Council Meeting Snapshot - Wednesday 9 July 2025

Published on 09 July 2025

To keep our community up to date with key Council decisions, outcomes and plans; here is a snapshot summary from Council’s Wednesday 9 July Council Meeting.

Petitions

LGBTIQA + Advisory Committee

Council received and noted a petition with 19 signatories regarding a request for the establishment of a LGBTQIA+ advisory committee.

Community Infrastructure

Review and Update of Road Management Plan including Register of Public Roads

Council moved to;

Accept the outcome of the review and advertise the amended Road Management Plan (Version 8) to invite public submissions in accordance with section 54 of the Road Management Act 2004;
Accept the proposed additions and deductions to Council's Register of Public Roads in accordance with the draft Register of Public Roads Policy and Procedure and invite public submissions on both documents, together with the amended Road Management Plan (Version 8);
Noted that a further report will be presented to Council summarising the public comments following the conclusion of the advertising period.

Presentation of the Draft Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2025/26-2034/35 for exhibition

Council endorsed the draft Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2025/26-2034/35, and, moved to place the draft Long Term Infrastructure Plan 2025/26-2034/35 on exhibition for community consultation and feedback from 10 July 2025 to 3 August 2025.

Presentation of the Asset Policy, Strategy & Asset Plan Draft for Exhibition

Council endorsed the draft Asset Management Policy, Draft Asset Strategy and Draft Asset Plan to proceed to Public exhibition, and, moved to place the Draft Documents on exhibition for community consultation and feedback from 10 July 2025 to 3 August 2025.

Economic Development, Grants and Advocacy

Baw Baw Culture and Connection Precinct (BBCCP) - Operational Models

Council moved to;

Note the consultation and development that has occurred to date for the proposed operational models for the Baw Baw Culture and Connection Library and Learning Centre;
Endorse the Alternative Operational Model – Myli’s Proposal - as the operational model for the Baw Baw Culture and Connection Library and Learning Centre;
Delegate authority to the Chief Executive Officer to negotiate and execute a legal agreement between Baw Baw Shire Council and Myli – My Community Library Ltd (‘Myli’) for the operational model services within the following parameters;

a. the agreement be for a fixed term with extension options; and

b. the agreement requires Myli to develop and maintain comprehensive Transition-In and Transition-Out Plans to support the effective commencement and cessation of operational services.

Note that the ‘operations agreement’ outlined in recommendation 3 is a separate and discrete agreement from the pre-existing Library Services Agreement that exists between Council and Myli; and that in the case of any termination of the ‘operations agreement’ at any future time, Council’s Library Services would continue to run as usual under the Library Services Agreement.

Strategy and Organisational Performance

Presentation of the Draft Finance Plan 2025/26 - 2034/35 for exhibition

Council endorsed the Draft Financial Plan 2025/26 - 2034/35 to proceed to public exhibition; and, moved to Place the Draft Financial Plan 2025/26 - 2034/35 on exhibition for community consultation and feedback from 10 July 2025 to 3 August 2025.

Governance and Information Services

Governance Report 9 July 2025

Council noted the;

Governance Report 9 July 2025;
Victorian Electoral Commission report titled ‘Election Report – Baw Baw Shire Council, 2024 Local Government Elections' and,
3% increase to allowances for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors, effective from 1 July 2025, in line with the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal's Annual Adjustment Determination 2025.

Public Transparency Policy - Post Consultation

Council adopted the revised Public Transparency Policy and noted;

The feedback received on the Draft Public Transparency Policy and changes made in accordance with this feedback;
That the Public Transparency Policy has been reviewed in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020;
That a further review of the Public Transparency Policy will take place following the release of the Model Public Transparency Policy from Local Government Victoria.

Audit and Risk Committee Chair Report

Council noted the biannual Audit and Risk Committee Chair Report.

General Business

CEO General Business Item - Deferral of Aberfeldy Petition Response

Council unanimously moved a CEO General Business Motion defer the report in response to the petition titled ‘Keep High Street Aberfeldy Bitumen’ tabled at the 14 May 2025 Council Meeting, to the 27 August 2025 Council Meeting.

Bereavement Motion

Cr Goss moved a bereavement motion requesting that Council extend its sincere condolences to the family of Brian Davies on his recent passing and write a letter of condolence on behalf of Council to his family.

Council is saddened to hear of the passing of Brian Davies and acknowledges his extensive service to the community as a Shire of Warragul and Rural City of Warragul Councillor from 1986 to 1995, including his terms as Mayor in 1990 and 1994.

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 the Friday prior to the meeting.