Council meeting catchup - 18 June 2025

A Petition containing 91 signatures, was received from residents of Woodgate Street and Boundary Street.

The following question was taken on notice during discussion of the item:

Councillor Makin: We’ve highlighted that we’re going to be undertaking a municipal wide assessment of the public lighting network through the next financial year. It would be useful to talk through the methodology around the assessment. Will part of the prioritisation include proximity to public transport, proximity to likelihood of urban renewal of those precincts in order to see an increase in pedestrian traffic in these areas?
Lachlan Johnson, General Manager, Operations and Infrastructure took the question on notice.

Moved Crs Makin/Cunsolo

That Council:
1. Receives and notes the Petition.
2. Thanks the petitioners for their Petition relating to street lighting between Woodgate and Boundary Streets, South Melbourne.
3. Directs the CEO, or their delegate, to arrange for the temporary deployment of a lighting solution to improve the current situation, and the pruning of trees to address shading issues impacting lighting performance.
4. Provides a response at a future Council meeting, informed by the municipal wide assessment of the public lighting network.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

A Petition containing 19 signatures was received from residents of Alma Ward, Albert Park Ward & City of Port Phillip.

Moved Crs Halliday/Thomann

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 consideration.
4. Notes that Council has recently completed community engagement on proposed improvements to Argyle Street, which were instigated in response to community advocacy.
5. Notes that the feedback received via the petition will be included and responded to as part of the community engagement process.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

A Petition containing 26 signatures, was received from the residents of Alma Ward, Albert Park Ward and the City of Port Phillip.

Moved Crs Halliday/Buckingham

That Council:

Receives and notes the Petition and provides a response as part of the Balaclava & East St Kilda Urban Forest Precinct Plan report being considered at a future Council meeting.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To provide Council with a regular update from the Chief Executive Officer regarding Council’s activities and performance.

Chris Carroll, Chief Executive Officer, advised that the following errors were found in issue 117 in attachment 1:

In the Fishermans Bend update on page 6 the full sentence should read “including 50 units delivered by Housing Choices Australia.”

In the project update for the Shrine to Sea on page 44, there is text missing.

These errors will be rectified in the final published versions of the CEO report to Council’s website.

Moved Crs Halliday/Makin

That Council:
3.1 Notes the CEO Report – Issue 117 (provided as Attachment 1).
3.2 Notes the CEO Report – Issue 118 (provided as Attachment 2).
3.3 Authorises the CEO or their delegate to make minor editorial amendments that do not substantially alter the content of the report.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To present the Older Persons Advisory Committee (OPAC) Annual Report (Attachment 1) for the period January to December 2024.

Moved Crs Buckingam/Halliday

That Council:

3.1 Acknowledges the value of the work undertaken by the Older Persons Advisory Committee as the peak advisory and advocacy body on issues affecting the wellbeing of older people (55 years and over) within the City of Port Phillip.
3.2 Notes the Older Persons Advisory Committee Annual Report 2024 (Attachment 1)
3.3 Thanks the members of the Older Persons Advisory Committee for their contribution, and for their generosity in sharing their knowledge and lived experience to improve the lives of older people in Port Phillip.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To present the Engagement Summary Report (refer Attachment 1) arising from the community engagement on the new proposed public toilets for the St Kilda Botanical Gardens.
1.2 To recommend Council proceed to the design stage at a preferred location in the Southeast quadrant, near the children’s playground, and adjacent Tennyson Street.

Moved Crs Crawford/Jay

That Council:

3.1 Thanks community members who have provided feedback on the proposed new public amenities within St Kilda Botanical Gardens.
3.2 Notes the Feasibility Study Report and Engagement Summary Report included as Attachments 1 and 2.
3.3 Endorses proceeding to the design stage at the preferred location (option C), in the Southeast quadrant, near the children’s playground, and adjacent Tennyson Street.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

This report responds to community feedback, and a community petition, seeking Council to consider further options for the sighting and upgrade of public amenities in Edwards Park.

1.2
The report provides three location options for Council to consider.

Lachlan Johnson, General Manager Operations and Infrastructure advised an error has been identified in table at 4.29 of the report, relating to the CPTED scores. The CPTED scores in the table are an average, and with the addition of location 5 they were provided as a sum. The overall CPTED score should -0.2, rather than -1.4.

