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Council meeting catchup - 24 September 2025
The 24 September 2025 Council Meeting was held at St Kilda Town Hall.
Items Actioned included:
- To sell Council-owned land and roads to Coles Group Property Developments Ltd, paving the way for a major revitalisation of the Balacava precinct.
- To issue a notice of decision to grant a permit for a partial demolition and building works at 1/16A Murchison Street, St Kilda.
Council meeting agenda
PURPOSE
1.1 To present to Council the outcomes of the process undertaken to consider the discontinuance of laneways and sale of Council-owned land adjacent to Coles supermarket, Balaclava.1.2 To present the final outcomes of the negotiations between Council and Coles, that have been based on extensive community engagement and feedback, to secure community benefit from the transaction.
1.3 To seek Council’s determination on whether to proceed with the proposed discontinuance of laneways and sale of Council-owned land in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 (Vic).
The following question was taken on notice during discussion of the item:
Cr Thomann: This development will be of several millions, do the normal conditions apply that a development over a certain amount of money, a certain percentage of the development has to be allocated to public art?
Lachlan Johnson, General Manager Operations and Infrastructure took the question on notice.The Mayor adjourned the meeting for a break at 8.56 pm.
The meeting resumed at 9.05 pm.Moved Crs Buckingham/Halliday
That Council having considered submissions received in response to public notices:3.1 Resolves to discontinue laneways R3979, R3743, R3977, and R4141 as it considers that it may result in a better use of land, the land has no strategic value to Council, and Council, on behalf of the community, may obtain a fair and equitable return on land that was originally set aside for a public purpose.
3.2 Resolves to sell the discontinued laneways and land described below for no less than market value to an adjoining property owner, Coles Group Property Developments Ltd, by private negotiation to be determined on an equitable value basis.
3.2.1 Laneway R3979 that comprises land contained in Volume 8945 Folio 006 with an area of 269m2, being Lot #1 on TP4388679C;
3.2.2 Laneway R3743 that comprises land contained in Memorial No 975 Book 539 with an area of 44m2;3.2.3 Laneways R3977 and R4141 that comprise land contained in Volume 00268 Folio 542 with an area of 94m2 and 167m2 respectively, being Lot #1 on TP923236K;
3.2.4 2-8 Alfred Street, Balaclava Vic 3182, that comprises land with an area of 1053m2 contained in:
• Volume 3412 Folio 302, being Lot 1 on plan TP846586J; and
• Volume 2437 Folio 239, being lot 1 on plan TP748693E;3.2.5 49-53 Nelson Street, Balaclava Vic 3182, that comprises land with an area of 614m2 contained in:
• Volume 8945 Folio 008, being lot 1 on plan TP438679C;
• Volume 6274 Folio 720, being lot 1 on plan TP904522R;
• Volume 5928 Folio 437, being lot 1 on plan TP232252P; and
• Volume 5968 Folio 409, being lot 1 on plan TP245869W.3.3 Notes that proceeds from the sale will go into Council’s Strategic Property Reserve, used to support the acquisition and development of public assets which, subject to future budget processes, may include:
• Investment in the refurbishment of the St Kilda Library.
• Delivery of future elements of the Balaclava Urban Forest Precinct Plan.
• Delivery of streetscape and public realm upgrades identified as part of the Carlisle Street and Surrounds, Streetscape Plan.3.4 Directs that a notice pursuant to clause 3 of Schedule 10 of the Local Government Act 1989 (Vic) is published in the Victorian Government Gazette.
3.5 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer or their delegate to execute a Contract of Sale and associated section 173 Agreement, securing delivery of the following community benefit obligations and subject to the conditions specified in 3.6:
3.5.1 Contemporary full line supermarket;
3.5.2 Replacement of 142 at-grade parking spaces with the same number of spaces available to the public in a basement car park:
3.5.3 Securing access for pedestrians and vehicles, including by members of the public, to the rear of 246-252, 256, 258, 260, 262, 264-266, 268 and 270-272 Carlisle Street, Balaclava;
3.5.4 New public toilets (male, female, accessible);
3.5.5 New public open space of at least 250sqm;
3.5.6 Multiple, clearly defined entrances to the new development to provide for pedestrian permeability and access, including from Carlisle Street;
3.5.7 The retention, conservation and integration of existing heritage buildings in accordance with the Heritage Overlay provisions of the Planning Scheme; and
3.5.8 Residential development; which must include affordable housing.3.6 In respect of 3.5.3 above, directs the CEO to resolve the following to their satisfaction:
3.6.1 The implementation and registration of a section 173 agreement prior to settlement of the sale, which provides:
A. An obligation to maintain ongoing access to the rear of the properties outlined; and
B. The registration of the carriageway easement referred to in 3.6.2 below; and
3.6.2 Securing a carriageway easement for the benefit of the properties outlined.3.7 Confirms Council will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding upon execution of a Contract of Sale with Coles to undertake engagement with Council and the community prior to lodging a development application under the Victorian Government’s Development Facilitation Pathway (DFP).
