Agenda of Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting

Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting Agenda 10 June 2025

Nillumbik Shire Council

Agenda of the Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting to be held
Tuesday 10 June 2025 commencing at 7:00 PM.

Members of the public are advised the meeting will be livestreamed and recorded and the livestream recording will be made publicly available on YouTube and Council’s website.

2. Acknowledgement of Country

The Acknowledgement of Country to be read by the Chairperson

Nillumbik Shire Council respectfully acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the Country on which Nillumbik is located, and we value the significance of the Wurundjeri people’s history as essential to the unique character of the shire. We pay tribute to all First Nations People living in Nillumbik, give respect to Elders past, present and future, and extend that respect to all First Nations People.

We respect the enduring strength of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and acknowledge the ongoing impacts of past trauma and injustices from colonial invasion, massacres and genocide committed against First Nations People. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people hold a deep and ongoing connection to this place. We value the distinctive place of our First Nations People in both Nillumbik and Australia’s identity; from their cultural heritage and care of the land and waterways, to their ongoing contributions in many fields including academia, agriculture, art, economics, law, sport and politics.

3. Apologies/Leave of Absence

Committee to note any apologies by Councillors not in attendance and or considers requests for any leave of absence submitted.

4. Declarations of conflict of interest

Committee members and Officers should note that any conflicts of interest should also be disclosed immediately before the relevant item.

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Planning and Consultation Committee Agenda 10 June 2025

6. Officers’ reports

PCC.006/25 Diamond Creek Dog Park Upgrade

Item: Consultation Matter

Distribution: Public

Manager: Claire Quinlan, Chief Operating Officer

Author: Mike Dean, Acting Manager Recreation and Leisure

Summary

This report considers submissions received from the public in relation to the Diamond Creek Dog Park Upgrade draft concept plans.

Recommendation

That the Committee (acting under delegation from Council)

1. Notes the submissions received in relation to the Diamond Creek Dog Park Upgrade project draft concept plan.

2. Considers the comments contained in the submissions.

3. Authorises officers to finalise concept plan and seek endorsement from Council at a future Council Meeting.

Attachments

1.	Attachment 1 - Consultation responses
2 .	Attachment 2 - Diamond Creek Dog Park Upgrade Concept Plan

Discussion

1. The Diamond Creek Dog Park, located at 28 Main Hurstbridge Road, Diamond Creek (Diamond Creek Reserve), is a valued community asset frequented by dog owners and their pets.

2. In December 2023, Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) advised Council that the Diamond Creek Dog Park had been identified as a priority site and was eligible for funding under the New and Upgraded Dog Parks Program - Round 1. This was a non-competitive grant opportunity.

3. In March 2024, an application was submitted requesting $300,000 in funding for upgrades to the existing dog park, which represented the maximum amount available without a co-contribution requirement.

4. Council was advised of the successful grant application and the funding agreement was executed May 2024.

5. A draft concept plan was developed to support meaningful community engagement, outline desirable features and encourage input regarding preferred additional inclusions in the project where feasible.

6. The draft concept plan includes:

a) Relocation and enhancement of the passive dog area (designed for smaller or less active dogs) to the front of the park, featuring a dedicated entry and exit point

b) Installation of two small shelters with a bench seat to provide shade and weather protection

c) Improved paths including:

i) Construction of an accessible sealed loop path around the main area of the park (charcoal coloured concrete).

ii) Widening and renewal of existing gravel paths around the remainder of the park, including the existing agility equipment area.

iii) Installation of new gravel paths to provide connection to the entire park.

d) Upgraded drinking fountains

e) Additional accessible seating adjacent to the paths

f) Additional dog waste bins within park

g) Solar lighting at entry points and shelters

h) Upgrading of existing signage

i) Surface drainage improvements

j) Landscaping and vegetation protection

k) Retention of existing agility equipment

7. All works will occur within the existing site boundary.

Related Council decisions

8. On 29 April 2025 Council endorsed the draft Diamond Creek Dog Park Upgrade Concept Plan (Attachment 2) and approved officers to undertake community consultation on the design.

