Council Meeting - 29 Sep 2026

Topics

• Diamond Creek businesses face proposed five-year activity centre levy
  Council has begun the statutory process for a $130,000 first-year levy on commercial, retail and professional properties in Diamond Creek, rising with CPI and totalling an estimated $765,000 over five years.
  Affected businesses could face a new or renewed charge funding marketing, promotion and business development through the traders association.
• Hurstbridge businesses could pay $480 annual precinct charge
  Council advanced a proposed Hurstbridge business precinct charge of $480 per listed property in year one, indexed by CPI and worth $102,000 over three years.
  The charge would directly affect listed business properties and fund activity in the Hurstbridge precinct, subject to submissions and a final decision.
• Nillumbik tree policy decision delayed after 132 submissions
  Council deferred adoption of its tree protection policy to October after receiving feedback from 132 participants and hearing community submissions.
  The delay keeps future tree protection and management rules unresolved for residents and landowners.

Decisions

• Diamond Creek Activity Centre Special Rate Levy progressed
  Council gave notice of its intention to declare a five-year Special Rate Levy from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2032. The levy would raise $130,000 in year one, indexed annually by CPI, with an estimated five-year total of $765,000. It would fund marketing, promotion and related activities through the Diamond Creek Traders Association.
  Commercial, retail and professional properties in the defined Diamond Creek activity centre may be liable for the levy. Public notice, individual letters and a submissions process will follow.
• Hurstbridge Township Business Precinct Special Rate Charge progressed
  Council progressed a proposed Special Rate Charge for 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2030. The charge would raise $32,160 in year one, with a flat $480 year-one charge for each listed property, indexed by CPI in later years. The estimated three-year total is $102,000.
  Affected Hurstbridge business properties may face the charge, subject to the statutory notice and submissions process.
• Tree Protection and Management Policy deferred
  Consideration of the final Nillumbik Tree Protection and Management Policy was deferred to the 27 October 2026 Council Meeting. Council had received feedback from 132 participants during public exhibition.
  Residents and landowners will have to wait for the final policy decision, which may affect tree protection and management requirements.
• McIntosh Tree petition referred for investigation
  Council received and noted a petition signed by 39 residents of St Thomas' Retirement Village seeking removal of the McIntosh tree because of safety concerns. The petition was referred to the Chief Operating Officer for investigation and response.
  The petition organiser will be advised of the investigation outcome; no removal decision was made at this meeting.
• Underground stormwater drainage contract awarded
  Council accepted the preferred tender for Contract 2526-060, covering underground stormwater drainage cleaning and condition audits from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2029, with possible extensions to 30 September 2031. The preferred tenderer was not identified in the public extract.
  The contract supports inspection and maintenance of underground drainage infrastructure across the municipality.
• Leisure facilities contract extended
  Council endorsed extending Contract 1819-110 with Aligned Leisure through to 30 June 2032 and noted ongoing monitoring of operational and financial performance.
  The decision supports continued operation and management of council leisure facilities, subject to contract monitoring.
• Healthy food planning reform supported
  Council supported advocacy through the Municipal Association of Victoria for planning reforms that would give councils greater ability to consider health, wellbeing and community impacts when assessing fast-food and drive-through developments. The wording was amended so the MAV delegate or proxy, rather than specifically the Mayor, may communicate Council's position.
  The position seeks stronger local government influence over the location and impacts of fast-food developments.

Discussion

• Business precinct levies and charges
  Council initiated statutory processes for proposed Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge business-area charges, including CPI indexation and future submissions hearings.
  Eligible commercial properties may receive notices and may need to make submissions before final decisions in 2027.
• Tree protection policy consultation
  A final decision on the Nillumbik Tree Protection and Management Policy was delayed after 132 participants provided feedback during public exhibition.
  Tree management rules remain unresolved until the scheduled October meeting.
• Stormwater infrastructure maintenance
  A multi-year contract was approved for underground stormwater drainage cleaning and condition audits, with extension options.
  The work is intended to support the condition assessment and maintenance of drainage assets.
• Local planning and healthy food environments
  Council backed state planning reform advocacy concerning fast-food and drive-through applications.
  Future planning decisions may be assessed with greater regard to health, wellbeing and community impacts if reforms occur.

Impacts

• Commercial properties in the Diamond Creek Activity Centre may be liable for a proposed $130,000 year-one levy across the precinct, indexed by CPI.
• Listed Hurstbridge business properties may face a proposed $480 year-one charge, indexed by CPI in later years.
• The Diamond Creek and Hurstbridge charges remain subject to public notice, submissions and later Council decisions.
• The final tree protection policy decision is deferred to 27 October 2026.
• The McIntosh tree petition will receive an investigation and response, but no removal decision was made.
• Underground stormwater drainage cleaning and condition audits will be delivered under a contract beginning 1 October 2026.
• Council leisure facilities will continue under Aligned Leisure's extended contract through June 2032.

Places

• Diamond Creek Activity Centre (activity centre)
  Area covered by the proposed 2027-2032 Special Rate Levy.
• Diamond Creek (town)
  Location of the activity centre and Diamond Creek Traders Association.
• Hurstbridge Township Business Precinct (business precinct)
  Area covered by the proposed 2027-2030 Special Rate Charge.
• Hurstbridge (town)
  Location of the proposed business precinct charge.
• St Thomas' Retirement Village (retirement village)
  Residents submitted the petition concerning the McIntosh tree.
• McIntosh tree (tree/site)
  Tree residents seek to have removed because of safety concerns.
• 32 Civic Drive, Greensborough (council facility)
  Location of the Council meeting.

Next

• Publish the required notice and send individual letters about the proposed Diamond Creek Special Rate Levy.
  After the 29 September 2026 intention-to-declare decision.
• Publish the required notice and notify affected properties about the proposed Hurstbridge Township Business Precinct Special Rate Charge.
  After the intention-to-declare decision.
• Receive and consider submissions on the proposed business-area charges.
  Planning and Consultation Committee meetings in 2027.
• Make final decisions on whether to adopt, modify, defer or abandon the proposed charges.
  Council meetings in 2027 after submissions are heard.
• Reconsider the final Nillumbik Tree Protection and Management Policy.
  27 October 2026 Council Meeting.
• Investigate the McIntosh tree petition and advise the petition organiser of the outcome.
  Timing not specified.
• Commence the underground stormwater drainage cleaning and condition audits contract.
  1 October 2026.
• Monitor Aligned Leisure's operational and financial performance under the extended contract.
  Ongoing through 30 June 2032.

Extract

Council Meeting held at the Council Chamber, 32 Civic Drive, Greensborough on Tuesday 29 September 2026 commencing at 7:00 PM. Minutes Carl Cowie Chief Executive Officer Friday 2 October 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 29 September 2026 i THIS PAGE WAS LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK Council Meeting Minutes 29 September 2026 ii 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. Presen...