June 2025 Council meetings
Hobsons Bay
By Josie Vine
And there was your correspondent, thinking this month’s Hobsons Bay coverage would be nothing more than a story on the introduction of a Plaque and Commemorative Events Policy.
But just towards the end of the meeting – when we were, admittedly, all feeling a little tired and emotional – Williamstown Ward’s Cr Lisa Bentley tabled a matter of urgent business.
The wording of Cr Bentley’s Urgent Business was somewhat confused, but you could get the gist:
“That the issue of crime in Hobsons Bay relates to or arises out of a matter which has arisen since distribution of the agenda and cannot safely or conveniently be deferred until the next council meeting.”
Cr Bentley then proceeded to elaborate, alluding to the machete attack in Altona Meadows last month.
“I am calling on council and fellow councillors to advocate for more public safety action in Hobsons Bay considering some horrific crime that has gone on recently and has been in the press,” she said.
“I just want to say, I’m a third generation Williamstown resident, I’ve lived in every single suburb in Hobsons Bay and I feel that we are at a crisis point.”
But the vote to admit the item as Urgent Business was voted down three votes to four, which prompted an outburst from Cr Bentley:
“Shame, shame, shame on all of you,” she said, and closed her laptop as if to leave.
But Cr Diana Grima, suffering from a sore throat, said she was putting up her hand to ask a question about the tabled motion, as opposed to voting.
“I’m sorry, but I’ve lost my voice,” she said.
Cr Grima said she “recognised” the issue and asked where the statistics – which apparently accompanied the motion, but were not disclosed in the meeting – had been sourced.
But interim CEO, Kerry Thompson, said Cr Grima’s question was “not appropriate” for an item of Urgent Business under the Hobsons Bay governance rules.
Mayor Cr Daria Kellander paused the meeting to seek clarification from governance officers.
The recording was paused also.
What followed was a collective-noun-of-councillors huddled together at the top of the meeting table, murmuring a path through the impasse, interspersed by comments of outrage.
Council was reconvened after five minutes, and the Urgent Business was not mentioned again.
The whole kerfuffle somewhat overshadowed other news, including the review of all off-leash dog walking areas under the draft Domestic Animals Management Plan (quite appropriately referred to as DAMP).
And with a municipality full of doggie families – there are more than 14,000 pets registered Hobsons Bay – this may prove to be of some concern.
The DAMP has already undergone one round of community consultation, and the amended document is about to go out for round two.
Some of the issues rising from the first round include dangerous dogs, off-leash dogs, barking dogs, and rule enforcement in parks.
And cats copped it too, with concerns raised about roaming and stray cats, the need for a cat curfew, harm to wildlife, and un-desexed cats.
In response, council proposed to introduce new processes for dealing with barking dogs, a cat curfew, a low-cost desexing program, and a review of off-leash areas.
Cr Paddy Keys-Macpherson said the current off-leash dog area regulations were “inconsistent” and needed review.
“We have a number of off-leash dog areas across the municipality and these have grown up over time,” he said. “I’m really excited over the next couple of years to see that review happen and potentially a bit more of a strategic direction.”
Cr Keys-Macpherson said the off-leash dog areas review was “very close” to his “heart”.
Almost 900 public submissions were made in the first round of consultation.
The DAMP also proposes microchip implanter training for animal management officers and free registration for puppies and kittens.
The DAMP will be out for community consultation from August 4 – 29 at https://participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/domestic-animal-management-plan-damp.
Brimbank Council
By Josie Vine
Well Brimbank Council’s gunna get its report card sent straight to the state government it seems. In other words, Local Government minister Nick Staikos will get to see the municipal monitor report on council’s governance improvements before the community will.
After 17 months of trailing councillors, Municipal Monitors Janet Dore and Penelope Holloway have completed their $144,000 report on how Brimbank can “improve governance practices”.
Mses Dore and Holloway knocked off last June.
The initial appointment of the monitors came after a torrid era at Brimbank, which included one councillor storming out of a meeting.
In their interim report in December, the monitors found that Brimbank had “made progress” in “improving” its governance structures, but work was “still required” to “support” council.
“The council will benefit from ongoing support through the induction period, including Council Plan and Budget processes to solidify good governance measures at the council for the new term,” then local government minister Melissa Horne said.
At the last council meeting, Cr Thuy Dang said monitors were currently providing Brimbank’s report “directly” to the minister for “review”, after which it would be published on the local government Victoria website.
And in other news …
If you wanna have a say in Council activity over the next four years, now is the time.
Council has endorsed its draft “We are Brimbank” community vision strategy document.
Almost 500 people have already shared their input during the first phase of community consultation.
The document outlines what it will be spending your money on around issues such as the economy, housing, health and well-being, climate change and inclusivity.
Cr Dang said council was “excited” to present the draft strategy.
“Brimbank is positioned to become a vibrant gateway to the West, connecting people and culture and opportunity,” she said. “This plan highlights our commitment to building a united, healthy and a great place to live, work and play.”
Cr Maria Kerr said the document was a “big deal”.
“The vision is bold and hopeful,” she said. “A healthy, connected and proud Brimbank where everyone belongs and has opportunities.”
The document will be open for your input until August 14.
https://yoursay.brimbank.vic.gov.au/
Maribyrnong Council
By Ruby Fox
Despite the extensive duration of this month’s council meeting only two topics dominated proceedings; the proposed lease of the Bulldogs Community Children’S Centre in Hosking St, and the implementation of security guards in Footscrays CBD.
The leasing arrangements for the Bulldogs Community Children Centre has been changed from a non-profit community model to a for-profit model. Parents are concerned this will lead to a loss of community-focused priorities, less transparency within the institution, staffing reductions, a threat to community heritage, and an increase in fees.