Options

9. Following the Committee’s consideration of submissions, officers will complete the final concept plan and seek endorsement from Council at a future Council Meeting

Council plans and policies

10. This report directly supports the achievement of the Council Plan 2021-2025 strategy:

· We carefully protect, plan, maintain and improve open spaces, streetscapes and places to ensure that they are safe, accessible and enjoyable.

Access, Equity and Inclusion

11. A Gender Impact Assessment has been completed and is reviewed at key stages of the project to ensure the upgrade of the dog park is inclusive, user-friendly and responsive to the diverse needs of the community.

12. An accredited access consultant has been engaged to review the concept plan and has provided recommendations, which will be considered during the design development phase, along with best practices, park safety, and risk management

Sustainability implications

13. This project supports social sustainability by providing a safe space for the community to connect.

14. Wherever possible, recycled or sustainable construction materials will be used for the proposed park upgrade works.

Community engagement

15. Community consultation was conducted over a three-week period from 30 April to
21 May 2025. The consultation opportunity was promoted via Council’s website, social media platforms, e-newsletters, and on-site signage.

16. As part of the engagement process, officers attended the Diamond Creek Dog Park during the consultation period for informal discussions with existing park users to gain current user feedback.

17. The draft concept plan was published on a dedicated project page on the Participate Nillumbik platform. The page included a survey to capture the community’s feedback on the draft concept plan.

18. The consultation page received 395 visits by 368 unique visitors during the consultation period.

19. Council received a total of 39 survey submissions. See summary of the survey responses below.

Note: as questions were not ‘mandatory’, not all questions were answered by all submitters

20. Question 1: Do you prefer two small shelters as per the concept plan or one large shelter?

Response Options	Responses
Two small shelters	30
One large shelter	7

21. Question 2: The passive dog area will be relocated. Do you support the proposed new location?

Response Options	Responses
Yes	36
No	2

22. Question 3: New seating has been proposed at the dog park. Are you supportive of its location?

Response Options	Responses
Yes	36
No	2

23. Question 4: Do you support keeping the current dog agility course?

Response Options	Responses
Yes	32
No	6

24. Question 5: Do you support the inclusion of solar lighting at the dog park entries and shelters to improve accessibility?

Response Options	Responses
Yes	38
No	0

25. Question 6: Do you support the inclusion of a sand/digging pit?

Response Options	Responses
Yes	29
No	9

Those who answered ‘yes’ to question 6 were then asked of their preferred location for a sand/digging pit. Refer to Attachment 2 – Consultation responses.

If submitters answered ‘no’ to any of the questions above, they were asked to provide reasons for their lack of support. They were also invited to share any additional comments. These responses are included in Attachment 2 – Consultation Responses.

Innovation and continuous improvement

26. The concept design incorporates learnings from previous projects of this nature and aims to manage existing operational challenges where possible.

27. Opportunities for innovation highlighted through the community consultation process will also be considered as part of the design development phase.

Collaboration

28. Benchmarking has been undertaken, assessing 35 dog parks across 16 Local Government Areas.

29. The concept design incorporates feedback based on experience and learnings from previous projects from a range of internal stakeholders including Parks & Open Space, Waste Management and Infrastructure Design teams.

Budget considerations

30. The Diamond Creek Dog Park Upgrade is fully funded by the Victorian Government through the Open Space for Everyone - Dog Park Upgrades Program.

Relevant law

31. Not applicable

Regional, state and national plans and policies

32. Not applicable

Conflicts of interest

33. All officers involved in the preparation of this report have made a declaration that they do not have a conflict of interest in the subject matter of this report.

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Planning and Consultation Committee Agenda 10 June 2025

6. Officers’ reports

PCC.007/25 Revenue and Rating Plan 2025 - 2029 Submissions

Item: Consultation Matter

Distribution: Public

Manager: Jeremy Livingston, Director Culture and Performance

Author: Melika Sukunda, Chief Financial Officer

Summary

This report considers submissions received from the public regarding the Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 (Attachment 1).

Council adopted the Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 at the Council Meeting on 29 April 2025 for the purpose of community consultation. The Draft Revenue and Rating Plan was exhibited for 30 days with one submission received during this time.