3.8 Directs that the Owner be required to consolidate the title to the discontinued Road with the title to the Owner’s land (or such part of it approved by Council) within 12 months of the date of the transfer of the discontinued Road.
3.9 Authorises the CEO to do all things necessary to enable the sale and transfer of land, including (if required) affixing the Common Seal of Port Phillip City Council to the relevant legal documents including the Contract of Sale, section 173 Agreement, and Memorandum of Understanding.
3.10 Directs that executed copies of the section 173 Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding are published on Council’s website.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
Mayor Crawford adjourned the meeting for a break at 9.38 pm
The Mayor left the meeting and vacated the role of Chair at 9.38 pm.
The meeting resumed at 9.46 pm and Deputy Mayor Mears assumed the role of Chair.PURPOSE
1.1 To consider and determine Planning Application PDPL/00117/2025 for partial demolition and buildings and works comprising an extension to the two existing dwellings in the Neighbourhood Residential Zone – Schedule 5 and the Heritage Overlay.
Councillor Halliday declared a potential/perceived conflict of interest in relation to this item and left the meeting at 9.47 pm.
Moved Crs Makin/Cunsolo
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 a Permit.
3.2 That a Notice of Decision to Grant a Permit be issued subject to the following permissions:
Planning Scheme Clause No. and Description of What is Allowed:
Extend a dwelling if there are two or more dwellings on the lot32.09- 7 - Extend a dwelling if there are two or more dwellings on the lot
43.01-1 - Demolish or remove a building
43.01-1 - Construct a building or construct or carry out works.
3.3 That the decision be issued subject to the following conditions:
Amended plans required
1 Before the 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 must be generally in accordance with the application plans identified as 16A Murchison Street St Kilda Alterations and Additions pages TP01-TP17 and prepared by Opat Architecture Pty Ltd, but further modified to show:
a) Storage areas for each apartment in accordance with Standard B3-11 of the Storage Objective of Clause 55.03-11.
b) Solar protection to the ground floor north facing windows of Apartment 1 in accordance with Standard B5-4 of the Solar protection to new north facing windows objective of Clause 55.05-4.
c) Any changes as required by the landscape plans required by Condition 12 of this permit in accordance with Standard B2-7 of the tree canopy objective of Clause 55.02-7.
d) Any changes as required by the water sensitive urban design report required by Condition 7 of this permit in accordance with Standard B5-1 of the Permeability and Stormwater Management Objective of Clause 55.05-1.
No alterations
2 The development as shown on the endorsed plans must not be altered or modified (unless the Port Phillip Planning Scheme specifies a permit is not required) except with the prior written consent of the Responsible Authority.Walls on or facing boundaries
3 Before the building is occupied, the walls on or facing the boundary of adjoining properties must be cleaned and finished to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority. Painted or bagged walls must be finished to a uniform standard and unpainted or unrendered walls must have all excess mortar removed.
No equipment or services
4 No plant, equipment or domestic services (including any associated screening devices) or architectural features, other than those shown on the endorsed plan are permitted, except where they would not be visible from a street frontage (other than a lane) or public park except with the prior written consent of the Responsible Authority.
Water Sensitive Urban Design response
5 Concurrent with the endorsement of plans required by Condition 1, a Water Sensitive Urban Design Response must be submitted to and approved by the Responsible Authority. When approved, the Water Sensitive Urban Design Response will be endorsed and will then form part of the permit. It must:
a) Demonstrate how the development meets the water quality performance objectives as set out in the Urban Stormwater – Best Practice Environmental Management Guidelines (CSIRO, 1999) or its updated equivalent. This must include:
i. Design details of the water sensitive urban design stormwater treatments to be used, including cross-sections and connection to legal point of discharge.
ii. A plan showing all stormwater catchment areas, permeable and impermeable areas in square metres (m2).
iii. A plan illustrating the location of the nominated water sensitive urban design stormwater treatment measures in relation to buildings, sealed surfaces and landscaping areas, with connection notations.
b) Details of how the water sensitive urban design stormwater treatment measures will be maintained on an on-going basis. This must be demonstrated by providing a maintenance manual including the following information:
i. A full list of maintenance tasks.
ii. The required frequency of each maintenance task (monthly, annually etc.).
iii. Person responsible for each maintenance task.
