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- Council meeting catchup - 3 December 2025
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Council meeting catchup - 3 December 2025
The 3 December 2025 Council Meeting was held at St Kilda Town Hall.
Items actioned included:
- to request the Minister for Planning to appoint an independent planning panel to consider the amendment and submissions relating to the South Melbourne Structure Plan.
- for the Mayor to ask the Victorian Government for jet skis to be excluded within 200 m of adjoining Port Phillip beaches and the St Kilda Pier and harbour to improve safety.
Council meeting agenda
Mayor Makin accepted the Core Values Award (Environment) from the Engagement Institute (formerly IAP2) for Council’s work on its community engagement and development for the Urban Forest Strategy 2024-2040.
Dana Pritchard, Manager Open Space, Recreation and Community Resilience was proud to present this award to Council that recognises the engagement behind the Urban Forest Strategy 2024-2040. Over 600 people including residents, businesses and environmental groups took part in an inclusive, multi-stage process to develop this strategy.
Dana Pritchard particularly acknowledged Councillor Cunsolo for their generosity hosting the Mayor's roundtable as the first engagement event as part of this project. The engagement then progressed through a series of workshops and stakeholder engagements, in which a lot of Port Phillip centric data was shared throughout the project which formed the basis of all conversations. The approach ensured that Council heard from diverse and knowledgeable voices in the community helping to develop this strategy which will guide Council building a healthy, biodiverse and connected urban forest through to 2040.
Dana Pritchard thanked all who contributed for setting a benchmark in deep community engagement and demonstrating how meaningful engagement can turn diverse voices into shared ownership and lasting impact.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting due to technical difficulties with the livestream at 6:38 pm. The Mayor resumed the meeting at 6:48 pm.Mark Stefanac spoke to the deputation request regarding community safety issues in Church and Dow Streets, South Melbourne.
PURPOSE
1.1 To provide Council with a regular update from the Chief Executive Officer regarding Council’s activities and performance.
Councillor Jay The report refers to 80 cages being installed on public bins as part of the initiative to support the container deposit scheme. Is this an additional 80 to what we’ve already put on, and where did the funding come from?
Paul Wood, General Manager City Infrastructure took the question on notice.
Councillor Thomann: Can officers provide an update on the St Kilda Pier landside works upgrade? Is the work going to continue during the summer holidays?
Kylie Bennetts, General Manager Community Wellbeing took the question on notice.
Moved Crs Thomann/Halliday
That Council:
3.1 Notes the CEO Report – October 2025 Issue 123 (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.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
1.1 To consider written submissions received to Amendment C219port (South Melbourne Structure Plan) to the Port Phillip Planning Scheme during the public exhibition stage.
1.2 To determine whether to request the Minister for Planning to appoint an independent planning panel to consider the amendment and submissions.
1.3 To consider endorsing the response to the issues raised in submissions, including recommended changes to the amendment, to form the basis of Council’s advocacy position at the Panel Hearing.
Moved Crs Jay/Halliday
That Council:
3.1 Requests the Minister for Planning appoint an independent Planning Panel to consider the submissions received to Amendment C219port, in accordance with Part 8 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
3.2 Having formally considered all written submissions made to Amendment C219port to the Port Phillip Planning Scheme, endorses the response to the issues raised by the submissions and recommended changes to the amendment (set out in Attachments 1 and 2) as the basis for Council’s advocacy position and submission to the Panel.
3.3 Refers the submissions received to Amendment C219port to the Panel to be appointed by the Minister for Planning, including any late submissions.
3.4 Writes to all submitters to Amendment C219port to inform them of Council’s decision.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
1.1 To seek Council endorsement for the draft Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan to be released for community consultation.
Moved Crs Halliday/Thomann
That Council:
3.1 Endorses the release of the draft Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan (Attachment 1) for community consultation and engagement, commencing in early 2026.
3.2 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate, to make minor editorial amendments to Strategy and Action Plan that do not materially alter its intent prior to commencement of community engagement.
3.3 Notes that a report on the outcomes of the community consultation, including an updated Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan will be presented to Council in 2026.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting for a break at 8:12 pm. The meeting resumed at 8:21 pm.
Councillor Thomann declared a material conflict of interest in relation to this item and left the meeting at 8:22 pm.
