Delegated and Advisory Committees

Our committees play an important role in governance and engaging the community in Council decision-making.

Tell me about

Good governance

Delegated Committees at The City of Port Phillip

Council has the following Special Committees established under Section 86 of the Local Government Act 2020.

Council may by Instrument of Delegation, delegate any of its functions, duties or powers under the Local Government Act 2020 or any other Act.

Planning Committee

Formal decision making body on all matters related to city planning.

Instrument of Delegation and Terms of Reference (PDF 1 MB)

Advisory Committees at The City of Port Phillip

As part of its commitment to good governance, quality decision-making and community participation, the City of Port Phillip has a range of committees with community and external representation.

Each advisory committee has terms of reference which are provided below as downloadable documents.

At the 18 June 2025 Council meeting, Councillors resolved to pause recruitment of the below committees pending the findings of the advisory committee review. Officers are currently undertaking a review of Council's committees to ensure they are aligned to Council's priorities as identified in the Plan for Port Phillip 2025 - 2025.

LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee
Multicultural Advisory Committee
Older Persons Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Audit and Risk Committee is to provide oversight to Council on the effectiveness of the organisation's systems, processes and culture for managing risk (the things that might go wrong) and complying with its legal and financial obligations.
- Audit and Risk Committee Charter July 2024 (PDF 475KB)
- Audit and Risk Committee Charter July 2024 (DOCX 305KB)
Councillor Committee Representatives: Cr Louise Crawford (Mayor), Cr Bryan Mears.
The purpose of the Art Acquisition Reference Committee is to assist Council by providing advice and expertise in relation to Council’s visual art acquisition program.
View the:
- Art Acquisition Reference Committee Terms of Reference (DOCX 36 KB) (updated March 2017)
- Art Acquisition Reference Committee Terms of Reference Accessible Version (DOCX 24 KB) (updated March 2017)
- Art Acquisition Reference Committee Instrument of Delegation (PDF 685 KB).
Councillor Committee Representative: Cr Serge Thomann
The Business Advisory Group aims to define a future vision for the City's economy. This will increase economic activity and help to create jobs.
The group was established in September 2020.
- Business Advisory Group terms of reference (PDF 316 KB)
- Business Advisory Group terms of reference (PDF 272 KB)
Councillor Committee Representatives: Cr Beti Jay, Cr Serge Thomann
The Cultural Heritage Reference Committee (CHRC) assists Council by providing advice and feedback in relation to cultural heritage and local history. View the:
- Cultural Heritage Reference Committee Terms of Reference (DOCX 92 KB) (updated September 2019)
- Cultural Heritage Reference Committee Instrument of Delegation (PDF 1 MB).
Councillor Committee Representative: Cr Libby Buckingham
To provide advice on the strategic direction of the Esplanade Market including the:
- Esplanade Market Strategic Plan
- implementation of the Strategic Plan directions
- development of marketing and advertising strategy
- communication mechanisms with stallholders, community and other stakeholders
- business and operational planning.
View the:
- Esplanade Market Reference Committee Terms of Reference (PDF 287 KB)
- Esplanade Market Reference Committee Terms of Reference (DOCX 271 KB)
Councillor Committee Representatives: Cr Bryan Mears, Cr Beti Jay
The Friends of Suai Community Reference Committee promotes the Friends of Suai Covalima (East Timor) program across the Port Phillip community, and promotes and assists with ongoing relationships between the Port Phillip and Suai communities.
The Committee comprises local community members with a variety of backgrounds and interests, a Council representative and key City of Port Phillip staff.
For more information, view the Friends of Suai pages.
- Friends of Suai Covalima Community Reference Committee Terms of Reference (PDF 282 KB)
- Friends of Suai Covalima Community Reference Committee Terms of Reference (DOCX 282 KB)
Councillor Committee Representative: Cr Serge Thomann
The purpose of the LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee is to provide advice and feedback to Council on matters that affect LGBTIQA+ residents, businesses, and community members who live, work and visit the City.
View the:
Councillor Committee Representative: not currently meeting.
The purpose of the Multicultural Advisory Committee (MAC) is to assist Council by providing advice and feedback on all issues and opportunities that affect all multicultural communities in the City of Port Phillip.
View the
- Multicultural Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (PDF 314 KB).
- Multicultural Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (DOCX 274KB).
Councillor Committee Representative: not currently meeting.
The Older Persons Advisory Committee (OPAC) advises on issues affecting the health and wellbeing of older residents in Port Phillip.
It is a representative group of Port Phillip residents aged 55 and over, some with a disability, who are passionate about the role of older people in the community, and keen to share skills and experience for the common good of older people.
View the:
- Older Persons Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (PDF 305 KB)
- Older Persons Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (DOCX 275 KB)
Councillor Committee Representative: not currently meeting.
The South Melbourne Market (SMM) Committee has the responsibility of overseeing the Market on behalf of Council.
The SMM Committee provides advice to management team on strategy, licensing, operations and marketing.
- Committee Charter - 2023 (PDF 195 KB)
- Instrument of Delegation - 19 July 2023 (PDF 468 KB)
Visit the South Melbourne Market website.
Councillor Committee Representatives: Cr Alex Makin, Cr Beti Jay
The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) acts as an advisory committee to Council on issues that are important to young people in the City of Port Phillip community. The YAC play an important role in advising Council on what matters to young people.
View the:
- Youth Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (DOCX 271 KB)
- Youth Advisory Committee Terms of Reference (PDF 296 KB)
Councillor Committee Representative: Cr Rod Hardy
The Rupert Bunny Foundation Visual Arts Fellowship Reference Committee provides strategic advice and expertise to Council, and recommendations to the Rupert Bunny Foundation Committee, on the dispersal of Rupert Bunny Funds according to the VCF-RBF Deed of Trust.
View the:
- Rupert Bunny Foundation Visual Art Fellowship Reference Committee Terms of Reference (DOCX 36 KB) (updated March 2017)
- Rupert Bunny Foundation Visual Arts Fellowship Reference Committee Terms of Reference Accessible Version (DOCX 24 KB) (updated March 2017).
Councillor Committee Representative: Cr Heather Cunsolo

Delegated and Advisory Committees

Delegated Committees at The City of Port Phillip

Planning Committee

Advisory Committees at The City of Port Phillip

Audit and Risk Committee

CEO Employment Matters Committee

Art Acquisition Reference Committee

Business Advisory Group

Cultural Heritage Reference Committee

Esplanade Market Reference Committee

Friends of Suai Covalima Community Reference Committee

LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee

Multicultural Advisory Committee

Older Persons Advisory Committee

South Melbourne Market Advisory Committee

Youth Advisory Committee

Rupert Bunny Foundation Visual Arts Fellowship Reference Committee

Related Content