Council Meeting Snapshot - Wednesday 27 May 2026

Published on 27 May 2026

To keep our community up to date with key Council decisions, outcomes and plans; here is a snapshot summary from Council’s Wednesday 27 May Council Meeting.

Planning and Development

10.1 PLA0145/25 - Blossom Retreat & Whistle Place, Neerim South

Council moved an alternate motion to defer the item to the June 2026 Council Meeting.

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

Council moved an alternate motion to:

• Authorise officers to seek authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare a Planning Scheme Amendment, under Section 16F of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 (the Act) to implement the Yarragon Township Plan (SMEC, 2023) and Yarragon Urban Design Framework Plan (BBSC, 2023) into the Baw Baw Planning Scheme;
• Authorise officers to prepare the amendment generally in accordance with the recommendations and attachments to the report;
• Authorise officers to exhibit the amendment in accordance with Section 19 of the Act.

Economic Development, Grants and Advocacy

12.1 Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategy 2026 - 2030

Council noted the submissions received from the community consultation process and moved to endorse the Economic Development and Visitor Economy Strategy 2026-2030.

Strategy and Organisational Performance

13.1 Payment of Rates and Charges - Hardship Policy 

Council adopted the Payment of Rates and Charges - Hardship Policy. 

Chief Executive Office

14.1 Draft Community Engagement Policy

Council endorsed the draft Community Engagement Policy and moved to place the draft Community Engagement Policy on exhibition from 1 June to 22 June 2026 for community feedback.

Governance and Information Services

15.1 Draft Governance Rules

Council endorsed the draft Governance Rules and moved to place the draft Governance Rules on exhibition from 28 May to 19 June 2026 for community feedback.

15.2 Governance Report May 2026

Council noted the following;

• May 2026 Governance Report;
• In the exercise of the powers conferred by section 147 (4) of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, section 224 of the Local Government Act 1989 and section 313 of the Local Government Act 2020, resolve that:
   a. The members of Council staff referred to in the instrument be appointed and authorised as set out in the instrument;
  b. The instrument comes into force immediately after the common seal of Council is affixed to the instrument, and remains in force until Council determines to vary or revoke it; and,
  c. In accordance with Council's Governance Rules, the instrument be signed and sealed.
• The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee meeting minutes of 28 April 2026 and the Place Names Advisory Committee meeting minutes of 19 May 2026; and,
• The assembly of Councillor records for 16 April to 20 May 2026.

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.