Moved Crs Makin/Cunsolo

That Council:

3.1 Extends its thanks to the community for their feedback on the location options for upgrading the public toilets in Edwards Park.
3.2 Notes the updated assessment of options within the park against the considerations required under the Public Toilet Plan.
3.3 Resolves to construct new public amenities in Edwards Park at location 1a: in the southwest corner of the park, and increase the project budget by up to $70,000 for additional sewer outfall pumping infrastructure, by drawing down upon the Asset Renewal Reserve.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

The mayor adjourned the meeting for a break at 7.54 pm.
The meeting resumed at 8.04 pm.

PURPOSE

1.1 To consider and determine a Section 72 Amendment application to amend an existing planning permit to change the use of the site from an office building with café at ground level and roof terrace to a residential hotel that retains the café and roof terrace and to add an additional (seventh) storey.

Moved Crs Halliday/Crawford

3.1 That the Responsible Authority, having caused the application to be advertised and having received and noted the objections, issue a Notice of Decision to Grant an Amended Permit.

3.2 The permit preamble and conditions will show changes including deletions as strikeout and new requirements in bold (excluding headings which remain bold).

3.3 That a Notice of Decision to Grant an Amended Permit be issued at 190-192 St Kilda Road, St Kilda subject to the following:

Amended permit preamble
Planning Scheme Clause No.
Description of what is allowed
Clause 34.01-1
Use of the land for accommodation where any frontage at ground floor level exceeds 2 metres in a Commercial Zone
Clause 34.01-4
To construct a building or construct or carry out works in a Commercial Zone
Clause 43.02.02
Construct a building or construct or carry out works in a Design and Development Overlay
Clause 52.06-3
Reduce (including to zero) the number of car spaces required under Clause 52.06-5 (struck out)

Amended Plans Required
1 Before the use and development starts, amended plans to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority must be submitted to and approved by the Responsible Authority. When approved, the plans will be endorsed and will then form part of the permit. The plans must be drawn to scale with dimensions and an electronic copy must be provided. The plans must be generally in accordance with the advertised plans, received on received on 26 March 2025 and identified as Project No. 23-0016, prepared by PTD Studio, drawing numbers TP100, TP101, TP102, TP103, TP104, TP105, TP106, TP108, TP107, TP108, TP201, TP202, TP203, TP204, TP301, TP302, TP401, TP402, TP403, TP404, TP500, TP501 but modified to show:

a) Deleted
b) A full schedule of materials, finishes and paint colours including details of the northern wall to demonstrate that the scale of the patten can break scale of the northern wall and that the 3 subtle grey tones are distinct enough to be seen from the street and from a distance.
c) Any changes as required by the amended Waste Management Plan as per the requirements of Condition 12.
d) Any changes as required by the Landscape Plan as per the requirements of Condition 17.
e) Deleted.
f) Any changes as required by the sustainable design and water sensitive urban design initiatives included in the Sustainable Management Plan as required by condition 23.
g) Deleted
h) The size of any solar photovoltaic system and solar hot water panels proposed.
i) Deleted.
j) The 600mm deep recessed windows on levels 1 - 3 reduced to a depth of between 300-400mm with the exception of the windows with a planter box which can retain the 600mm.
k) The door to the bike store as transparent or semitransparent.
l) All cars able to enter and exit the basement through a single centrally located door.
m) Detail of the car stacker including cross sections and elevations within the development floor plans and elevations.
n) Deletion of one storey above the street wall. Deleted
o) Reduced width of fin elements located between hotel rooms above the podium levels to provide greater differentiation between the podium and tower.
p) The area of public art increased to the top of the ground level wall on the south and east elevation.
q) Recession of the section of wall containing the windows to the central corridor to create separation between the two separate sections of hotel rooms on either side of the corridor windows on the south elevation.
r) Deletion of any reference to the electronic, major promotion sky signage which is no longer part of the proposal.
s) A café window on the south elevation and the inclusion of a narrow servery bar as shown on pages 5 and 6 of the publicly advertised renders as part of Planning Permit amendment application 715/2016/A.

No alterations

2 The layout of the site and the size, levels, design and location of buildings and works shown on the endorsed plans and the layout and description of the use(s) as shown on the endorsed plan must not be modified for any reason without the prior written consent of the Responsible Authority, unless the Port Phillip Planning Scheme exempts the need for a permit.

Satisfactory continuation

3 Once the development has started it must be continued and completed to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

External finishes

4 Concurrent with the endorsement of plans, a full schedule of materials, finishes and paint colours, including colour samples (colour samples in a form that is able to be endorsed and held on file), must be submitted to, be to the satisfaction of and approved by the Responsible Authority. When approved, the plans will be endorsed and will then form part of the permit.

No Change to external finishes

5 All external materials, finishes and colours as shown on the endorsed plans must not be altered without the written consent of the responsible authority.

