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- Council meeting catchup - 17 September 2025
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Council meeting catchup - 17 September 2025
The 17 September 2025 Council Meeting was held at St Kilda Town Hall.
Items Actioned
- Draft Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy and draft "Feel Safe. Be Safe. Community Safety Plan 2025-29" endorsed to be released for community consultation.
Council meeting agenda
The City of Port Phillip acknowledges the passing of Anne Scambary, Digital Programming & Engagement Officer, in early September following a sudden illness.
Anne made a profound contribution over their 28 years of service, passionately championing arts, culture, and local heritage. Their legacy will be deeply felt across the organisation and community.
Moved Crs Thomann/Halliday
That Council:
• Expresses its deep regret on the passing of Anne Scambary.
• Offers its sincere condolences to their family
• Places on record its appreciation for their service to the City of Port Phillip.A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
A Petition containing 11 signatures, was received from residents of Bridport Street.
Moved Crs Hardy/Crawford
That Council:
1. Receives and notes the petition.
2. Thanks the petitioners for their petition.
3. As this petition pertains to an operational matter, in accordance with Council’s Governance Rules, Council refers the petition to the CEO for a response.
4. Notes that officers will take into account the position outlined in the petition for the review of the Waste Management Plan in question and respond in writing noting the outcome of the review.A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
A Petition containing 15 signatures, was received from residents in Thistlethwaite Street, South Melbourne.
Moved Crs Makin/Thomann
That Council:
1. Receives and notes the Petition.
2.Thanks, the petitioners for their petition.
3. Does not initiate a standalone review of the Parking Management Policy at this time, noting a comprehensive review of the Parking Management Policy is scheduled to commence within the next 12 to 24 months.
4. Requests that officers advise the lead petitioner of the planned area-wide parking and kerbside management approach for Fishermans Bend and keep them informed of planned community engagement.
5. Requests that officers advise the lead petitioner of Council’s process for requesting changes to parking restrictions, including the need for demonstrated support from multiple properties and a clearly documented suggested parking restriction(s).A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
The Mayor noted that item 13.2 Proposed Discontinuance and Sale - Part Union Place (Adjoining 154-158 Bank Street) South Melbourne had been deferred to the 24 September 2025 Council meeting due to an administrative error in the publishing of the agenda.
In light of public interest relating to agenda item 10.1 ‘Draft "Feel Safe. Be Safe. Community Safety Plan 2025-29’ in accordance with Chapter 2 Provision 21 of Council’s Governance Rules, the Mayor made a change to the order of business.
PURPOSE
1.1 To present the draft Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy (the Strategy) to Council and seek approval to proceed with the next stage of engagement, including public exhibition of the draft Strategy for community feedback.
Moved Crs Buckingham/Halliday
That Council:
3.1 Thanks all community members and service providers that have contributed to community engagement to inform the draft Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy, particularly those with lived experience of homelessness, accessing social (public and community) or affordable housing, housing or rental stress or living on a very low or low income.
3.2 Endorses the draft Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy (Attachment1) to enable the next phase of community engagement, and authorises the Chief Executive Officer (or delegate) to make minor editorial amendments that do not materially alter the intent of the draft Strategy.
3.3 Endorses the allocation of:
3.3.1 An additional $100K in 2025/26 and $250K in 2026/27 to St Kilda Community Housing to support a proactive solution to provide housing and tailored support services building on the Madden House Common Ground model, on the condition that additional funding from the State, Federal Government or other source is received to implement such a program effectively.
3.3.2 $15k in 2025/26 and 2026/27 to BridgeIt to support operational costs associated with providing young women and gender diverse people who have experienced the out-of-home-care system or homelessness with a home and community in Port Phillip.
3.4 Notes that during community consultation on the draft Strategy, additional information will be requested on specific projects suggested by Ngwala, Sacred Heart, Southside Justice and South Port Community Housing as well as consideration of other ideas that come through the community consultation process.
