a closer examination of the property

development market and consider the different type of levers and

contributions

appropriate for different types or scale of

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

63 of 110

Attachment 12.2.4

Brimbank City Council – WOMEDA Submission (March 2025)

Page

7

of

9

development. While it is important that the private sector plays a

role in the supply of social and affordable housing, it will be

important that the right balance is struck so that it doesn’t have

unintended consequences and negative impacts on development

and the supply of new housing.

The Consultation Paper identifies the creation of a Regional

Housing Authority.

In Council’s Submission to Plan for Victoria

(2024), it identified that an independent authority, such as the

Auditor General, or Infrastructure Victoria could be tasked with

setting housing policy and strategy

and establishing and review

housing targets. While a regional Housing Authority can play a

key role in coordinating a regional approach to housing – councils

are a fundamental partner and it is crucial that any move toward

establishing an authority

gives regard to and does not diminish

the role and planning powers of councils. Thorough examination

of the merits and suitability of a Regional Housing Authority

proposal would be required,

which ideally would be developed in

close

consultation with councils.

Improved amenities in Melbourne’s west can increase vibrancy of

destinations and enhance their reputation, profile and desirability.

In addition to

the specific attractions proposed in the Consultation

Paper, enduring vibrant experiences can arise from nurturing an

authentic sense of place and making them easily accessible. For

instance, mass transit initiatives, such as the Suburban Rail Loop

and Melbourne Airport Rail, can harness new flows and types of

visitors to Western Melbourne and increase the vibrancy,

desirability and viability of proposed new amenities such as

Sunshine Energy Park.

To optimise this interdependency and visitation to Melbourne’s

west from new transit investment, WoMEDA could support further

research to better understand the visitor economy and the role

and opportunities

of developments like Melbourne Airport Rail and

the Sunshine

Super Hub.

The provision of amenities requires extensive

resources. Councils

operate in a constrained fiscal

environment where rates are

capped and funding for amenities is limited. The development

contributions system could provide opportunity to increase

revenue for community infrastructure, however, requires a

significant review to improve is operation and reduce the risk to

councils. WoMEDA could champion reform of the development

contribution system which has long been touted by the State

Government. For the growth areas, WoMEDA could also advocate

for the clear commitments for staged delivery of state amenities

such as education and transport within development plans where

the State Government has already collected Growth Area

Infrastructure Contributions. Importantly, any reform of the

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

64 of 110

Attachment 12.2.4

Brimbank City Council – WOMEDA Submission (March 2025)

Page

8

of

9

development contributions systems should be informed by robust

property analysis to determine the impact on development and

housing affordability.

Yes. Improved access to integrated early childhood services

provides the children in Melbourne’s West essential

developmental support and ensures a parent’s choice to work is

not impeded.

A new major tourism

development within Werribee’s tourism

precinct has the capacity to increase visitation and enhance and

complement its current tourism offering for family-orientated

entertainment. Largescale investments in build attractions such

as proposed those proposed for Werribee and Sunshine have flow

on effects to

Melbourne’s west. They contribute to a positive

brand for Melbourne’s west and create flow on economic benefits

for the region including the development of new accommodation

offerings, and the economic spend associated with increased

visitation .

A new major cultural development within Sunshine CBD,

preferably including a ‘multicultural’ theme will further propel

Sunshine’s developing reputation as cultural destination and

complement

the recently announced Vietnamese Museum

Australia.

Visit Victoria’s focus on Melbourne CBD and Regional Victorian

destinations locks western Melbourne out of most opportunities

for tourism funding, marketing support and investment. On this

basis greater support from WoMEDA for Western Melbourne

Tourism Board’s advocacy for an increased focus by Visit Victoria

on middle and outer Melbourne

will enable more equitable

distribution of tourism funding and marketing to western

Melbourne destinations.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

65 of 110

Attachment 12.2.4

Brimbank City Council – WOMEDA Submission (March 2025)

Page

9

of

9

Efforts to

participate in a more circular and greener economy are

being undertaken by government and industry across Melbourne’s

west. The Consultation

Paper can acknowledge the collaborative

work being

undertaken by the participation of councils in the

Western Alliance for Greenhouse Action (WAGA), which is hosted

by Council. WoMEDA can also report on urban greening efforts to

improve local air quality and reduce heat islands in western

Melbourne. It could undertake research into the green industry

sector and partners with organisations like WAGA to advocate for

greater investment and investment attraction.

