Council Meeting - 25 Aug 2026

Topics

• Nillumbik backs fortnightly red-bin service as weekly collections become a statewide political issue
  Council has defended its 23-year fortnightly residual-waste model against a proposal for mandatory weekly red-bin collections across Victoria.
  Residents face potential future changes to waste services and charges, while Council says local flexibility and optional paid extra capacity better fit community needs.
• Cassells Road sealing contract approved for $677,083 before GST and contingency
  Council approved a major road-sealing contract, with works due to begin in September.
  The project will affect local road access and delivers a defined infrastructure investment with a scheduled construction window.
• Jayson Avenue special-charge works approved for December completion
  Council approved construction under the Jayson Avenue Special Charge Scheme, with works scheduled to start in September.
  Affected property owners and road users may face construction disruption, and the special-charge funding model is directly relevant to local landowners.

Decisions

• Waste service autonomy and proposed weekly red-bin policy
  Council noted the Victorian Opposition’s proposal for mandatory weekly household residual-waste collections and rate-capping of municipal waste charges. It reaffirmed councils’ flexibility to set locally appropriate services, supported Nillumbik’s fortnightly red-bin model with optional paid weekly collection, and advocated for waste reforms that improve recycling, resource recovery and environmental outcomes.
  The current fortnightly red-bin, fortnightly recycling and weekly FOGO services remain supported, with optional extra red-bin capacity available at an additional cost. Council also opposed applying rate-capping to waste charges where it could prevent full cost recovery.
• Cassells Road sealing contract
  Council approved Contract 2526-050 for Cassells Road sealing construction at $564,235.90 plus $112,847.18 contingency, excluding GST. Works are scheduled from 7 September 2026 to 29 January 2027. The CEO or delegate may approve variations within the approved project budget.
  Residents and road users near Cassells Road may experience construction activity and improved road conditions during the works period.
• Jayson Avenue Special Charge Scheme construction
  Council approved Contract 2526-068 for Jayson Avenue Special Charge Scheme construction at $312,921.40 plus $62,584.28 contingency, excluding GST. Works are scheduled from 7 September 2026 to 18 December 2026. Variations above the approved budget would require a further Council resolution.
  Affected Jayson Avenue property owners and road users may experience construction impacts, with the project delivered through a special charge scheme.
• Events Policy 2026–2030
  Council endorsed the revised Events Policy 2026–2030, introducing risk-based event classifications, clearer guidance for organisers and stronger accessibility, inclusion and environmental-sustainability requirements. Officers must publish the policy and update event guides and grant-program materials.
  Event organisers, attendees and community groups will receive clearer requirements and greater emphasis on safe, accessible and sustainable events.
• Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee appointments
  Council endorsed six recommended applicants for the 2026–2027 Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee.
  The appointments maintain a formal community and sector advisory role in the development and evaluation of local arts and cultural programs.
• Youth Council recruitment
  Council endorsed five recommended applicants for the Nillumbik Youth Council Advisory Committee for the 2025–2027 term.
  Five additional young people will contribute to Council consultation and advice on issues affecting residents aged 15 to 25.
• Audit and Risk Committee reappointment
  Council reappointed Jonathan Kyvelidis as an independent member of the Audit and Risk Committee for a further three-year term commencing 31 July 2026.
  The reappointment provides continuity in independent financial, risk and governance oversight.
• Petition on climate compensation
  Council received and noted the 764-signature “Make Big Polluters Pay Their Fair Share” petition and referred it to the Chief Operating Officer for investigation and response. Officers will advise the organiser of the outcome.
  The petition calls for a federally funded Climate Compensation Fund, paid for through a levy on major fossil-fuel exporters, to support climate adaptation, infrastructure and disaster resilience without shifting costs to ratepayers.

Discussion

• Environmental strategy implementation
  Council considered annual performance updates and implementation plans for its Climate Action Plan, Biodiversity Strategy 2024–2034 and Urban Tree Canopy Strategy. The tree-canopy plan includes 11 actions for 2026–27, including six new initiatives and finalisation of a Tree Protection and Management Policy.
  The plans guide local climate action, biodiversity protection and tree-canopy investment, including efforts to prevent avoidable loss of mature trees on Council land.
• Council and health and wellbeing performance
  The fourth-quarter Council Plan report recorded 34 of 55 annual actions completed, 17 on track and four experiencing minor issues. The Health and Wellbeing Plan annual review and quarterly report indicated continued progress and compliance with legislative requirements.
  The reports provide a public progress check on Council services and strategic commitments, with the full 2025–26 results due in the Annual Report later in 2026.
• State advocacy on deer and bus services
  Council endorsed motions for the 23 October 2026 Municipal Association of Victoria State Council seeking stronger, long-term State support for deer management and expansion of regional bus-network reviews to peri-urban municipalities.
  The proposed advocacy concerns biodiversity, property and public safety impacts from deer, as well as bus connectivity between townships and rail infrastructure.

Impacts

• Cassells Road sealing works are scheduled from 7 September 2026 to 29 January 2027.
• Jayson Avenue Special Charge Scheme construction is scheduled from 7 September 2026 to 18 December 2026.
• Nillumbik’s existing waste model remains supported: fortnightly residual-waste and recycling collections, weekly FOGO collection and optional paid weekly residual-waste service.
• Event organisers will operate under the revised Events Policy 2026–2030, including updated risk, accessibility, inclusion and sustainability requirements.
• The climate petition will receive an officer investigation and response.

Places

• Cassells Road (road)
  Site of the approved sealing-construction contract.
• Jayson Avenue (road)
  Site of the approved Special Charge Scheme construction contract.
• Greensborough (suburb)
  Location of the Council Chamber and All Saints Anglican Church reference.
• Nillumbik Shire (municipality)
  Council area affected by waste services, environmental strategies, community programs and infrastructure projects.
• Victoria (state/service area)
  Scope of proposed waste reforms, deer-management advocacy and bus-network review advocacy.
• Montsalvat (facility)
  Venue for the Eltham High School centenary art exhibition noted in delegates’ reports.

Next

• Commence Cassells Road sealing construction under Contract 2526-050.
  7 September 2026 to 29 January 2027
• Commence Jayson Avenue Special Charge Scheme construction under Contract 2526-068.
  7 September 2026 to 18 December 2026
• Publish the Events Policy 2026–2030 and update related guides, communications and grant materials.
  Following policy endorsement
• Refer the climate compensation petition to the Chief Operating Officer for investigation and advise the organiser of the outcome.
  No specific date stated
• Submit Council’s deer-management and peri-urban bus-network motions to the MAV State Council.
  MAV State Council meeting on 23 October 2026
• Present the 2025–26 Annual Report to the community.
  Later in 2026

Extract

Council Meeting held at the Council Chamber, 32 Civic Drive, Greensborough on Tuesday 25 August 2026 commencing at 7:00 PM. Minutes Carl Cowie Chief Executive Officer Friday 28 August 2026 Distribution: Public Civic Drive, Greensborough PO Box 476, Greensborough 3088 Telephone 9433 3111 Facsimile 9433 3777 Website www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au Email nillumbik@nillumbik.vic.gov.au Council Meeting Minutes 25 August 2026 i Nillumbik Shire Council Contents 1. Welcome 1 2. Acknowledgement 1 3. Good Governance Pledge 1 4. Prayer 1 5. Apologies\Leave of Absence 1 6. Declarations of conflict of interest 1 7. Presentations 2 8. Confirmation of Minutes 3 COM.001/26 Confirmation of Minutes Council Meeting...