Six Eltham properties could share $129,960 Reynolds Road charge Nillumbik Council has approved public notice for a proposed special charge to seal and upgrade Reynolds Road, but has not yet declared the charge. Council: Nillumbik Shire Council Meeting: 27 October 2026 Recorded status: mixed BRIEF Six Eltham properties could collectively face an estimated $129,960 Reynolds Road special charge after Nillumbik Council approved public notice for the proposed scheme. If declared, the scheme would allow payment by lump sum or quarterly instalments over 10 years with interest. Council’s resolution also notes separate speed-hump works estimated at $38,000, with three humps proposed in the report. The charge still requires notice, consideration of submissions and objections, and a later decision. KEY FACTS - Council resolved to give public notice of its intention to declare the Reynolds Road special charge, rather than finally declaring it. - The six properties would collectively be charged an estimated $129,960 from a total project estimate of $171,000. - If declared, the scheme would allow payment within 30 days of invoice as a lump sum or by quarterly instalments over 10 years with interest. - Council’s estimated broader community-benefit contribution is $41,040. Its resolution also notes separate speed-hump works estimated at $38,000; the report proposes three humps. - The resolution was carried unanimously, but submissions and objections must be considered before the scheme can be finally declared. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - The immediate resolution advances the statutory process but does not establish a final liability for any property owner. - The minutes do not give an estimated individual charge for each property, so the collective levy should not be presented as an amount each owner will pay. - The financial figures reconcile: $129,960 plus $41,040 equals $171,000, and $41,040 is 24 per cent of $171,000. QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING - When will the public notice be issued, and what will be the deadline for submissions or objections? - What estimated amount would each of the six properties be required to pay? - When will Council consider submissions and decide whether to declare, vary or abandon the scheme? RECORDED NEXT STEPS - Council is to publish a public notice of its intention to declare the special charge. - Council officers are to send the notice to each person who would be liable for the charge. - Submissions and objections are to be considered before Council decides whether to declare, vary or abandon the scheme. - The resolution notes that Council will separately construct speed humps along the relevant section at an estimated cost of $38,000; the report proposes three humps. SOURCE PASSAGES The motion calls for public notice of Council's intention to declare a special charge for sealing and upgrading Reynolds Road, Eltham, between Mount Pleasant Road and Laughing Waters Road. "Following this, Council may resolve to declare, vary or abandon the scheme. Council Resolution MOVED: Cr John Dumaresq SECONDED: Cr Kim Cope That Council: 1. Gives public notice of its intention to declare a special charge in accordance with Section 163(1A) of the Local Government Act 1989 for the purposes of defraying the expenses to be incurred by Council for the sealing and upgrade of Reynolds Road, Eltham, between Mount Pleasant Road and Laughing Waters Road, subject to the following conditions: a) The works include a sprayed seal surface along the length of the road at a typical width of 3.5m, with localised upgrades to the drainage, vehicle" (CM.108/26, resolution 1) The statutory process requires notice of the intention to declare a special charge and hearing submissions and/or objections, after which Council may declare, vary or abandon the scheme. "This report commences the statutory process to declare the scheme and levy the special charge. Council must first give notice of its intention to declare a special charge and subsequently hear any submissions and/or objections to the scheme. Following this, Council may resolve to declare, vary or abandon the scheme. Council Resolution MOVED: Cr John Dumaresq SECONDED: Cr Kim Cope That Council: 1. Gives public notice of its intention to declare a special charge in accordance with Section 163(1A) of the Local Government Act 1989 for the purposes of defraying the expenses to be incurred by Council for the sealing and upgrade of Reynolds Road, Eltham, between Mount Pleasant Road and Laughing Waters Road, subject to the following conditions: a) The works include a sprayed seal surface along the length of the road at a typical width of 3.5m, with