November 2025 Council Meetings
Hobsons Bay City Council
By Josie Vine
You know what it’s like when you’re running late for a relatively important gig, right. Heart racing, palms sweating, teeth gritted, snapping at people who get in your way.
Well this is exactly how your correspondent felt when she found the Maidstone street level crossing closed for roadwork on the way to the last Hobson’s Bay council meeting.
And it was an important one – the voting in of a new mayor!!
Refusing to believe the first set of ‘Detour’ signs on Geelong Road, your correspondent set her jaw and doggedly steered up along Grieve Parade, only to find a second set of detour signs at the Maidstone street turn off.
Leaning on the horn and swearing at cars speeding past in Kororoit Creek Road’s right lane, your correspondent put her foot down and to try to merge onto the Prince’s Freeway. A bottle-neck – ARRRRGH!!
Spitting, swearing and glancing menacingly at the car clock that still shows pre-daylight savings time (it’s a very old car), your correspondent crawled along with the rest of the traffic until – LO! – a detour sign pointing a shining light through Laverton.
Straight up Central Avenue, along Queen’s Street, past the Basketball Centre, down Grieve Parade – bloody speed signs saying 60kmph – and right down Civic Parade.
And your correspondent got there with a minute to go.
No parks! A long way when you’re speed-walking. Security guards not at the door to let your correspondent in! Took ‘em a few mins (or was it only seconds?) to open the Civic Centre doors.
And that is why your correspondent arrived at the mayoral election only slightly sweating and spitting chips. Read on …
New Mayor
Hobsons Bay council went with experience over the vigour-of-youth when it voted in
Cr Diana Grima as the next mayor.
The public gallery was packed and included Cr Grima’s son who was celebrating a
birthday.
Crs Kristin Bishop and Paddy Keys Macpherson also nominated new-comer and former Deputy mayor, Cr Rayane Hawli, who campaigned on “big, positive changes” but missed the top-job by four votes to two.
Cr Michael Disbury nominated Cr Grima for the mayoral position and was seconded
by Cr Grima herself.
Cr Grima has served on council for five years, two of which she served as the deputy mayor, and has spent the past two decades working in the advocacy and community sector.
“I am humbled and deeply grateful to be given the opportunity to serve as mayor,” Cr Grima said. “I’ve explained to my colleagues that I want to be united and work really hard because it’s all for the community.”
“I see a great future for this city of Hobsons Bay and I’m excited to move forward with all of you, together.”
Cr Lisa Bentley was voted in as deputy mayor, by four votes to three, over Cr Keys-Macpherson.
Cr Bentley is a third generation Williamstown resident, who grew up in social housing.
“I learned the importance of connection, community and fighting for what’s right,” she said. “This sense of belonging and caring for others really made me want to stand up for what matters and those values still guide my work today.”
There was a round of applause from the public gallery as interim CEO thanked out-going mayor, Cr Daria Kellander, for her service.
Council unanimously voted the next mayoral term to be 12 months.
Cr Diana Grima spent her first meeting as mayor fielding questions about the turbulent Williamstown Swimming and Surf Life Saving Club redevelopment.
More than half of the nine public questions last month were asking about the long-running redevelopment debate.
Infrastructure and City Services Director, Matthew Irving untangled the complex web of funding, telling the chamber the redevelopment was budgeted at more than $14.5 million, “spanning over multiple financial years”: more than $11.3 million of which was coming from the state; $3 million “as a council contribution” and $180,000 from the club itself.
But, Mr Irving said, these were “budget figures”, used “for the purposes of budgeting and forecasting” and the “exact cost” was yet to be “worked through” in the procurement process once appropriate approvals were obtained.
Mr Irving said council had undergone “significant community engagement” on the redevelopment designs.
“While acknowledging that objections have been raised, we have identified a broad and strong community support towards the design that forms the current redevelopment plan,” he said.
Mr Irving said council would “consider” the planning permit application “in due course”.
Council’s Statutory Planning team is currently working on an assessment report on the redevelopment’s proposal to put 19 car parking spaces on public beachfront land.
Council will vote on car parking provisions after the report is complete.