3.5 Notes that during community consultation on the draft Strategy, officers will work with service providers on what budget may be required to further consideration of accessible, safe daytime social spaces (hubs) with appropriate and relevant facilities for rough sleepers and vulnerable community members.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
1.1 To outline the work completed to date in the development of the Community Safety Plan and to present the draft Plan for endorsement for the next phase of engagement including public exhibition to seek community feedback.
The Mayor advised there was an officer correction to item 5.19 and 12.21 of the draft Community Safety Plan that states in the second dot point “the targeted engagement will be up to 3 community members with lived experience of homelessness and rough sleeping”. This will be amended to “the targeted engagement will be a minimum of 3 community members with lived experience of homelessness and rough sleeping”.
The following question was taken on notice during discussion of the item:
Councillor Cunsolo: What is Council’s approach to rough sleepers on bike paths, specifically around Beaconsfield Street and Fitzroy Street?Nellie Montague, Manager of Safety and Amenity advised that with any public areas in Port Phillip there is a local law that outlines that camping is not allowed on public land, with the exemption of people experiencing homelessness or have complex needs that Council will not enforce the local law through enforcement processes. Instead they will be connected with services to assist them.
Councillor Cunsolo followed up asking whether the obstruction on bike paths is exempted under the Local Law for people experiencing homelessness?
Nellie Montague, Manager of Safety and Amenity advised took the question on notice.
Moved Crs Crawford/Makin
That Council:
3.1 Notes the work done to date on the draft Community Safety Plan.
3.2 Endorses the release of the draft Community Safety Plan for the next phase of community engagement which includes the public exhibition of the draft Plan (Attachment 1).
3.3 Notes the Community Safety Engagement Report (Attachment 2) outlining feedback received during community engagement which took place between 22 May to 29 June 2025.
3.4 Endorses all Community Safety Roundtable Recommendations (Attachment 3) noting that these actions have also been included within the draft Community Safety Plan and draft Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy.
3.5 Notes that the Police Protocol and proposed Local Law amendment are progressing and Council is currently waiting on legal advice from Victoria Police.
AMENDMENT
Moved Councillor Mears/BuckinghamThat Council:
Amends part 3.2 of the recommendation as indicated in bold:
3.2 Endorses the release of the draft Community Safety Plan for the next phase of community engagement which includes the public exhibition of the draft Plan (Attachment 1) and that those with lived experience as residents in our local communities experiencing unsafe environments are engaged via targeted consultation, and trauma informed consultation with people with experience of homelessness, and reconvenes the Community Safety Roundtable to seek their feedback.A vote was taken and the AMENDMENT was CARRIED unanimously.
The AMENDMENT became the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION.
That Council:
3.1 Notes the work done to date on the draft Community Safety Plan.
3.2 Endorses the release of the draft Community Safety Plan for the next phase of community engagement which includes the public exhibition of the draft Plan (Attachment 1) and that those with lived experience as residents in our local communities experiencing unsafe environments are engaged via targeted consultation, and trauma informed consultation with people with experience of homelessness, and reconvenes the Community Safety Roundtable to seek their feedback.3.3 Notes the Community Safety Engagement Report (Attachment 2) outlining feedback received during community engagement which took place between 22 May to 29 June 2025.
3.4 Endorses all Community Safety Roundtable Recommendations (Attachment 3) noting that these actions have also been included within the draft Community Safety Plan and draft Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy.
3.5 Notes that the Police Protocol and proposed Local Law amendment are progressing and Council is currently waiting on legal advice from Victoria Police.
A vote was taken and the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting for a break at 8.17 pm.
The meeting resumed at 8.30 pmPURPOSE
1.1 To outline the proposed delivery approach of the Community Infrastructure Plan (CIP).
1.2 To seek Council’s endorsement to initiate the first stage of community engagement for the CIP.
Moved Crs Makin/Thomann
That Council:
3.1 Approves the proposed approach to deliver the Community Infrastructure Plan including the first phase of exploratory community engagement, scheduled from 6 October to 2 November 2025.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
1.1 To seek Council endorsement of funding recommendations made by the Community Grants Assessment Panel for applications to the Community Grants Program 2025-26.