localised upgrades to the drainage, vehicle" (CM.108/26, report summary) The proposed works include a sprayed-seal surface at a typical width of 3.5 metres, with localised upgrades to drainage, vehicle crossovers and intersections. "Following this, Council may resolve to declare, vary or abandon the scheme. Council Resolution MOVED: Cr John Dumaresq SECONDED: Cr Kim Cope That Council: 1. Gives public notice of its intention to declare a special charge in accordance with Section 163(1A) of the Local Government Act 1989 for the purposes of defraying the expenses to be incurred by Council for the sealing and upgrade of Reynolds Road, Eltham, between Mount Pleasant Road and Laughing Waters Road, subject to the following conditions: a) The works include a sprayed seal surface along the length of the road at a typical width of 3.5m, with localised upgrades to the drainage, vehicle crossovers and intersections along the road. b) The Special Charge Scheme shall apply to the six properties at 131, 264, 268 and 272 Reynolds Road and 200 and 270 Mount Pleasant Road in Eltham (refer Attachment 1), which will receive access and amenity benefits." (CM.108/26, resolution 1(a)) The proposed scheme applies to 131, 264, 268 and 272 Reynolds Road and 200 and 270 Mount Pleasant Road in Eltham. The estimated project cost is $171,000, comprising a $129,960 collective levy and a $41,040 Council contribution for broader community benefit associated with through traffic. "crossovers and intersections along the road. b) The Special Charge Scheme shall apply to the six properties at 131, 264, 268 and 272 Reynolds Road and 200 and 270 Mount Pleasant Road in Eltham (refer Attachment 1), which will receive access and amenity benefits. c) The estimated total project cost is $171,000 and the amount levied between the six properties is $129,960. The estimated Council contribution for broader community benefit associated with through traffic use is $41,040 (refer Attachment 2)." (CM.108/26, resolution 1(b)-(c)) The quoted scheme provisions would allow payment within 30 days of invoice as a lump sum or by quarterly instalments over 10 years with interest, and would keep the scheme in force for 10 years. The text also notes that officers will send the public notice to each person liable for the charge. "Council Meeting Minutes 27 October 2026 12. Officers' reports CM.108/26 Reynolds Road Special Charge Scheme, Eltham - Intention to Declare 30 d) The total estimated cost to each property may be paid as a lump sum within 30 days of invoice or by quarterly instalments over a ten (10) year period with interest as provided by section 163(1)(b) of the Local Government Act 1989. e) The Special Charge Scheme for Reynolds Road, Eltham shall remain in force for ten (10) years. 2. Notes that Council officers will send a copy of the public notice to each person who will be liable to pay the special charge." (CM.108/26, resolution 1(d)-(e) and 2) The resolution notes that Council will separately construct speed humps along the relevant section of Reynolds Road to manage through-traffic speeds at an estimated Council cost of $38,000. The resolution was carried unanimously. "3. Notes that Council will separately construct speed humps along the above section of Reynolds Road to manage through traffic speeds at an estimated cost to Council of $38,000. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Council Meeting Minutes 27 October 2026 31 12." (CM.108/26, resolution 3 and vote) The report proposes three speed humps, separate from the scheme works, at an additional Council cost of $38,000 to manage safety risks associated with through traffic. "$41,040). An additional cost to Council of $38,000 is proposed to construct three speed humps at the same time but separate to the scheme works. The speed humps are required to manage safety risks associated with through traffic and hence the cost should be borne by Council." (CM.108/26, report summary) The report records support from four of six property owners, rounded to 67 per cent, and says Council resolved on 28 October 2025 to proceed with the scheme's development process. "After conducting a questionnaire and determining that 67% of property owners (four of six) support the Special Charge Scheme, Council resolved on 28 October 2025 to proceed with the development process for the scheme." (CM.108/26, report summary) SOURCES https://nillumbik.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/10/CM_27102026_MIN_1513.PDF https://minutesradar.com/news/nillumbik-infocouncil-council-meeting-27-oct-2026-27-oct-2026-minutes-six-eltham-properties-could-share-129-960-reynolds-road-charge/ Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.