Brimbank City Council
Well Cr Thuy Dang’s final meeting of her mayoral term was pretty sparky last month, when someone in the public gallery tried to ask a question during public question time.
Members of the public are required to submit questions online before 9am the day preceding the meeting, where they are read out for the mayor to answer. Members of the public are also required to register their attendance beforehand.
So you could tell there would be rumblings when a clearly audible ruckus was happening between security and the unregistered member of the public at the council doors.
“You know why I haven’t registered,” the member of the public said. “Because I’ve had enough, this is a public meeting, we pay for it.”
The member of the public was allowed in, along with two other attendees (your correspondent and one other journalist).
The member of the public remained seated during the Acknowledgement of Country and turned their back during the Reading of the Councillor Commitment. We got through the Apologies, Conflicts of Interest Disclosures, Confidential Items, Confirmation of Minutes, Condolences and Congratulations. And we even got through the seven submitted public questions, before the person in the public gallery put up their hand:
“Excuse me, I am here, can I ask a question,” the member in the public gallery said. Cr Dang replied that questions needed to be submitted online the day preceding the Meeting.
“This is a public meeting,” the member of the public replied. “And I am not allowed to speak to you? This has just been a waste of time,” was the reply. And with that the member of the public walked out in a cloud of loudly muttered expletives.
In 2023 Cr Maria Kerr put forward an unsuccessful motion to hold extra meetings where members of the public could ask live, unscripted questions of councillors. Later, council voted to develop a report on the possibility of holding quarterly online meetings where members of the public could ask live, unscripted questions of councillors. This is the last your correspondent has heard about the issue.
Brimbank Mayor
Josie Vine
Well Brimbank has followed Hobsons Bay’s precedent, and given the tiller to a Captain over a Midshipman after it voted in Cr Virginia Tacos as mayor last month.
First-term councillor, Cr Catherine Nikolik was also nominated but was pipped-at-the-post five votes to six.
Cr Tacos was elected to council in 2016 and is currently serving her third term as mayor.
Seated at the head of the chamber and donning the mayoral robe, Cr Tacos said the election was “truly momentous” because it was the first time a Horseshoe Bend Ward representative had sat the chair.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the residents who have supported me over the last three terms,” she said. “Your trust and endorsement mean the world to me, and because of your belief in me, I’m here.”
Cr Tacos grew up in a “working class” migrant family and, after her father’s workplace-related death, she was galvanised to serve the public.
“This experience profoundly shaped my purpose,” she said. “It fuelled my desire to help others and to advocate for those voices that aren’t being heard.”
Cr Tacos currently works in disability services.
Second-term councillor, Maria Kerr was voted in as deputy mayor over first-term councillor, Duyen Anh Pham.
The role of mayor and deputy mayor was unanimously voted to be 12 months.
Maribyrnong City Council
Maribyrnong
By Ruby Fox
This month’s council meeting was filled with housekeeping and reminiscing on Councillor Pradeep Tiwari’s first term as Mayor.
When discussing the outcome of the 2025-2026 Community Grants program, Cr Bernadette Thomas said it was “good to see a mix” of people applying this year. Cr Mohamed Semra continued this sentiment, stating that “these projects represent the best of what we can enable” as they “bring people together, support wellbeing, celebrate culture and impact a diverse range of communities in Maribyrnong”.
Cr Elena Pereyra said that “community grants are a great way for the community to help us deliver on the broader aspirations that we hold on behalf of the community”, while Cr Susan Yengi encouraged people to look into other options within council and to apply again.
Councillor then went on to discuss the Live Music Action Plan 2026-2028. Cr Thomas reminded listeners that “Maribyrnong is well known as the creative heart of the West” yet “we lag behind in live music offerings when compared to other similar areas”.
“We hope to change this by exploring funding support, online promotions, professional development opportunities, a conference and working with youth to support the development of local talent,” said Cr Thomas. Cr Pereyra seconded this notion, saying that the council “aims for the live music scene to reflect our cultural diversity and promote belonging and well being”.
Councillors then encouraged us to look into the new Special Rate and Charge Policy and see the potential changes. Cr Pereyra said that the changes should set up “a framework for funding activities that will support specific areas of our community”. It will make it easier for councils to “look at specific situations and help generate funds to deliver specific outcomes”. The “policy seeks to endorse transparency and mandates that the scheme be equitable in redistributing cost and benefit” said Cr Pereyra. To read more about it, there is plenty of information on the council’s website.