The Sunshine

Health, Wellness and Education Precinct is an

established and growing centre for medical, health, community,

education and research services. With

demand growing, there is

a critical need to

attract further investment and a skilled

workforce in public and allied health. With the new expanded

Footscray Hospital fully

operational in 2025 and tenders awarded

to

construct the Melton Hospital, recruiting, training and housing

sufficient worker for the health sector is critical.

The Consultation Paper’s focus towards a community focussed

health system, known for innovative research into the fields of

chronic disease, women’s

and Indigenous Health aligns with key

community needs.

The western region’s health issues are

characterised by high levels of avoidable chronic conditions and

associated higher rates of premature mortality combined with low

participation rates in cancer screening programs. Therefore, in

addition to

critical public hospital investment, prevention and

early intervention activities are

key to improving health

outcomes.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

66 of 110

Attachment 12.2.4

Minutes

Audit and Risk Committee (ARC) Meeting No. 142

27 February 2025

10:30AM-1:00PM

BCCC Council Chambers

Geoff Harry

Cr Kruk; Cr Dang; Jen Johanson; Mick Jaensch.

Chief Executive Officer, Fiona Blair;

Director People, Partnership and Performance, Georgie Hill;

Director City Future, Kelvin Walsh;

Director Infrastructure and City Services, Chris Leivers;

Acting Director Community Wellbeing, Erin Clark;

Director Corporate Services, Mark Stoermer;

Manager Governance and Risk, Danny Bilaver;

Coordinator Risk & Compliance Steph Attenborough;

Risk & Assurance Officer, Ryan Goldberg.

Chief Information Officer, Sendur Kathir;

Organisational Compliance Officer, Dan George;

Rachel Urankar, Risk, Insurance and Business Continuity Advisor.

Coordinator Financial Accounting, Zeeshan Qureshi

Refer to item 2

Andrew Zavitsanos – Partner, Crowe.

Nick Walker - HLB Mann Judd

Penelope Holloway, Municipal Monitor

Janet Dore, Municipal Monitor

Coordinator Legal Governance and Integrity, Danielle Pepyat;

Director Community Wellbeing, Lynley Dumble;

Manager Finance, Andrew Brae;

Tania Yeung – HLB Mann Judd.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

67 of 110

Attachment 12.2.5

Acknowledgement of Country:

1.

Attendance and welcome new

appointed ARC members

The Chair gave the acknowledgement of country and welcomed all attendees

and noted apologies.

The Chair addressed the following out of session matters:

•

Final management letter received by ARC members.

•

Emergency orders query from November meeting addressed.

•

Internal Audit scope considered for Privacy Act Management audit.

•

Received update on attack on Council systems.

•

Response on carry forward matter provided.

•

Council member recruitment is underway for new independent

member.

NFA

2.

Conflicts of Interest

The Chair invited members to declare any matters of interest in any items

in the agenda and any actual or perceived conflicts of interest arising from

changes in private interests since the previous meeting.

•

Member Johanson joined the board of Bank First.

•

The Chair completed term as Chair of Department Premier and

Cabinet Audit and RIsk Committee on the 31

st

of December 2024.

•

No conflicts of interest were raised in relation to items listed on the

Agenda.

NFA

3.

ARC Annual Work Plan

The Chair asked if there were any key matters of note.

Danny Bilaver highlighted deferred items in risk management due to the

consultancy as well as items moved from the September meeting to assist in

balancing agendas.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

68 of 110

Attachment 12.2.5

Member Jaensch asked that Council review 10-year financial plan in May or

September 2025 meeting. Mark Stoermer advised it is being updated in line

with budget updates and will confirm with ARC.

4.

Confirmed Minutes of Meeting No.

141.

Minutes of Audit and Risk Committee Meeting No. 141 held 22 November

2024 were endorsed by the Committee.

NFA

5.

Minutes Actions Status Report

NFA

6.

CEO update

Fiona Blair presented the report and highlighted:

•

Councillor Induction and positive involvement with an 89% attendance

rate.

•

Changes in Councillor Legislation from LGV including governance rules

and public transparency policy.

•

Council is holding on decision to recommend applying for a rate cap

exemption due to information from LG minister advising that a

different approach may be considered.

•

Enterprise agreement negotiations.

•

private matter to be addressed at end of meeting.

The Chair

queried what activities are taking place to increase

awareness across

Council

’s employees

in relation to cyber security

. Mr Stoermer advised that

ongoing testing and phishing exercises are being completed.