6 Deleted.

Car Parking Stacker Maintenance and Provision

7 The mechanical car stackers are to be maintained in a good working order and be permanently available for the parking of vehicles in accordance with their purpose, to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Car Parking – Free of Charge

8 The areas set aside for car parking, shown on the endorsed plans, must be made available for use free of charge to employees and visitors at all times when the use is in operation and must not be used for any other purpose to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Lighting

9 External lighting of the areas set aside for car parking, access lanes and driveways must be designed, baffled and located to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority to prevent any adverse effect on adjoining land.

Storage and disposal of garbage

10 Provision must be made for the storage and disposal of garbage to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority. All garbage storage areas must be screened from public view.

Amenity

11 The amenity of the area must not be detrimentally affected by the development through the:
a) Transport of materials, goods or commodities to or from the land
b) Appearance of any building, works or materials
c) Emissions of noise, artificial light, vibration, smell, fumes, smoke, steam, soot, ash, dust, waste water, waste products, grit or oil;
d) Presence of vermin;
e) Change to television and/or radio reception
f) In any other way.

Waste Management

12 Concurrent with the endorsement of plans, a Waste Management Plan based on the City of Port Phillip's Waste Management Plan Guidelines for Developments must be prepared by a Waste Management Engineer or Waste Management Planner to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority and endorsed as part of this permit. The Plan must relate to the plans identified in condition 1 and include reference to the following:
• Land use type.
• The estimated garbage and recycling volumes for the whole development.
• Bin quantity, size and colour.
• The garbage and recycling equipment to be used.
• Collection frequency.
• The location and space allocated to the garbage and recycling bin storage area and collection point.
• The waste services collection point for vehicles, noting that with cars parked in Somerset St, the clearance may not allow access for waste trucks. Therefore, waste collection vehicles would need to park on St Kilda Rd and collect the bins manually.
• Waste collection provider.
• How tenants will be regularly informed of the waste management arrangements.
• Scaled waste management drawings.
• Signage.
Once submitted and approved, the waste management plans must be carried out to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Noise Report

13 Before the development commences, a report which relates to the plans identified in condition 1 must be prepared by a suitably qualified Acoustic Consultant and must be submitted to, approved by and be to the satisfaction of Responsible Authority and must address:
a) Any noise attenuation measures to supress noise from plant equipment and car stacker.
All measures outlined in the Noise Report must be incorporated into the development, to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Urban Art Plan

14 Before the occupation of the development allowed by this permit, an urban art plan in accordance with Council's Urban Art Strategy must be submitted to, be to the satisfaction of and approved by the Responsible Authority. The value of the urban art must be at least 0.5% of the total building cost of the development to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Urban art in accordance with the approved plan must be installed prior to the occupation of the building to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Walls on or facing the boundary.

15 Before the occupation of the development allowed by this permit, all new or extended walls on or facing the boundary of adjoining properties and/or a laneway must be cleaned and finished to a uniform standard to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority. Unpainted or unrendered masonry walls must have all excess mortar removed from the joints and face and all joints must be tooled or pointed also to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority
Painted or rendered or bagged walls must be finished to a uniform standard to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Construction of the footpath

16 Prior to the occupation of the development, the 1.2 metre wide footpath on Somerset Street must be constructed in accordance with plans approved by the Responsible Authority and to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Landscape Plan

17 Concurrent with the endorsement of plans, a detailed Landscape Plan which relates to the plans identified in condition 1, must be submitted to, approved by and be to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority. When the Landscape Plan is approved, it will become an endorsed plan forming part of this Permit. The Landscape Plan must incorporate:
a) Buildings and vegetation (including botanical names) on neighbouring properties within 3m of the boundary.
b) All street trees and/or other trees on Council land.
c) A planting schedule of all proposed vegetation including botanical names; common names; pot sizes; sizes at maturity; quantities of each plant; and details of surface finishes of pathways and driveways.
d) Landscaping and planting within all open space areas of the site.
e) Water sensitive urban design.

All species selected must be to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Completion of Landscaping

18 The landscaping as shown the endorsed Landscape Plan must be carried out and completed to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority before the occupation of the development and/or the commencement of the use or at such later date as is approved by the Responsible Authority in writing.

Landscaping maintenance

19 The landscaping as shown on the endorsed Landscape Plan must be maintained, and any dead, diseased or damaged plant replaced in accordance with the landscaping plan to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

No equipment and services

20 No equipment, services and exhausts other than those shown on the endorsed plan must be erected above the roof level of the building unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Responsible Authority.

