Council Meeting - 28 Jul 2026

Topics

• Nillumbik backs Challenger Street BMX park concept despite opposition petition
  Council endorsed the final concept plan for a BMX Jumps and Community Recreation Park at Challenger Street Reserve despite a petition opposing the site and continuing environmental and cultural-heritage questions.
  The decision advances a contested recreation project and affects nearby residents, park users, environmental interests and Traditional Owner consultation.
• Lorimer Road owners face proposed special charge for $971,000 sealing project
  Council began the statutory process to declare a special charge for sealing part of Lorimer Road, with an estimated project cost of $971,000 and payments available over 10 years.
  Affected property owners may face a new charge, either as a lump sum or quarterly instalments over 10 years with interest.
• Yarrambat War Memorial change rooms project moves to construction
  Council approved the award of Contract 2526-046 for the Yarrambat War Memorial Change Rooms Development, with construction scheduled from 3 August 2026 to 30 April 2027.
  The project will affect facility users, sporting groups and local contractors, while the contract value and preferred tenderer details were partly redacted or confidential.

Decisions

• BMX Jumps and Community Recreation Park concept endorsed
  Endorsed the final concept plan for the BMX Jumps and Community Recreation Park after community consultation. Councillor Kelly Joy voted against; the other listed councillors voted for.
  The decision advances the proposed park at Challenger Street Reserve, a site subject to a petition and environmental and cultural-heritage concerns.
• Lorimer Road special charge process begins
  Resolved to give notice of intention to declare the Lorimer Road Special Charge Scheme for the section between 29 Lorimer Road and Reynolds Road, followed by submissions and objections.
  Owners liable for the charge will receive notice and may pay the estimated cost by lump sum or quarterly instalments over 10 years with interest.
• Festival and event funding increased
  Approved the Connected Nillumbik Festival and Event Program for 2027–2030, including an increase of $30,000 per year to the annual budget and a new EOI process.
  Community groups and event organisers will have an opportunity to apply for program support.
• Draft unpaid-rates property-sale policy released for consultation
  Endorsed public exhibition of the draft Sale of Properties for Unpaid Rates Policy for 21 days commencing in August 2026.
  Residents can make submissions, and eligible submitters can request to be heard before a future committee meeting.
• Rates hardship policy updated
  Adopted the updated Rates Financial Hardship Policy.
  The policy sets the framework for assistance and payment arrangements for ratepayers experiencing financial hardship.
• Yarrambat change rooms contract approved
  Approved the Yarrambat War Memorial Change Rooms Development contract and authorised contract execution and certain project variations, with further Council approval required for variations exceeding the approved budget.
  The decision enables the change rooms project to proceed during the stated construction term.

Discussion

• Community Assessment Panel recruitment
  Council endorsed the continuation of a community-member Community Assessment Panel for January 2027 to December 2028 and approved an EOI process. Recruitment is scheduled for 30 July to 30 August 2026, with nominations to return to Council on 24 November 2026.
  Residents can apply to participate in assessment of programs including the Nillumbik Community Fund and Community Awards.
• Audit and Risk Committee membership
  Council reappointed independent Audit and Risk Committee member John Watson for a further three-year term beginning 1 September 2026.
  The appointment maintains independent governance and financial oversight.
• Planning officer authorisations
  Council authorised listed staff under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. The instrument takes effect when signed by the Chief Executive Officer and remains in force until varied or revoked.
  The authorisations support Council’s planning enforcement and decision-making functions.
• Advisory and informal meeting records
  Council noted minutes from the Positive Ageing Advisory Committee and Recreation Trails Advisory Committee, along with records of informal councillor meetings and briefings.
  These records provide transparency about advisory input and councillor briefings, but do not themselves create new resident services.

Impacts

• Potential special charges for eligible Lorimer Road property owners, with an estimated project cost of $971,000 and payment options over 10 years.
• Residents experiencing financial hardship will be covered by an updated rates assistance and payment-arrangement policy.
• Owners with long-term unpaid rates can comment on a draft policy concerning possible property sale or bankruptcy action as last-resort recovery measures.
• Community groups and event organisers can apply for the expanded Connected Nillumbik Festival and Event Program.
• The BMX project will proceed to the final concept-plan stage at Challenger Street Reserve, subject to further ecology and cultural-heritage processes.
• Construction of the Yarrambat War Memorial change rooms is authorised for the period from August 2026 to April 2027.

Places

• Challenger Street Reserve (reserve/project area)
  Proposed BMX Jumps and Community Recreation Park and Challenger Street Reserve site
• Lorimer Road, Wattle Glen (road/locality)
  Road section covered by proposed Special Charge Scheme
• Yarrambat War Memorial Change Rooms (community facility/project)
  Development project under Contract 2526-046
• Civic Drive, Greensborough (civic facility)
  Council meeting venue and municipal headquarters
• Nillumbik Shire (local government area)
  Municipal area affected by rates hardship and unpaid-rates policies

Next

• Issue intention-to-declare notices for the Lorimer Road Special Charge Scheme and invite submissions or objections.
  Following the 28 July 2026 resolution; subsequent statutory process not specified.
• Open expressions of interest for the Connected Nillumbik Festival and Event Program.
  30 July to 6 September 2026.
• Open expressions of interest for Community Assessment Panel membership.
  30 July to 30 August 2026.
• Exhibit the draft Sale of Properties for Unpaid Rates Policy and report back after consultation.
  21 days commencing in August 2026; future Council meeting for final consideration.
• Commence the Yarrambat War Memorial Change Rooms Development contract.
  3 August 2026 to 30 April 2027.
• Report Community Assessment Panel nominations to Council for endorsement.
  24 November 2026.
• Develop a Cultural Heritage Management Plan and undertake ecology-related work for the BMX park project.
  Before later project design and delivery stages; exact timing not stated.

Extract

Council Meeting held at the Council Chamber, 32 Civic Drive, Greensborough on Tuesday 28 July 2026 commencing at 7:00 PM. Minutes Carl Cowie Chief Executive Officer Friday 31 July 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 28 July 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 held T...