When asked by a member of the public if council can guarantee that rates won’t increase, council’s Director of Customer and Corporate Services Lucas Gosling said that Council can’t prescribe childcare rates but has indicated that “any increase regardless of the life of the lease must be at minimal level and within line with industry standards”.
There was definitely some debate within the chamber about this. Cr Cuc Lam said that “from the start our goal has been to listen carefully to the community”, “ensure all perspectives are considered” and “consider the best options for our future”.
Councillor Bernedette Thomas said she felt a sense of “deja vu”, and that if “councillors had anticipated the community response and voted for the motion that [she] moved at the June meeting, which contained keeping the not for profit clause, removing the first right of refusal clause and a five year lease term, we wouldn’t again be here talking about the issue and the community would have avoided a month of stress, uncertainty and anguish”.
Mayor Pradeep Tiwari however, disagreed with Cr Thomas. “At that time, the council simply did not have the necessary data or clarity to make a decision” he said.
To summarise, Council acknowledges strong community interest and opposition to the proposed new arrangement. In response, it has decided to terminate the current community engagement process and not proceed with the lease in its current form. Council has asked the CEO to inform all submitters and the Western Bulldogs of this decision, and to provide a new report in 2025 outlining all the lease options, including a not-for-profit requirement and removing the first right of refusal clause.
There were similar concerns and lots of argy bargy between councillors about the potential employment of private security guards in Footscray’s CBD.
Council has proposed a six-month security program involving private security working alongside local laws. Council will seek culturally appropriate providers with strong community engagement experience and will consult traders, legal and community organisations, and health providers. Evaluation will include safety perception surveys and feedback. A final report will outline next steps and integration with other services. Council will also seek state updates on mental health clinic timelines and social worker initiatives.
However many people fear that private security guards are ill-equipped to deal appropriately with people experiencing mental health issues, and might increase risks of racial profiling and “physical confrontations”.
Council’s Director of Planning and Environment Services, Mike McIntosh assured the public gallery that “the proposed [security] trial will not create new enforcement powers, but would provide additional support for councillors in high risk situations. This operational measure would sit alongside broader coordination work with service providers and advocacy for a system wide reform.”
However, another person asked “what measures will be put in place to monitor the inevitable misconduct by private security guards?”
McIntosh again reassured listeners, claiming “security personnel would operate within defined roles and be subject to council direction without any expanded powers”.
Cr Bernadette Thomas said that while Footscray Traders have very real concerns about safety which Council does need to respond to, she said that “a security first approach would not integrate with all the other activities the council has been implementing”.
“Council is working on introducing a range of measures that include safety for all, supporting people who need additional help with things like housing, employment, mental health and physical health and poverty.”
“Now more than ever people need early intervention and prevention services for health, mental health, financial counseling, social work, legal health and more”.
Cr Elena Preyera agreed and said that while security will hopefully improve people’s safety, “complex systemic issues that can’t be solved by a security guard alone”.
“If we’re serious about community wellbeing then that response has to come with a clear health and community first framework, not in place of one. People need to be listened to and not just watched and moved on. Safety is not just about presence. It’s about support, dignity, trust and investment in people. Let’s make sure that our response reflects that” said Cr Preyera.
However Mayor Tiwari disagreed saying that the issue had already undergone extensive community engagement and consultation over many months and that further community consultation is not necessary.
“The concerns of the community have been consistent and clear […] they do not feel safe. They need outreach and security to protect staff, their community, their families, customers and the community.”
“It is not about a policing operation and it is not about targeting any one group. It’s about creating a safe welcoming environment for all”.
Councillor Mohamed Semra supported the Mayor stating that “Residents overwhelmingly wanted the council to take the initiative”.
After much to and froing over the wording of the motion, or whether entire sections should be removed, Council CEO Celia Hoddock finally shut down conversation saying that Councillors “were very close to breaching [their] own governance laws” and urged “the mayor to put the motion to a vote”.
The motion was eventually carried.
Wyndham Council
By Jack Sutton
The lengthy antics from May’s Wyndham meeting gave locals a sense of anticipation for the July instalment. But only three people, one being the security guard on duty, were present in the gallery to watch this comparatively quick meeting, which ran for a little over 90 minutes.
The new Woodville Place Plan, which includes upgrades for public spaces and overall safety standards for younger people, was the first talking point. In what set the mood for the rest of the night, there was agreement across the board with many voicing how pleased they were with the plan, and why it’s ‘needed’ to make Woodville a thriving community.
Another positive for the Wyndham Community was the Active Revitalisation Program. Cr Shannon McGuire, a big advocate for this, said “there are so many great initiatives in here” and the primary focus is to improve sporting facilities for the kids. Cr Jennie Barrera emphasised how a “sense of belonging and community” is crucial to the social connections children may form at a young age.
The Wyndham City Council have a meeting with the MAV (Municipal Association of Victoria) in October of this year, and they will be putting forward four important motions; restoring 50/50 funding for school crossing supervisors, developing a state-wide AI framework for local government, increase funding for weather-proof bus shelters, and creating a new grant program for aquatic centres.
Each councillor spoke a little bit about each of these with the hope that all motions will be carried.
The Child Safety Well-Being and Reportable Conduct policy struck a chord with all the councillors as many are parents. Cr Barrera wants “clear and proactive commitment to child and young adult safety”. Some members of the public assumed the policy was in response to the recent arrest of a Point Cook man charged with sexual offences alleged to have occurred at dozens childcare centres in the West, involving hundreds of children.
Cr Susan McIntyre wanted to clear the air, and pointed out that the policy was being developed well before the arrests, and that child safety remains at the forefront of the councillors mind.