Incorporation of Water Sensitive Urban Design measures
6 The provisions, recommendations and requirements of the endorsed Water Sensitive Urban Design Response must be implemented and complied with to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority and must not be varied except with the written approval of the Responsible Authority.Pre-occupation compliance with Water Sensitive Urban Design requirements
7 Before the development is occupied, a report must be submitted confirming that all measures specified in the endorsed Water Sensitive Urban Design Response have been implemented in accordance with the approved plan. The report must be prepared by a suitably qualified professional and be to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.
Construction Management Water Sensitive Urban Design
8 The developer must ensure that throughout the construction of the development and construction and carrying out of works allowed by this permit:
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.
Car parking area must be available
9 Car parking areas and access lanes must be developed and kept available for those purposes at all times and must not be used for any other purpose such as storage to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.
Lighting
10 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.
Landscape and canopy tree plan
11 Before the development starts, a Landscape and Canopy Tree Plan (LCTP) to the satisfaction of the responsible authority must be submitted to and approved by the responsible authority. When approved, the LCTP will be endorsed and will then form part of the permit. The LCTP must be prepared by a suitably qualified or experienced in landscape design, drawn to scale with dimensions, and show how the proposal meets the canopy cover, tree type, deep soil, and planter requirements of Standard B2-7 of Clause 55.02-7, or indicate how and alternative solution provides a suitable outcome, through submission of the following:
a) A site plans that indicates the required amount of canopy cover, number and type of canopy trees, deep soil, and planter requirements
b) A development summary table that includes:
i. The site area
ii. The required number of canopy trees and their size in diameter, and total amount of canopy cover provided for the site, including any existing trees that are retained and can be used in calculating canopy cover
iii. The required amount of deep soil and volume of planter soil, and the total amount provided for the site.
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 throughout landscaped areas.
d) Canopy tree species selection to be to the satisfaction of the responsible authority, having regard to the location and relevant geographic factors.
The responsible authority may consent in writing to vary these requirements.
Landscaping implementation
12 Before the dwellings are occupied, or by such later date as approved in writing by the Responsible Authority, the landscaping works (including canopy tree planting) shown on the endorsed Landscape and Canopy Tree Plan must be carried out and completed to the satisfaction of the Responsible Authority.
Landscape maintenance
13 The landscaping as shown 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.
Permit expiry
14 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 four years of the date of this permit.
The Responsible Authority may extend the permit if a request is made in writing in accordance with Section 69 of Planning and Environment Act 1987.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was TIED.
The Deputy Mayor exercised their casting vote in FAVOUR of the MOTION.
The MOTION was CARRIED.
Cr Jay called for a DIVISION.
FOR: Crs Makin, Mears, and Cunsolo
AGAINST: Crs Jay, Thomann and Buckingham
The MOTION was TIED.Deputy Mayor exercised their casting vote in FAVOUR of the MOTION.
The MOTION was CARRIED.
Councillor Halliday returned to the meeting at 10.11pm.
EXTENSION OF TIME
Moved Crs Makin/ThomannThat council, in line with provision 10.2 of the governance rules extends the meeting on 24 September by 30 minutes (until 10.30 pm).
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.
Deputy Mayor Mears noted that on page 17 of the CEO Report Issue 130 July 2025, the completion date of St Kilda Pier Landside Works project was incorrectly reported as June 2026, (correct date being February 2026. This will be updated in the final CEO report published to Council’s website.
Moved Crs Thomann/Halliday
That Council:
3.1 Notes the CEO Report – Issue 120 (provided as Attachment 1).
3.2 Authorises the CEO, or their delegate, to make minor editorial amendments that do not substantially alter the content of the report.
3.3 Approves the increase in funding from $1.44 million to $1.55 million from the Stormwater Harvesting Program for Council’s contribution to the Elwood Park Expansion Stormwater Harvesting Scheme.A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
1.1 To provide Councillors with an update on the status of all Resolutions passed by Council at Council and Planning Committee Meetings between 1 April to 30 June 2025 and the status of actions that were previously reported as outstanding in the last quarterly status report.
1.2 To provide Council with an update on the status of Questions Taken on Notice during Council Meetings from 1 April to 30 June 2025.
The following question was taken on notice during discussion of this item:• Councillor Makin: In relation to the two Council decisions from 20 March 2024 ‘Council submission to the Victorian Government’s Fishermans Bend Urban Renewal Redevelopment Contribution Plan’ and the ‘Council submission to the Montague Precinct’. I have noticed that these resolutions included letters sent by the Mayor, has Council received responses from those letters?
Brian Tee, General Manager City Growth and Development took the question on notice.• Councillor Thomann: In relation to the Chapel Street, St Kilda – Proposed Pedestrian operated signal’ resolution from 21 May 2025. I believe this decision has been incorrectly reported as ‘completed’ as the pedestrian crossing has not been delivered?