The councillors then discussed the Five Neighbourhood Houses and three Community Centres in Maribyrnong. Cr Semra opened up the topic, stating that these organisations are the “quiet backbone of our community, providing safe welcoming spaces where people can learn, connect and access support”. They offer “everything from digital literacy, english classes,food relief, engagement and programs for seniors, immigrants and culturally diverse families”.
After “operating with stretched resources for many years”, Cr Semra said he is “proud that this council has increased funding for our Neighbourhood Houses across Maribyrning.” Cr Yengi agreed with this, stating “we couldn’t do what we do without them”.
The meeting then turned quite solemn as Cr Semra acknowledged the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in Sudan which has resulted in mass killings, famine and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians. Cr Semra urged council to “express solidarity and acknowledge the deep trauma” being caused, and asked the council to write to the prime minister and his team urging for the aus government to advocate for a ceasefire.
“The city of Maribyrnong is home to a bright and vibrant Sudanese community,” said Cr Semra, “many with direct family ties to the goings on in Sudan”, and while it can be easier to try and avoid conflict, “for many in our municipality, this violence is personal”, and we must make a change.
Finally, Mayor Tiwari discussed the Business Attraction Incentives for Footscray CBD. Council hopes to “outline current business support, explore incentives through a nine-month Footscray CBD pilot, including waived fees and a 30-day fast-track concierge, and provide recommendations with financial implications for further assistance”.
Mayor Tiwari reminisced on his past year as mayor, saying that “something that I’ve stood firmly for throughout my term, revitalizing the CBD, supporting our traders and removing barriers that make it hard for new business to open and thrive”. Mayor Tiwari said he has “spoken to hundreds of traders, property owners, workers and residents and the feedback has been consistent, Footscray is full of potential but it needs targeted practical support from council”.
The day after this meeting was the mayoral election for 2025-2026. In the meeting Cr Cuc Lam nominated Cr Tiwari for mayor, and Cr Thomas nominated Cr Semra for mayor. Both gave very compelling speeches before it was put to a vote and Cr Semra won, gaining 5 votes from councillors Thomas, Samantha Meredith, Pereyra, Yengi and himself. Councillors Lam and Tiwari voted for Tiwari.
When it came to the election of the deputy mayor, Cr Tiwari nominated Cr Lam and Cr Pereyra nominated Cr Meredith. Again came two compelling speeches before Cr Lam received three votes from councillors Yengi, Tiwari and Lam, and Cr Meredith won with four votes from councillors Thomas, Pereyra, herself and Mayor Semra.
Wyndham City Council
By Jack Sutton
A very important time of the year for Wyndham City and for Cr Josh Gilligan, who has been voted in as the new Mayor for the next twelve months. A relatively small crowd for Mayor Gilligan’s first full meeting, with around ten people in attendance.
As always at the start of a new campaign, councillors are appointed to their committees for 2025 and 2026, except for Cr Jasmine Hill, who was not listed on any of the committees for the first time since being a part of the council. She voiced her concerns on the matter but assured the community that she still intends to serve the residents of Wyndham to the best of her abilities
Cr Robert Szatkowski caused a large debate amongst the council tonight as he proposed a change to the upcoming Domestic Animal Management Plan for 2026-2029. Routine microchip audits and the council release fee for animals to be waived in the first instance are some of the main changes Szatkowski wanted to make. As well as quality updates and adjustments being made where necessary.
Despite the seemingly harmless approach, some of the council members weren’t totally sold on this proposal. Cr Shannon McGuire said “it was too restrictive” and now former Mayor, Cr Mia Shaw, who was also strongly against this, said “it is confusing and difficult to assess”.
One thing that didn’t sound like it was going to change, regardless of the vote, was a cat curfew being put in place by next year.
This debate went on for quite some time, lasting around 30 minutes, and even with a lot of compelling arguments against Szatkowski’s resolution, it was carried.
More information regarding this Domestic Animal Management Plan is available on the Wyndham City Council website.