PURPOSE
1.1 To present consultation feedback and seek Council’s endorsement of the Footpath Trading Fee Policy (2025).
Moved Crs Jay/Hardy
That Council:
3.1 Adopts the Footpath Trading Fee Policy (2025) provided as Attachment 1.
3.2 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate, to make minor amendments that do not materially alter the intent of the policy.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
Councillor Thomann returned to the meeting at 8:37 pm.
PURPOSE
1.1 To present the updated Community Engagement Policy and supporting Strategic Commitment document to Council for adoption following completion of the community engagement (August - September 2025).
Councillor Thomann: How much does Council spend on community consultation?
Monique Cosgrove, Head of Stakeholder Engagement advised Port Phillip has a large engagement team in comparison to other Councils which avoids outsourcing and reduces costs, but took the question on notice to provide an accurate cost figure.
Moved Crs Buckingham/Thomann
That Council:
3.1 Notes the feedback received from the community over the two stages of community engagement and thanks participants for their contributions.
3.2 Adopts the updated Community Engagement Policy, as presented in Attachment 1.
3.3 Adopts the Strategic Commitment document ‘Port Phillip in Partnership’, as presented in Attachment 2.
3.4 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate, to make minor changes to Attachments 1 or 2 that do not materially alter the intent of the documents.
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 July to 30 September 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 July to 30 September 2025.
Moved Crs Thomann/Halliday
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 present to Council a proposed timetable for Council and Planning Committee meetings for 2026.
Moved Crs Thomann/Crawford
That Council:
3.1 Adopts the Council and Planning Committee Meeting timetable for 2026 (Attachment 1).
3.2 Notes that under the Governance Rules the Chief Executive Officer or delegate, after consultation with the Mayor, in the case of an administrative matter or an emergency situation, may alter the date, time or location of, or cancel a Council meeting by giving such notice to the Councillors and the public as is practicable.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
PURPOSE
Moved Crs Thomann/Halliday
That Council:-
Acknowledges the continuing public concerns with Personal Water Crafts in relation to safety of swimmers and adherence to boating regulations along the city’s foreshore, Including adjoining St Kilda Pier, Penguin colony and Harbour.
Encourages the public (and Council staff) to call "000" if you see dangerous or life threatening behaviours.
Requests the Mayor to write to the Ministers for Environment and Outdoor Recreation to advocate for:
- Increased and targeted education of personal Water Craft (PWC) or Jet Ski licence holders;
- Increased patrols and enforcement of the State's waterway regulation at Elwood, St Kilda, Middle Park, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne and Sandridge Beaches
- The exclusion of Personal Watercrafts (PWC) or Jet skis within 200 metres adjoining City of Port Phillip beaches, St Kilda Pier and harbour to improve safety.
Requests the Chief Executive Officer, write to the Commissioner of Police to advocate for more proactive enforcement of boating regulations across local beaches in Port Phillip over summer.
Requests officers make a submission to the proposed waterway rule changes at St Kilda, being managed by Parks Victoria, consistent with the above requests.
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously
Councillor Jay reported that they attended the Walk Against Family Violence run by Respect Victoria which was attended by 20,000 people. Councillor Jay thanked staff who attended and commended organisers of the event.
Councillor Halliday reported that they attended the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and NetZero Academy’s Climate Risk and Opportunity for Councillors training which was attended by nine Councillors from a diverse range of Local Government areas, and explored different climate risks that different Council areas may face.
Mayor Makin reported that they attended the opening of the Sol Green Reserve playground equipment, as well as the 30th Anniversary of the Gandel Centre of Judaica and congratulated the Jewish Museum on the milestone.
Councillor Thomann reported that they had the pleasure of opening Seekers Way, a laneway in St Kilda that was recently renamed to honour The Seekers.
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 Eildon Road Childcare Centre - Appointment of Builder
3(1)(a) Council business information, being information that would prejudice the Council's position in commercial negotiations if prematurely released
3(1)(f) personal information, being information which if released would result in the unreasonable disclosure of information about any person or their personal affairs
3(1)(g(i)) private commercial information, being information provided by a business, commercial or financial undertaking that relates to trade secrets
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: Contains commercially confidential information that would undermine the competitive position of tenderers, and City of Port Phillip's commercial position for this and future similar competitive market processes. Contains names of Panel members. Contains personal information
A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.
The meeting closed to members of the public at 9:29 pm
The meeting reopened to members of the public at 9:40 pm
As there was no further business the meeting closed at 9:40 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.