Membe

r Johanson asked that Council consider a program of work that regularly

test all staff including all types of phishing. Mr Stoermer addressed this

concern.

The

Chair and

C

r Kruk

queried a cyber security matter to which

Mr

Stoermer

NFA

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

69 of 110

Attachment 12.2.5

Stoermer provided response.

7.

Risk Management

7.1 Risk Management Update

Steph Attenborough presented the report and highlighted:

•

Work completed during the risk management consultancy and

outcomes around strategic risks and risk appetite statement which

will help shape Council’s risk management framework.

•

Level of engagement from SRIAG and planning to have meetings

more focused around managing risks moving forward.

Th

e Chair queried treatment actions. Ms. Attenborough discussed roadmap

and treatment actions as an outcome of this.

Member Johanson noted she is pleased with the progress made and queried

Councillor involvement. Danny Bilaver advised that Councillor’s will be

involved in a workshop to get input on strategic risks.

Mem

ber Jaensch asked that Council seek the Committee’s input on strategic

risks to ensure it is being utilised to achieve maximum value out of

committee.

The Chair commended the SRIAG forum as a method to embed a risk culture

across the organisation.

The Chair also asked that Council consider how to best report risk to ARC

and other forums. Ms. Attenborough advised that this is being considered.

NFA

7.2 Significant and Other

Insurance Matters

Rachel Urankar presented the report and highlighted:

•

Current over excess claims,

•

Under excess public liability claims and analysis,

•

Motor vehicle claims and analysis,

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

70 of 110

Attachment 12.2.5

•

Insurance renewal, and

•

Sunshine Energy Park claim which was advised to be closed but has

been reopened by insurers.

The Chair commended the report and Council’s approach to managing

claims.

7.3 ICT and Cyber Security

Update

Sendur Kathir presented the report which highlighted IT environment

summary including:

•

Finance system replacement via Civica authority. This will be brought

t

o the attention of Council as a major expenditure of the project. If

decision making timeline remains on track, solution should be

implemented by February 2026. The Chair commented on authority

and upside with linking other systems within Council.

•

Cyber

security maturity assessment.

Continuous improvement being

i

mplemented and

which will be report to the Committee

.

•

All interleave data transferred internally to Brimbank ICT at end

December 2024.

Member Jaensch commended report and questioned timelines around

implementation of the new financial syst

em and end of financial year

reporting. Mr Kathir advised CI

O has been in constant communications with

finance team to discuss timeframes for upgrade. Mr Stoermer advised there

is

confidence due to the tight controls in the project control group for

finalising this project on time.

Member Johanson commented on maturity level

s

for Council as outlined in

th

e essential 8 controls and asked that the committee continues to receive

updates on how Council is managing the risks.

The Chair queried the two incidents since last meeting and commented on

p

ositive response to incidents despite high risks.

NFA

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

71 of 110

Attachment 12.2.5

7.4 Child Safety and Wellbeing

Review and Improvement Project

Update

Erin Clark presented the report and highlighted:

•

Audit completed around child safety that led to the

recommendations. These recommendations have been categorised,

and a roadmap has been implemented to address them.

•

Additional resources committed with temporary role and governance

structures in place to effectively address these.

•

Ask

ed that ARC advise how they would like to see this report moving

forward.

Th

e Chair asked about Council confidence in child related incident reporting.

Ms Clark commented on current structure and good level of confidence

despite minor system issues. Cr Kruk asked about system issues. Ms Clark

advised limited ability to have multiple incident types means manual

processing is required for some incidents. Mark Stoermer advised the

incident reporting system is set to be upgraded.

Mem

ber Jaensch advised that ARC would be comfortable with annual updates

to track recommendations. All members agreed. The Chair asked that it be

kept high level and strategic with focus on broader control.

Consider appropriate place within

work plan for annual child safety

and wellbeing review and

improvement project update.

7.5 Fraud and Corruption Control

Self-Assessment Report

Dan George presented the report and outlined:

•

Focus of self-assessment report on perceived risk.

•

Next steps proposed based on findings.

Member Jaensch commended the report and noted that the current gaps

present were a high concern.

Member Johanson queried one of the next steps around business continuity

in relation to cyber attacks. Mr George provided more context. Member

NFA

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

72 of 110

Attachment 12.2.5

Johanson asked that this be prioritised due to previous cyber incidents and

current low maturity.

The Chair commented on Council’s approach to fraud awareness and

willingness to address at the managerial level and encourage Council to

continue this approach.