Treatment of fumes

21 Fumes from any cafe/restaurant kitchen(s) must be treated within the mechanical exhaust system to ensure that any discharge does not create a nuisance (as defined under the Health Act 1958).
Options available include carbon filters, ultra violet ozone producing lamps, electrostatic precipitation, odour neutralising system or other suitable method. The method of treatment must be designed, installed, operated and maintained to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Regulation of deliveries and rubbish collection

22 Deliveries to and from the site, including rubbish collection, must only take place between:
• 7:00am and 10:00pm Monday to Friday
• 7:00am to 10:00pm Saturday
• 10:00am and 9:00pm Sunday.

Sustainable Management Plan

23 Concurrent with the endorsed plans, a revised Sustainable Management Plan which relates to the plans identified in condition 1, that outlines proposed sustainable design and water sensitive urban design initiatives must be submitted to, be to the satisfaction of and approved by the Responsible Authority. When approved, the Plan will be endorsed and will then form part of the permit and the project must incorporate the sustainable design initiatives listed.

Incorporation of Sustainable Design and Water Sensitive Urban Design Initiatives

24 Before the occupation of the development approved under this permit, the project must incorporate the sustainable design and water sensitive urban design initiatives listed in the endorsed Sustainable Management Plan, and thereafter maintained to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.

Implementation of Sustainable Design initiatives

25 Prior to the occupation of any building approved under this permit, a report from the author of the Sustainable Management Plan (Sustainable Built Environments), approved pursuant to this permit, or similarly qualified person or company, must be submitted to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority. The report must confirm that all measures specified in the Sustainable Management Plan have been implemented in accordance with the approved Plan.
Maintenance Manual for Water Sensitive Urban Design Initiatives (Stormwater Management)
26 Before the development starts (other than demolition or works to remediate contaminated land), a Maintenance Manual for Water Sensitive Urban Design Initiatives must be submitted to and approved by the Responsible Authority. The manual must set out future operational and maintenance arrangements for all WSUD (stormwater management) measures. The program must include, but is not limited to:
• inspection frequency
• cleanout procedures
• as installed design details/diagrams including a sketch of how the system operates
The WSUD Maintenance Manual may form part of a broader Maintenance Program that covers other aspects of maintenance such as a Building User's Guide or a Building Maintenance Guide.

Site Management Water Sensitive Design

27 The developer must ensure that:
a) No water containing oil, foam, grease, scum or litter will be discharged to the stormwater drainage system from the site;
b) All stored wastes are kept in designated areas or covered containers that prevent escape into the stormwater system;
c) The amount of mud, dirt, sand, soil, clay or stones deposited by vehicles on the abutting roads is minimised when vehicles are leaving the site.
d) No mud, dirt, sand, soil, clay or stones are washed into, or are allowed to enter the stormwater drainage system;
e) The site is developed and managed to minimise the risks of stormwater pollution through the contamination of run-off by chemicals, sediments, animal wastes or gross pollutants in accordance with currently accepted best practice.

Use of the roof terrace

28 The roof terrace must only be used between the hours of 7am and 11pm, unless with the prior written consent of the Responsible Authority.

Time for starting and completion

29 This permit will expire if one of the following circumstances applies:
a) The development is not started within two years of the date of this permit.
b) The development is not completed within two years of the date of commencement of works.
c) The use is not commenced within 2 years.

The Responsible Authority may extend the periods referred to if a request is made in writing before the permit expires or within three months afterwards.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of this report is to seek endorsement from Council for the City of Port Phillip’s officer submission to Infrastructure Victoria regarding ‘Victoria’s Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy’.

1.2 This report also seeks to inform Council of the submissions made by the Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF) and the Melbourne 9 (M9) to Infrastructure Victoria regarding ‘Victoria’s Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy’ and to have those submissions noted.

Moved Crs Makin/Halliday

That Council:

3.1 Notes and expresses its support for the officer submission to Infrastructure Victoria regarding ‘Victoria’s Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy’.
3.2 Notes the Melbourne Transport Forum’s submission regarding ‘Victoria’s Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy’.
3.3 Notes the Melbourne 9’s submission regarding ‘Victoria’s Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy’.
3.4 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer (or their delegate) to engage with Infrastructure Victoria to further the stated aims of the officer submission to Infrastructure Victoria regarding ‘Victoria’s Draft 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy’.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To recommend a response to Melbourne Water’s request to update the technical specifications underpinning the municipal wide flood model.

