Minutes of Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting

Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting Minutes 14 October 2025

Nillumbik Shire Council

Minutes of the Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting held
Tuesday 14 October 2025. The meeting commenced at 7:01 PM.

Councillors present:

Cr John Dumaresq Wingrove Ward (Mayor)

Cr Naomi Joiner Bunjil Ward (Deputy Mayor) (Temporary Chairperson)

Cr Grant Brooker Blue Lake Ward (Chairperson Consultation Matters) (virtual)

Cr Kelly Joy Edendale Ward

Cr Peter Perkins Ellis Ward (Chairperson Planning Matters)

Cr Kim Cope Sugarloaf Ward

Officers in attendance:

Carl Cowie Chief Executive Officer

Claire Quinlan Chief Operating Officer

Blaga Naumoski Director Governance, Communications and Community Safety

Corrienne Nichols Director Communities

Frank Vassilacos Director Planning, Environment and Strategy

Jeremy Livingston Director Culture and Performance

Katia Croce Manager Governance and Property

Heath Gillett Manager Operations Centre

David Keep Parks and Open Space Coordinator

Danielle Henne Open Space Project Officer

1. Welcome by the Chair

2. Acknowledgement of Country

Acknowledgement of Country was read by the Temporary Chairperson Consultation Matters, Deputy Mayor, Cr Naomi Joiner.

3 Apologies/Leave of Absence

A request for a leave of absence has been received from Cr Kate McKay.

Committee Resolution

MOVED: Cr Kim Cope

SECONDED: Cr Kelly Joy

That the Committee (acting under delegation from Council) grants the leave of absence for Cr Kate McKay.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

4 Declarations of conflict of interest

Nil

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Planning and Consultation Committee Minutes 14 October 2025

5. Confirmation of Minutes

COM.001/25 Confirmation of Minutes Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting held Tuesday 9 September 2025

Confirmation of the Minutes of the Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 9 September 2025.

Committee Resolution

MOVED: Cr Peter Perkins

SECONDED: Cr Grant Brooker

That the Committee (acting under delegation from Council) confirms the Minutes of the Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting held on Tuesday 9 September 2025 (Attachment 1).

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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Planning and Consultation Committee Minutes 14 October 2025

6. Officers’ reports

PCC.018/25 Parks & Open Space Service Standards

Item: Consultation Matter

Distribution: Public

Manager: Claire Quinlan, Chief Operating Officer

Author: Heath Gillett, Manager Operations Centre

Summary

The Parks & Open Space Service Standards (POSSS) is intended to provide the community with a high-level overview of the information, especially in relation to programmed works and maintenance / defect levels.

The desired outcome of the Parks & Open Space Service Standards is to see it used to articulate, communicate and educate all on what, when and how Open Space Infrastructure and Assets are managed and maintained.

This report creates transparency in relation to the Open Space budget but is not a decision-making document for capital works or policy.

The following person addressed the Committee with respect to this item:

1 Don Vincent, President, on behalf of Friends of Nillumbik.

Committee Resolution

MOVED: Cr Peter Perkins

SECONDED: Cr Kelly Joy

That the Committee (acting under delegation from Council):

1. Notes the Park and Open Space Service Standards (Attachment 1) that provide:

a) Definitions of programs and maintenance

b) Understanding of intervention levels

c) Transparency in regard to expectations

2. Authorises the Chief Operating Officer to develop and implement a Communication Plan to support an education and promotion campaign on the Parks and Open Space Service Standards.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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Planning and Consultation Committee Minutes 14 October 2025

6. Officers’ reports

PCC.019/25 Hurstbridge Dog Park Upgrade Community Consultation

Item: Consultation Matter

Distribution: Public

Manager: Claire Quinlan, Chief Operating Officer

Author: Stewart Broussard, Manager Recreation and Leisure

Summary

This report presents and considers public submissions received through community consultation regarding the Hurstbridge Dog Park Upgrade Concept Plan.

Committee Resolution

MOVED: Cr Kelly Joy

SECONDED: Cr Peter Perkins

That the Committee (acting under delegation from Council):

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

2. Thanks the submitters for providing Council with feedback on this important project.

3. Considers the comments contained in the submissions.

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

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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Planning and Consultation Committee Meeting Minutes 14 October 2025

7. Supplementary and urgent business

Committee Resolution

MOVED: Cr Peter Perkins

SECONDED: Cr Kim Cope

That the Committee (acting under delegation from Council) in accordance with Clause 57 of the Governance Rule Meeting Procedure, admit the item of urgent business relating to the Victorian carded play trial for electronic gaming machines..

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

PCC.020/25 Victorian carded play trial for electronic gaming machines

Item: Consultation Matter

Distribution: Public

Manager: Corrienne Nichols, Director Communities

Author: Nichole Johnson, Manager Community Partnerships

Summary

The Alliance for Gambling Reform and the City of Monash have withdrawn their support for the Victorian government’s trial for mandatory carded play for electronic gaming machines (EGM’s) and have invited Councils to support their stance.

