Council meeting catchup - 7 May 2025

PURPOSE

1.1
To provide Councillors with an update on the Smith Street streetscape upgrade project, located in Fishermans Bend and seek approval on the design of Stage 1 of the project and note the changes to truck movements.

MOVED Crs Halliday/Buckingham

Councillor Halliday moved an alternate motion to the officers recommendation to amend part 3.2 to ‘Option 1’.

That Council:

3.1 Endorses the staged delivery of Smith Street, with Stage 1 identified as an immediate priority to delivery upgrade works along the school frontage.

3.2 Endorses Option 1.

3.3 Advocates to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) for priority delivery of the planned nearby intersections along Williamstown Road (as detailed in item 4.11 of the report).

3.4 Notes the community engagement undertaken and that community feedback has informed both the concept design and delivery approach.

3.5 Notes changes to truck movements will be required on Smith Street including time restrictions.

Cr Halliday requested for the vote to be taken under DIVISION.

FOR: Crs Makin, Halliday and Buckingham

AGAINST: Crs Jay, Hardy, Mears, Cunsolo, Crawford and Thomann

The MOTION was LOST.

Councillor Makin foreshadowed an alternate motion in the event that the previous motion failed to amend part 3.2 of the motion to ‘option 2B’ and amend as indicated in bold.

MOVED Crs Makin/Cunsolo

That Council:

3.1 Endorses the staged delivery of Smith Street, with Stage 1 identified as an immediate priority to deliver upgrade works along the school frontage.

3.2 Endorses the Option 2B concept design for Stage 1, which retains two-way access along Smith Street, and includes a new footpath, linear park, and pick up drop off zone including new kerb on the eastern side and safer crossing across Smith Street to connect to the new traffic lights. It also includes a shared (bike/pedestrian) path on the western side.

3.3 Advocates to the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) for priority delivery of the planned nearby intersections along Williamstown Road, including Salmon Street, Prohasky Street, Beacon Road and Graham Street

3.4 Notes the community engagement undertaken and that community feedback has informed both the concept design and delivery approach.

3.5 Notes changes to truck movements will be required on Smith Street including time restrictions.

Cr Halliday requested for the vote to be taken under DIVISION.

FOR: Crs Jay, Hardy, Makin, Mears, Halliday, Cunsolo, Crawford, Buckingham and Thomann

AGAINST: Nil

The MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

The Mayor adjourned the meeting for a break at 8.01pm.
The meeting resumed at 8.11 pm.

PURPOSE
1.1
To seek endorsement of the Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 to proceed to community consultation.
The following question was taken on notice during discussion of the item:

Councillor Halliday: We collect registration fees from our dog owners, but we also conversely employ Animal Management and Local Laws officers, and supply dog off leash parks etc. Do we have an idea of what our outlay is annually of supporting our dog community compared to the revenue generated from dog registrations.
Nellie Montague, Manager Safety and Amenity took the question on notice.

MOVED Crs Makin/Cunsolo

Councillor Halliday moved an alternate motion to the officers recommendation to amend part 3.4 to request officers investigate options for a dog waste bag trial.

That Council:
3.1 Endorses the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 to be released for community consultation.

3.2 Notes that consultation on the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 will occur in May 2025, and that feedback will be considered prior to finalising the Plan.

3.3 Notes that findings from consultation will inform the final version of the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 which will be presented to Council for adoption in August 2025.

3.4 Notes the Council resolution of 21 August 2024 to understand costs, scope and time frames for a trial of the provision of environmentally- appropriate dog waste bags and identifies suitable trial locations based on community feedback through the Domestic Animal Management Plan.

AMENDMENT
Councillor Thomann moved an amendment to amend part 3.4 of the motion as indicated in bold:

Moved Crs Thomann/Halliday

3.4 Notes the Council resolution of 21 August 2024 to understand costs, scope and time frames for a trial of the provision of environmentally-appropriate dog waste bags and identifies suitable trial locations based on community involvement through the Domestic Animal Management Plan.

A vote was taken and the AMENDMENT was CARRIED.
The AMENDMENT became the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION.

That Council:

3.1 Endorses the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 to be released for community consultation.

3.2 Notes that consultation on the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 will occur in May 2025, and that feedback will be considered prior to finalising the Plan.

3.3 Notes that findings from consultation will inform the final version of the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 which will be presented to Council for adoption in August 2025.

3.4 Notes the Council resolution of 21 August 2024 to understand costs, scope and time frames for a trial of the provision of environmentally- appropriate dog waste bags and identifies suitable trial locations based on community involvement through the Domestic Animal Management Plan.

Cr Halliday requested the vote be taken under a DIVISION.

FOR: Crs Jay, Hardy, Makin, Mears, Halliday, Cunsolo, Crawford, Buckingham and Thomann

AGAINST: Nil

A vote was taken and the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

PURPOSE

1.1 To present Council’s updated Road Management Plan (the ‘draft RMP’) to Councillors.

1.2 To seek approval for the draft Road Management Plan to proceed to community engagement ahead of being considered for adoption in July 2025.

MOVED Crs Halliday/Jay

That Council:

3.1 Notes that in accordance with Division 1, Regulation 8, of Part 3 of the Road Management (General) Regulations 2016 (Vic), officers have reviewed the Road Management Plan 2021.