Moved Crs Halliday/Makin

That Council:

3.1 Endorses option 1 to refer the matter of updating the flood model specification back to Melbourne Water as the technical experts and floodplain manager.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To seek decisions to allow the installation of public fast electric vehicle chargers. 1.2 To update Council on the utility pole-mounted electric vehicle charger rollout. 1.3 To seek decisions on proposed changes to the private kerbside electric vehicle charger pilot.

Moved Crs Makin/Jay

That Council:
3.1 Confirms Fast Cities Australia Pty Limited (trading as Evie Networks) to design, supply, install, operate, manage and maintain a public electric vehicle fast charging station at 228-234 Park Street, South Melbourne.
3.2 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate to execute the licence agreement with Fast Cities Australia Pty Limited (trading as Evie Networks)
3.3 Allows applications for installation of private EV chargers in, on or above footpaths from properties in flood-prone areas.
3.4 Permits applications for installation of private EV chargers in, on or above footpaths from properties with off-street parking.
3.5 Removes the requirement for $500 bond to be paid and refunded upon completion of installation of the private kerbside EV charging device.
3.6 Updates the guidance for installation of private EV chargers in, on or above footpaths to be technology-neutral and accommodate emerging devices.
3.7 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate, to register private EV chargers on public kerbside with Before You Dig Australia on behalf of the applicant.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To resolve an approach to determine the extent of existing use rights associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple at 197-205 Danks Street Albert Park (subject land).
1.2 This will provide certainty in relation to the aspects of the use that can lawfully be carried out on the land, and if any aspects of the use of the land that do not benefit from an existing use right, can then be further considered in relation to the requirements of the Port Phillip Planning Scheme (planning scheme), through a separate planning process.

Moved Crs Hardy/Cunsolo

That Council:

3.1 Resolves to apply to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) for a declaration under section 149A of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, for a determination on whether existing use rights are established in relation to the use of 197-205 Danks Street Albert Park for purposes associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Temple.
3.2 Authorises the Manager City Development to instruct planning and/or legal representation to determine, based on evidence and law, the extent of any existing use rights, to apply and advocate in relation to the application for a declaration under section 149A of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
3.3 Authorises the requisite budget to undertake the declaration proceeding.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1.
To facilitate the adoption of the Terms of Reference documents for the Youth Advisory Committee.
1.2.
To facilitate an extension of a previously committed timeframe for the advisory committee review.
1.3.
To pause the recruitment of new members for the Multicultural, LGBTIQA+ and Older Persons advisory committees until the advisory committee review is completed.
1.4.
To reconstitute the Quick Response Grants Program Assessment Panel in line with Victorian Auditor General Office recommendations.

Moved Crs Buckingham/Thomann

That Council:

3.1 Adopts the updated Terms of Reference documents for the:
Youth Advisory Committee as outlined in Attachment 1
3.2 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate, to make minor changes that do not materially alter the Terms of Reference document.
3.3 Grants officers an extension until 30 September to report back on Council’s advisory committee review.
3.4 Notes the valuable contributions of the LGBTIQA+ advisory committee and pauses recruitment of new members pending the outcome of the advisory committee review.
3.5 Notes the valuable contributions of the Multicultural advisory committee and pauses recruitment of new members pending the outcome of the advisory committee review.
3.6 Notes the valuable contributions of the Older Persons Advisory Committee and pauses recruitment of new members pending the outcome of the advisory committee review.
3.7 Revokes Councillors who were appointed at the 11 December 2024 Ordinary Meeting from the Quick Response Grants Program Assessment Panel.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

Moved Crs Buckingham/Thomann

That Council resolves to move into confidential to deal with the following matters pursuant to section 66(2) of the Local Government Act 2020:

17.1 St Kilda Pier Landside Works Upgrade - Contract Award

3(1)(g(ii)) private commercial information, being information provided by a business, commercial or financial undertaking that if released, would unreasonably expose the business, commercial or financial undertaking to disadvantage.

Reason: This report contains the assessment and recommendation arising from a confidential procurement process. Further, the report outlines options available to address a budget shortfall. The costings of these options are commercial in confidence. Disclosure of this information publicly may impact Council's ability to work with the recommended contractor in the delivery of the project.

17.2 Delivered Meals Contract Extension Report

3(1)(g(ii)) private commercial information, being information provided by a business, commercial or financial undertaking that if released, would unreasonably expose the business, commercial or financial undertaking to disadvantage.
Reason: The report contains specific information regarding the current contract spend, and contractor performance which would unreasonably expose the business.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED.

The meeting closed to members of the public at 9.07 pm.
The meeting reopened to members of the public at 9:39 pm
As there was no further business the meeting closed at 9.39 pm.