It is proposed that the Committee considers submissions on the Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 and that the matter then be considered by Council at the Council Meeting on 17 June 2025.

Recommendation

That the Committee (acting under delegation from Council):

1. Acknowledges and notes any submission received from community members who provided any feedback on the Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 (Attachment 1).

2. Receives and notes the submission received in respect of the Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 (Attachment 2 and Attachment 3).

3. Considers the matters contained in the submission and the Committee’s report during finalisation of the Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029.

4. Recommends the adoption of the Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 (Attachment 1) at the 17 June 2025 Council Meeting.

5. Resolves the confidential un-redacted copy of the written submission to the Revenue and Rating Plan 2025 - 2029 (Attachment 3) remain confidential on the grounds specified in the definition of confidential information in section 3(1)(f) of the Local Government Act 2020.

Attachments

1.	Attachment 1 - Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029
2 .	Attachment 2 - Revenue and Rating Plan submissions _Redacted
3.	Attachment 3 - Revenue and Rating Plan submissions - Confidential

Discussion

Background

1. Council is required to adopt a Rating and Revenue Plan prior to 30 June in the year following a general election, under section 93 of the Local Government Act 2020.

2. The purpose of the Rating and Revenue Plan is to establish a rating and revenue strategy which, in conjunction with other income sources will fund the priorities and action items outlined in the four-year Council Plan.

3. Council adopted the Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 at the 29 April 2025 Council Meeting for the purpose of community consultation.

4. The Draft Plan outlines Council’s most significant sources of income and provides a framework for informing the income projections in Council’s Draft Financial Plan 2025-2029 and future budgets.

Submissions

5. In response to the public exhibition of the Draft Plan, one submission was received from the community.

6. Once the Committee has considered the submission received, the Committee must present a report to the next Council Meeting. Council is required to consider the Committee’s report on the submission prior to finalising the Revenue and Rating Plan.

Related Council decisions

7. Not applicable.

Options

8. Council has adopted a Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 and exhibited this for public consultation.

9. Following the Committee’s consideration of the submission received, the matter will be further considered at the 17 June 2025 Council Meeting.

Council plans and policies

10. This report directly supports the achievement of the Council Plan 2021-2025 strategy:

· We continue to exercise sustainable and responsible financial management.

Access, Equity and Inclusion

11. A Gender Impact Assessment will be conducted on the Debt Management and Hardship Policy, which supports the Revenue and Rating Plan.

Sustainability implications

12. Council’s financial sustainability is informed by the indicators set by the Victorian Auditor General’s Office (VAGO).

13. These indicators comprise of both short term and longer-term measures. The indicators are calculated and considered as part of the budget process.

Community engagement

14. The Draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 was the subject of a communication and consultation program which included advertising and an online feedback form on Council’s website.

Innovation and continuous improvement

15. Continuous improvement and innovation opportunities identified have been considered as part of the plan development process.

Collaboration

16. Not applicable.

Budget considerations

17. The costs of preparing and exhibiting the Draft Revenue and Rating Plan, such as public notices, are funded from operating budget allocations.

Relevant law

18. The approach to the Revenue and Rating Plan and the composition of the financial statements are prepared reflective of the overall compliance with the Australian Accounting Standards.

19. The Local Government Act 2020 also applies.

Regional, state and national plans and policies

20. Not applicable.

Conflicts of interest

21. All officers involved in the preparation of this report have made a declaration that they do not have a conflict of interest in the subject matter of this report.

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Cr Peter Perkins Ellis Ward (Chairperson Planning Matters)				Cr Kim Cope Sugarloaf Ward
Cr Kelly Joy Edendale Ward				Cr Kate McKay Swipers Gully Ward
Cr Naomi Joiner Bunjil Ward (Deputy Mayor)				Cr John Dumaresq (Mayor) Wingrove Ward
Katia Croce Manager Governance and Property	Blaga Naumoski Director Governance, Communications and Community Safety	Cr Grant Brooker Blue Lake Ward (Chairperson Consultation Matters)	Carl Cowie Chief Executive Officer