Committee Resolution

MOVED: Cr Grant Brooker

SECONDED: Cr Peter Perkins

That the Committee (acting under delegation from Council) approves the Mayor to co-sign the Alliance of Gambling Reform and Monash joint letter to the Minister for Casino Gaming and Liquor Regulation and the Minister for Local Government, advocating for strong consumer protections and transparency.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Attachments

1.	Letter to Ministers Co-signed with Alliance and Monash
2 .	Template letter to Members of Parliament
3 .	Example of Motion Recommendations

Discussion

1. In May 2025, the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 was passed in Parliament.

2. Following this the Victorian Government announced a trial from May to June 2025 of mandatory pre-commitment systems known as ‘carded play’ for the local government areas of Monash, Greater Dandenong and Ballarat. These Councils and the broader sector were not consulted.

3. Since the initial announcement of the trial, the State Government have removed the mandatory pre-commitment and binding loss limits, the timeframes for the trial, transparency around the evaluation of the proposed trial and the inclusion of other types of technology.

4. Optional pre-commitment and cashless play is largely viewed as ineffective in addressing gambling harm.

Related Council decisions

5. The Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy 2016-2021 was adopted at the 9 February 2016 Policy and Services Committee.

Options

6. Option 1: Co-sign the Alliance and Monash joint letter to Ministers (Attachment 1) – this option strongly aligns with Council’s commitment to harm minimisation and advocacy under the Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy and the Nillumbik Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-2029 in supporting Council’s role in promoting community health and safety. This option strengthens partnerships and demonstrates sector leadership. There is low resource requirement for this option and can be prepared within existing officer capacity. The deadline for co-signing has been extended to 20 October 2025.

Option 2: Send a separate letter to MPs and Ministers outlining Council’s position based on our current policies (Attachment 2) – this option strongly aligns with Council’s commitment to harm minimisation and advocacy under the Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy and the Nillumbik Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-2029 in supporting Council’s role in promoting community health and safety. This option further reinforces broad advocacy for safer regulations and equity in wellbeing outcomes and reinforces Council’s specific position and alignment with its commitments. There is low resource requirement for this option and can be prepared within existing officer capacity.

Option 3: Prepare a Council motion reaffirming Council’s stance and advocacy role (Attachment 3) – this option supports adherence to Council’s Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy, Nillumbik Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-2029 and Access Equity and Inclusion Policy. This option is consistent with Council’s harm minimisation approach, transparency and community wellbeing commitments. This option reflects Council’s role in educating and empowering the community and increases visibility and community awareness. There is moderate resources requirements for this option as officer coordination is required with both the Governance and Communications teams.

Option 4: Defer advocacy – this option partially aligns with Council’s harm-minimisation approach but may not reflect a proactive stance in relation to current policy commitments. This option allows alignment with future policy, however, may limit immediate influence. There is no resource requirement for this option.

Council plans and policies

7. This report directly supports the achievement of the Council Plan 2025-2029 strategy:

· Address the social determinants of health by supporting initiatives that promote safe housing, education, community connection and food environments.

8. Councils Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy recognises gambling as a public health issue and commits Council to harm minimisation, independence from gambling industry funding and supports advocacy for safer regulations.

9. The Nillumbik Health and Wellbeing Plan 2025-2029 Identifies ‘reducing harm from alcohol, drugs, vaping, tobacco and gambling’ as a strategic priority, including limiting opportunities for gambling and addressing its social and economic impacts.

10. The Access Equity and Inclusion Policy Commits Council to fair and equitable access to services and the promotion of community wellbeing, including addressing gambling harm, which disproportionately affects priority populations.

Access, Equity and Inclusion

11. Applying Nillumbik’s Access, Equity and Inclusion Policy to gambling harm reduction means ensuring that prevention, education and advocacy efforts are designed and delivered in ways that are inclusive, equitable and responsive to diverse community needs.

12. This includes recognising that gambling harm disproportionately affects people experiencing financial stress, social isolation, disability, or other forms of disadvantage, and that barriers such as stigma, digital exclusion and limited access to information can reduce help-seeking.

Sustainability implications

13. Not Applicable

Community engagement

14. Not Applicable

Innovation and continuous improvement

15. Not Applicable

Collaboration

16. Not Applicable

Budget considerations

17. Not Applicable

Relevant law

18. Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024

Regional, state and national plans and policies

19. Not Applicable

Conflicts of interest

20. 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.

8. Confidential reports

Nil

9. Close of Meeting

The meeting closed at 7.37pm.

Confirmed: _______________________________

Cr Chairperson Planning Matters

Cr , Chairperson Consultation Matters