Council Meeting Snapshot - Wednesday 25 March 2026

Published on 25 March 2026

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To keep our community up to date with key Council decisions, outcomes and plans; here is a snapshot summary from Council’s Wednesday 25 March Council Meeting.

Planning and Development

10.1 Planning Scheme Review

Council endorsed the Baw Baw Planning Scheme Review 2025 report and authorised officers to provide a copy of the report to the Minister for Planning in accordance with Section 12B(5) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Council authorised officers to;

  • request authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare and exhibit Amendment C157bawb to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme, in accordance with Section 16F of the Planning and Environment Act 1987;
  • prepare Amendment C157bawb to the Baw Baw Planning Scheme to implement the recommendations of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme Review 2025, generally in accordance with the documentation provided in attachments to the report, subject to Ministerial Authorisation; and,
  • place Amendment C157bawb on public exhibition in accordance with the requirements of section 19 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, subject to Ministerial Authorisation.

10.2 Planning Scheme Amendment C156 - Yarragon Township Plan & Urban Design Framework

Council moved an alternate motion to defer Council's consideration of Planning Scheme Amendment C156 - Yarragon Township Plan & Urban Design Framework for two months to no later than the May 2026 Council Meeting.

10.3 PLA0146/25 - 65 Princes Highway, Warragul

Council moved to issue a Notice of Decision to Grant a Planning Permit PLA0146/25, subject to conditions.

Council authorised the Manager Planning and the Coordinator Statutory Planning to instruct Council's planners or advocates in any review proceedings and mediation under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, provided that any proposed amendments do not alter Council's decision or introduce significant changes to the proposal.

10.4 PLA0131/25 - 27 Boronia Rise, Trafalgar East

Council moved to form a position of Refusal to Grant a Permit for Planning Permit Application PLA0131/25, on the following grounds:

a. The proposed subdivision layout is inconsistent with the character of the surrounding area. Similarly, the proposal seeks to intensify residential use/development in location where this is strategically discouraged.

These outcomes are inconsistent with the policies, objectives and strategies of the following provisions of the Baw Baw Planning Scheme:
i. Clause 02.03-1 - Settlement and Housing
ii. Clause 11.01-1S - Settlement
iii. Clause 11.01.1L-01 - Growth in Baw Baw
iv. Clause 11.01.1L-3 - Secondary Towns - Moderate Growth
v. Clause 15.01-3S - Subdivision Neighbourhoods
vi. Clause 15.01-4S - Healthy Neighbourhoods
vii. Clause 15.01-5S - Neighbourhood Character
viii. The Trafalgar Structure Plan (Baw Baw Shire Council, 2025).

b. The proposal is inconsistent with the purpose of the Low Density Residential Zone (that seeks to provide low-density residential development), insofar as it seeks to create a lot substantially smaller than the prevailing subdivision pattern of the area. This would result in future development that is inconsistent with the existing desired low-density residential character.

c. The proposal does not respond to the considerations within Clause 65 (Decision Guidelines), as the proposal:

i. Does not implement the Municipal Planning Strategy or Planning Policy Framework.
ii. Does not represent orderly planning of the area. 

d. The proposal does not respond to Section 60(1A)(i) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, as (if completed) the subdivision would be in breach of Section 173 Agreement V660853L.

2. Council authorised the Manager Planning and the Coordinator Statutory Planning to instruct Council's planners or advocates in VCAT review proceedings (P55/2025) and mediation under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 provided that any proposed amendments do not alter Council's decision or introduce significant changes to the proposal.

Economic Development, Grants and Advocacy

12.1. Advocacy Priorities 2026

Council endorsed the following six Advocacy Priorities for 2026:

  • Business Attraction
  • Paths & Trails
  • Increase to Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants and Roads to Recovery Funding
  • Formal Recognition of Peri-Urban Status
  • Upgrades to Major Shire Intersections (Burke & Howitt Street, Warragul, Princes Way & Wellwood Road, Drouin, and Weebar Road, Drouin)
  • Sports Infrastructure Funding and Policy Reforms. 

Governance and Information Services

15.1 General Business Motion Update - Viability of purchasing the Longwarry Recreation Reserve

Council noted the report in accordance with the General Business Motion tabled at the 4 December 2024 Council Meeting by Councillor Jess Hamilton.

Council moved to;

  • Write to the Hon. Steve Dimopoulos Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events and Minister for Outdoor Recreation and local Member for Narracan, Wayne Farnham MP, requesting a meeting to discuss the gifting and/or sale of Longwarry Recreation Reserve to Council;
  • Request officers continue to advocate for either the gifting or sale of Longwarry Recreation Reserve with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA);
  • Prepare a report on governance models and long-term maintenance impacts for Council consideration no later than 25 November 2026;
  • Request Officers consider and make recommendations to Council on longer-term advocacy options, including joint advocacy with other Victorian Council's; and,
  • Receive bi-annual updates on progress as part of the Governance Report presented at each Council meeting.

15.2 Revised Customer Service Charter and Complaints Handling Policy

Council endorsed the revised Customer Service Charter and Complaints Handling Policy for community consultation, and moved to place the revised Customer Service Charter and Complaints Handling Policy on exhibition for community consultation and feedback from 26 March 2026 to 22 April 2026.

15.3 Governance Report March 2026

Council noted the March 2026 Governance Report.

1. In the exercise of the powers conferred by the legislation referred to in the Instrument of Delegation, resolved that:

a) There be delegated to the members of Council staff holding, acting in or performing the duties of the offices or positions referred to in the attached Instrument of Delegation to Members of Council Staff, the powers, duties and functions set out in that instrument, subject to the conditions and limitations specified in that Instrument;
b) The instrument comes into force immediately upon this resolution being made and is to be signed by the Council’s Chief Executive Officer and the Mayor;
c) On the coming into force of the instrument, all previous delegations to Members of Council staff made under the S6 Instrument of Delegation are revoked; and,
d) The duties and functions set out in the instrument must be performed, and the powers set out in the instrument must be executed, in accordance with any guidelines or policies of Council that it may from time to time adopt; and,

2. In exercise of the power conferred by s437(2) of the Environmental Protection Act 2017 and the Instrument of Delegation of the Environment Protection Authority under the Environmental Protection Act 2017 dated 4 June 2021, resolve that:

a) There be delegated to the members of Council staff holding, acting in or performing the duties of the offices or positions referred to in the attached S18 Baw Baw Shire Council Council Meeting - 25 March 2026 Instrument of Delegation to Members of Council Staff, the powers, duties and functions set out in that instrument, subject to the conditions and limitations specified in that Instrument;
b) The instrument comes into force immediately upon this resolution being made and is to be signed by the Council’s Interim Chief Executive Officer and the Mayor;
c) On the coming into force of the instrument, all previous delegations to Members of Council staff under the S18 Instrument of Delegation are revoked; and,
d) The duties and functions set out in the instrument must be performed, and the powers set out in the instrument must be executed, in accordance with any guidelines or policies of Council that it may from time to time adopt; and,

3. Noted the Environmental Voice and Arts and Culture Advisory Committee meeting minutes;

4. Endorsed Cr Jess Hamilton to attend the 29 May 2026 MAV State Council as Baw Baw Shire Council's Delegate; and,

5. Noted the Assembly of Councillor records for 19 February to 18 March 2026.

General Business

Council then closed the meeting to the public to consider four items considered confidential under the Local Government Act 2020. 

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

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.

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