3.2 Approves the draft Road Management Plan 2025 for community engagement.

3.3 Acting under Division 1, Regulation 9, of Part 3 of the Road Management (General) Regulations 2016 (Vic):

3.3.1 Resolves that the statutory procedures be commenced to give public notice of Port Phillip’s review and proposed amendment of its Road Management Plan 2021;

3.3.2 Directs that public notice of the Road Management Plan 2021 review be published in the Government Gazette and The Age newspaper, inviting submissions to Port Phillip as the road authority within a period not less than 28 days; and

3.3.3 Resolves to hear and consider any submissions received from persons aggrieved by the proposed amendment.

Cr Halliday requested the vote be taken under DIVISION.

FOR: Crs Jay, Hardy, Makin, Mears, Halliday, Cunsolo, Crawford, Buckingham and Thomann

AGAINST: Nil

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 This report seeks Council support of the approach of Melbourne Water (MW) regarding updated flood mapping and the adoption of that mapping into the Port Phillip Planning Scheme via a Planning Scheme Amendment.

• Option 1: Indicating support for the Melbourne Water approach and requesting the Minister for Planning utilises their discretion to consult broadly with stakeholders before deciding the ministerial amendment (recommended).

• Option 2: Propose an alternate approach where Council seeks to enter a partnership with Melbourne Water and leads our own planning scheme amendment. This was Melbourne Water’s previous approach.

• Option 3: Council can choose not to respond. MW’s letter did not specifically request a Council position and if we do not respond, MW will continue with their intended approach, engaging with Council as required.

MOVED Crs Halliday/Crawford

That Council:

3.1 Notes the officer report in relation to the proposed approach to Melbourne Water’s flood mapping update.

3.2 Endorses the proposed approach of Melbourne Water for the upcoming flood mapping update and resulting planning scheme amendment to the Port Phillip Planning Scheme.

3.3 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer (or their delegate) to prepare a response to the Managing Director of Melbourne Water that:

• Indicates support for the Melbourne Water approach and requests that the Minister for Planning consults broadly with stakeholders before making a decision on the ministerial amendment.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To present the Victorian Electoral Commission’s report on the 2024 City of Port Phillip general election.

MOVED Crs Thomann/Jay

That Council:

3.1 Receives and notes the report provided by the Victorian Electoral Commission on the 2024 City of Port Phillip Council general election at Attachment 1.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously

PURPOSE

1.1 To seek approval to extend the expiry date for 10 key documents, as detailed below.

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

Councillor Halliday: In relation to the Nature Strip and Street Gardening Guidelines. Why does this have a short time frame of only two years?
Robyn Borley Director Governance and Performance took the question on notice.

MOVED Crs Thomann/Halliday

3.1 Council approves an extension to the expiry dates of the following documents, to enable the renewal to happen concurrently with, or immediately following, the renewal of the ‘parent’ strategy:

3.1.1 Outdoor Sport Lighting Operating Guidelines to December 2027
3.1.2 Sport Surface Operating Guidelines to December 2027
3.1.3 Outdoor Trading (Dining) Policy to November 2026
3.1.4 Nature Strip and Street Gardening Guidelines to June 2026
3.1.5 Public Place CCTV Policy to November 2027.

3.2 Council approves an extension to the expiry dates of the following documents, to enable more time for councillor consideration:
3.2.1 Community Flagpole and Illumination Scheme (formerly Flagpole and Banner Scheme) to July 2025
3.2.2 Councillor Gift and Hospitality Policy to August 2025
3.2.3 Port Phillip City Collection Policy 2019 to May 2026

3.3 Council approves an extension to the expiry dates of the following documents, to enable more time for in-depth community consultation and engagement:
3.3.1 Footpath Trading Fee Policy to December 2025
3.3.2 Community Engagement Policy to December 2025.
3.4 Council notes that the above documents have undergone a desktop review by council officers and remain fit for purpose until the proposed extension date.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of this report is for Council to consider executing an Instrument of Appointment and Authorisation under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (Attachment 1).

MOVED Crs Thomann/Cunsolo

That Council:

3.1 In the exercise of the powers conferred by section 147(4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 Council resolves that:

3.1.1 The members of Council staff referred to in the Instrument of Appointment and Authorisation at Attachment 1 be appointed and authorised as set out in the Instrument.

3.1.2 The Instrument of Appointment and Authorisation comes into force immediately once the common seal of Council is affixed to the Instrument and remains in force until Council determines to vary or revoke it.

3.1.3 The previous Instruments of Appointment and Authorisation made under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, are revoked immediately after the common seal of Council is affixed to the Instrument of Appointment and Authorisation referred to in 3.1.2.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To report to Council written records of Informal Meetings of Councillors at the City of Port Phillip as required by the Governance Rules.

MOVED Crs Mears/Halliday

That Council:

3.1 Receives and notes the written records of Informal Meetings of Council (attached) as required by the City of Port Phillip Governance Rules.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

Councillor Makin reported as the Councillor delegate to the Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF) that the MTF has provided a submission to Infrastructure Victoria in relation to its 5-year update on the 30-year infrastructure plan. Its recommendation for Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne indicates support for the transport requirements for Fishermans Bend and across Port Phillip.

MOVED Crs Cunsolo/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 Infrastructure Civil Maintenance Contract Review

3(1)(e) legal privileged information, being information to which legal professional privilege or client legal privilege applies.

Reason: This report includes an assessment of contractual and legal options. Disclosure of this information may prejudice Council's ability to achieve a commercial outcome.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED.

The meeting closed to members of the public at 9:04pm.
The meeting reopened to members of the public at 9:13pm.
As there was no further business the meeting closed at 9.13pm.