Cr Kruk commented on cyber security as a major topic in the news and

commended Council officers for their approach against this in terms of fraud.

8.

External Audit

8.1 External Audit Plan

Nick Walker presented the report and outlined key issues:

•

Audit strategy consistent with previous years.

•

Discussions with VAGO for matters to be finalised.

•

New Council impacts on governance in report.

•

Timeframe discussed with management

The Chair commented that financial close out for year end at Brimbank is

usually done efficiently and asked for comments regarding the approach to

fair value assessments of non current assets.

Zeeshan Qureshi highlighted:

•

Plans for the valuation cycle

•

Council waiting for guidance from Finpro which is imminent

•

Work done by Council in regard to Asset condition assessments

The Chair asked that ARC be provided with a report on the outcomes of the

fair value assessment exercise and for this to be presented at the May

Meeting. Mr Qureshi advised there should not be any issues, if any occur,

they can be presented in May. Mr Walker advised he can present at next

meeting if required.

NFA

9.

Internal Control

9.1 Quarterly Financial Report

Presented by Mark Stoermer:

NFA

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

73 of 110

Attachment 12.2.5

•

Advised 10-year plan will be ready for consideration at the May

Meeting.

•

Council budgeted a $1.77 million surplus, are currently tracking at a

$18 million surplus

•

$10 million of the surplus relates to a legal issue.

•

Surplus is also due to supplementary valuations and unexpected

grants received.

•

Redundancy costs related to aged care.

Member Jaensch queried $9.5 million open space contribution relating to the

Orica site redevelopment. Mr Stoermer advised that this is the figure Council

is expecting to receive once valuation is finalised but is not confirmed due to

ongoing litigation.

The Chair commended Capex program and controls and highlighted that very

few Council’s reach Brimbank’s percentage.

9.2 Asset Revaluations Report

NFA

10.

Internal Audit

10.1 Internal Audit Program

Progress Report

NFA

10.2 Curious Eyes Report (April

June 2024)

NFA

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

74 of 110

Attachment 12.2.5

10.3 Accounts Payable Audit Final

Report

Andrew Zavitsanos presented the final audit report and presented findings:

•

Key themes included governance framework, opportunities for

control improvements, invoices

•

Highlighted recommendation 3 and minor changes that lead to

agreement. Final report will be circulated to ARC members.

•

Advised that the outcome is positive for Council

The Chair asked for Mark Stoermer’s comments. He advised that he is

pleased with the outcome of report as there has been a key focus on this

internally.

Member Johanson queried data analytics and investigation into those. Mr

Stoermer advised these will be reported on once finalised.

Member Jaensch commented on other ARC meetings where Council looked at

data analytics. Mr Stoermer advised that there are short term internal issues

that Council can consider investigating.

NFA

10.4 Internal Audit

Recommendations Status Report

Danny Bilaver presented the report:

•

Change in language to report on actions

•

Off-track actions

Member Johanson encouraged new language and asked that Council pull

insights from this and provide updates on off track actions in briefing note

overview.

NFA

11

Legislative Governance

11.1 Significant Legal Matters and

Legislative Governance Report.

Danny Bilaver presented the report and outlined:

•

Legislative compliance of matters are all tracking as per usual.

•

Gender equality progress report

Progress update on policy

transformation project to be

provided at the May 2025 ARC

Meeting.

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

75 of 110

Attachment 12.2.5

Georgie Hill provided commentary on not agreeing with feedback from

assessment and that Council feel they have progressed against the indicators.

Council considered resubmitting but was unable to.

•

Assessors gave credit that Council is further ahead than they were

given credit for

•

Consultation participated in and well prepared for next reporting

period.

Member Jaensch commended the gender equality progress report.

The Chair questioned sentence under projects transformation policy and

asked that this be updated to reflect Council’s value from report.

Manager Governance and Risk,

Danny Bilaver – May 2025.

12. 12.1 ARC Biannual Activity Report

Update (DRAFT)

13. Other Business

Fiona Blair congratulated Geoff Harry for his time served as Chair of the

Audit and Risk Committee and commented on his positive influence on

Council.

The Chair commended positive progress made by Council during his term

and thanked members, Councillors and officers.

NFA

Meeting Closed at 12:00PM

: 22 May 2025, 10:30AM-01:00PM. BCCC Level 6 Events Space

Brimbank Council Meeting No. 643 - 18 March 2025

76 of 110

Attachment 12.2.5