Brian Tee, General Manager City Growth and Development undertook to follow up and report back the status of this decision as part of the next quarterly status report.Moved Crs Makin/Thomann
That Council:
3.1 Notes the implementation status of Council and Planning Committee Resolutions as contained in Attachments 1 and 2.
3.2 Notes the response status of questions taken on notice during Council Meetings as contained in Attachment 3.A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
1.1 To report on the expenses incurred by Councillors during August 2025 in accordance with the Councillor Expenses and Support Policy.
The following question was taken on notice during discussion of the item:
• Councillor Halliday: I note that two Councillors attended a conference recently which appears in their expenses, but a third Councillor attended the same conference which does not appear in their expenses?
James Gullan, Acting Director Governance and Performance took the question on notice.Moved Crs Thomann/Halliday
That Council:
3.1 Notes the monthly Councillor expenses report for August 2025 (attachment 1) and that this will be made available on Council’s website.A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
1.1 This report provides an overview of the review into Council’s use of labour hire and agency staffing arrangements (conducted in 2024) and recommends to Council that City of Port Phillip renews its contractual agreements with Procurement Australia for the provision of recruitment services including short term temporary and permanent placements with the organisation.
Moved Crs Halliday/Thomann
That Council:
3.1 Authorises the CEO to enter into a new Contract with Procurement Australia on a four-year term from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2029 for up to $37 million over the life of the contract.
3.2 Authorises the CEO to enter an extension of the current Recruitment services agreement with Procurement Australia (Recruitment, Training and associated Services 000649) for up to 12 months, with an additional contract expenditure of $7.9M in the unlikely event the new agreement from Procurement Australia is not delivered by 1 January 2026.
3.3 In the event that 3.2 is required due to Procurement Australia panel not being finalised by 31 December 2025, authorises the CEO to enter into a new contract with Procurement Australia on a four-year term from the date of panel commencement (to be confirmed), for $37m over the life of the four-year contract.
3.4 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer or their delegate the selection and use of the recruitment vendors approved on the Procurement Australia panel.
3.5 Notes that officers will undertake a detailed review of services in year three of the contract to evaluate continued value for money and alignment with council needs.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
1.1 For Council to consider whether part of Union Place, South Melbourne, more particularly described on the City of Port Phillip’s Register of Roads as UNIP01-10 and shown hatched in the image below (the Road), should be discontinued pursuant to the Local Government Act 1989 (Vic) (the Act) and sold to an adjoining property owner.
Moved Crs Jay/Makin
That Council:
Having considered that there were no submissions received in response to the public notice regarding Council’s proposal to discontinue the road being the land more particularly known as part of Road UNIP01-10:
3.1 Resolves to discontinue the Road as it considers that the Road in not reasonably required for public use for the following reasons:
3.1.1 Does not form part of a thoroughfare for pedestrian or vehicular traffic to any other public road; and
3.1.2 Other than providing pedestrian and vehicular access to the applicant, benefits only one other adjoining owner situated at 206-208 Bank Street, South Melbourne;
3.2 Resolves to sell the discontinued Road for market value plus disbursement of Council’s costs to facilitate this transaction to the adjoining owner of 154-158 Bank Street, South Melbourne (“Owner”);
3.3 Notes that proceeds from the sale will go into Council’s Strategic Property Reserve used to support the acquisition and development of the property portfolio;
3.4 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer or their delegate to negotiate, approve, and enter into such documentation to complete the discontinuance, sale, and transfer of the Road as described;
3.5 Directs that the Chief Executive Officer or their delegate signs an authorisation allowing Council’s solicitors to execute transfer documents and any other documents required to be signed on Council’s behalf in connection with the transfer of the discontinued Road to the Owner;
3.6 Directs that any easements, rights or interests required to be created or saved over the Road by any public authority be done so and not be affected by the discontinuance and sale of the Road; and
3.7 Directs that the Owner be required to consolidate the title to the discontinued Road with the title to the Owner’s land (or such part of it approved by Council) within 12 months of the date of the transfer of the discontinued Road.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
EXTENSION OF TIME
Moved Crs Makin/HallidayThat council in line with provision 10.2 of the governance rules extends the meeting on 24 September by 30 minutes (until 11 pm).
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.Moved Crs Thomann/Jay
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 Update on the implementation of the Village Model
3(1)(a) Council business information, being information that would prejudice the Council's position in commercial negotiations if prematurely released.Reason: The report contains information that if prematurely released would impact Council's ability to deliver aged care services, including service planning and delivery given it operates within a competitive and market-driven landscape
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
The meeting closed to members of the public at 10.36 pm.
The meeting reopened to members of the public at 10.59 pm.
As there was no further business the meeting closed at 10.59 pm.
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.