Council Meeting Snapshot - Wednesday 22 October 2025

Published on 22 October 2025

To keep our community up to date with key Council decisions, outcomes and plans; here is a snapshot summary from Council’s Wednesday 22 October Council Meeting.

Planning and Development

Significant Tree Register

• Authorise officers to seek authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare a Planning Scheme Amendment, under Section 8A(4)(a) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (the Act) to implement the recommendations of the Baw Baw Significant Tree Register project into the Baw Baw Planning Scheme;
• Authorise officers to prepare the amendment generally in accordance with the Significant Tree Study report and Significant Tree Register with changes;
• Authorise officers to exhibit the amendment in accordance with Section 19 of the Act.

PLA0017/25 - 8 Curwen Road, Mountain View

Council moved to issue a Notice of Decision to Refuse to Grant a Permit for the land located at V 11693 F 437 Lot 3 TP 960587T Poowong East Parish, V 11626 F 790 Lot 8 Poowong East Parish, and V 11903, F 611 Lot 1 on PS 748008M Poowong East Parish be issued under the Baw Baw Shire Planning Scheme to allow the use and development of the land for a camping and caravan park and associated outbuilding subject to the following grounds:

a. The proposed use and development is contrary to the objectives and strategies of the Municipal Planning Strategy and the Planning Policy Framework, in particular Clauses 14.01-1 and 14.01-1R as it does not protect agricultural land and its productive capacity, will lead to fragmentation of productive farming land, and is likely to result in land use conflicts between agricultural and sensitive uses;

b. The proposed use and development is not consistent with Clause 15.01- 6S Design for rural areas and Clause 15.01-6L Design for Baw Baw’s rural areas as the proposed development does not protect and enhance the rural character and is located in a prominent position on a ridgeline; and,

c. The proposed use and development is contrary to the purpose and decision guidelines of Clause 35.07 (Farming Zone) as it does not protect or support the use of land for productive agriculture. The camping and caravan park represents a non-agricultural use that does not enhance or relate to agriculture and has the potential to introduce land use conflicts with surrounding agricultural operations and limit their expansion.

Community Infrastructure

Presentation of the Asset Plan, Policy, and Strategy

Council adopted;

• The Asset Plan (2025/26-34/35) in accordance with Section 92 of the Local Government Act 2020;
• The Asset Management Policy (2025); and,
• The Asset Management Strategy (2025/26-29/30).

Presentation of the Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2025-35

Council adopted the Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2025/26 - 2034/35.

Award of Contract CT000083 - Western Park Oval 2 - New Pavilion

Council awarded Contract CT000083 Pavilion & Shed Construction - Western Park Oval 2, Warragul to Allchin Commercial Pty Ltd (ABN: 36 632 479 102) for the total lump sum of $1,804,170.00 excl. GST.

Council moved to;

• Note that the grant of $1,000,000 through the State Government Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund (RCSIF) has been made available for the pavilion and shed construction at Western Park Oval 2;
• Note the annual maintenance costs for the new pavilion facility are estimated at a cost of around $18,000 excluding GST per annum, and as such will require necessary adjustment in 2026/27 operating budget for the Facilities management;
• Authorise the Interim Chief Executive Officer to sign the Contract;
• Delegate approval of contract variations to the Chief Executive Officer as per the project budget and in compliance with Council's Procurement Policy; and,
• Resolve that attachments 3 and 4 to the report be retained confidential on the grounds that they contain 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, pursuant to the Local Government Act 2020 s3(1)(g).

Review of Road Management Plan including the Register of Public Roads

Council moved an alternate motion to:

• Note the written submissions received and the petition relating to the proposed changes to the service standards for Walhalla Road;
• Note the response to the petition tabled at the 27 August 2025 Council Meeting;
• Advise the lead petitioner of Council's decision;
• Adopt the Road Management Plan (Version 8) in accordance with the Road Management Act 2004;
• Adopt the Footpath Register;
• Adopt the Register of Public Roads Policy and Procedure;
• Adopt the Register of Public Roads in accordance with the Register of Public Roads Policy and Procedure, noting the removal of Walhalla Road as a Limited Access/Major Track, as it does not meet Council policy criteria for inclusion on the Register of Public Roads, being predominantly used for recreational purposes; and,
• Support officers to continue to advocate for DEECA to assume the maintenance responsibility of Walhalla Road.

Economic Development, Grants and Advocacy

Annual Report for the Financial Year ended 30 June 2025

Baw Baw Shire Council's Council Meetings are open to the public and are held at the West Gippsland Arts Centre.

In June 2025, Council revised the Council Meeting schedule for the remainder of the year. Council Meeting dates can be viewed here.

All Council meetings will be live-streamed, and archived recordings will be available on the Council website for viewing.

The agenda for the next meeting will be available online on the Friday prior to the meeting.