Councillors Cunsolo and Thomann declared material conflicts of interests in relation to this item and left meeting at 9.31 pm.
Moved Crs Halliday/Crawford
That Council:
3.1 Thanks, all applicants for their interest in Council’s Community Grants Program.
3.2 Endorses the Community Grants Assessment Panel’s funding allocation recommendations for the Community Grants Program 2025-26, as detailed in confidential Attachment 1.
3.3 Endorses the Community Grants Assessment Panel’s funding allocation recommendations for the Community Grants Program 2025-26, as detailed in confidential Attachment 2.
3.4 Makes public the list of successful applications for the Community Grants Program 2025-26 on Council’s website once all applicants have been advised of the outcome of their application.
3.5 Endorses reallocation of residual funds from the Community Grants Program 2025-26 for potential allocation under the Quick Response Grants Program.
3.6 Formally thanks the voluntary members of the Community Grants Assessment Panel for their valuable time and contribution to the community life of the City of Port Phillip.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
Councillors Cunsolo and Thomann returned to the meeting at 9.33 pm.
PURPOSE
1.1 To endorse the South Melbourne Market Annual Report 2024-25.
Moved Crs Jay/Makin
That Council:
3.1 Endorses the South Melbourne Market Annual Report 2024 – 25 (Attachment 1).
3.2 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer (or their delegate) to make any minor editorial changes that do not materially alter the Annual Report.A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
1.1 To obtain Council’s in principle approval of the annual financial statements and performance statement for the financial year ending 30 June 2025.
Moved Crs Mears/Crawford
That Council:
3.1 Notes the financial performance for financial year 2024/25 which includes an operating surplus and a low-risk rating on the Victorian Auditor General’s Office Financial Sustainability.
3.2 Gives in principle approval to the annual financial statements and performance statement (the statements) for the financial year ended 30 June 2025.
3.3 Authorises the Mayor, Councillor Louise Crawford, and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Bryan Mears, to certify the annual financial statements and performance statement for the financial year ended 30 June 2025.
3.4 Approves the materiality threshold in the performance statement at +/- 10 per cent of Council’s 2023/24 result for the explanation of variances between the 2024/25 and 2023/24 result.
3.5 Authorises the Mayor and the Chief Executive Officer, to certify the Governance and Management checklist.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
Deferred to the 24 September 2025 Council meeting.
Councillor Makin reported as the Councillor delegate to the Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF) to advise that at the Annual General Meeting it was agreed to amend its meeting dates to enable Councillor Makin to attend, previously the meetings clashed with the City of Port Phillip Council meeting cycle.
Councillor Jay advised that they and Councillor Halliday had attended a presentation by the Environmental Leadership Graduates. The City of Port Phillip Environmental Leadership Program has been running since 2018 with 300 graduates through the program. Councillor Jay highly commended the Sustainability team and officers at the City of Port Phillip who are in charge of this program who delivered an excellent presentation.
Councillor Halliday reported as the Councillor delegate to the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCA) who attended their mayoral forum last week. At this meeting they heard from Sarah Baker, an environmental lawyer, about the obligations of local Councils and the emerging risks and liabilities if reasonable steps are not taken to mitigate and adapt to climate change risks in the future.
Councillor Thomann advised that they attended an event at St Kilda Town Hall organised by the EcoCentre along with the City of Port Phillip, City of Glen Eira and Bayside City Councils to celebrate what we love about our Earth. 230 students attended from 23 local schools. Councillor Thomann was proud to declare that the St Kilda Park Primary School won the Victoria Container Deposit Scheme Award for greatest amount of bottles collected with money going towards the School.
More information
To view the full agenda, upcoming or past Council meeting minutes and relevant attachments, visit our Meetings and Agendas - City of Port Phillip
Please note: The minutes of the Council meeting will be confirmed at the next meeting.