Council meeting catchup - 19 March 2025

Item 7.1 Petition Response: Port Melbourne Life Saving Club - Outside Showers
A Petition containing 149 signatures via change.org and 29 physical signatures was received from residents and swimmers in the Port Melbourne area in late 2021.

Moved Crs Cunsolo/Halliday

That Council:

1.
Expresses it appreciation to the signatories of the petition.

2.
Thanks the signatories for their patience whilst Council has worked through the options for the provision, including investigations of the potential for warm water showers to be incorporated in a potential upgrade of the Port Melbourne Life Saving Club.

3.
Notes that a number of outdoor showers are provided along the foreshore for community members to utilise, particularly when visiting one of our many beaches.

4.
Notes that all outdoor public showers are plumbed for cold water use only.

5.
Resolves to consider implementing warm water showers, and secure storage options, as part of the upgrade of the existing public toilet block at Port Melbourne Beach (adjacent to Port Melbourne Lifesaving club).

6.
Resolves to consider secure storage options for swimmers in the short term.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

7.2 Petition Response: Request to not proceed with Edwards Park Public Amenities
A Petition containing 138 signatures relating to the proposed public amenities at Edwards Park was received and noted at the Council on 19 February 2025.

Moved Crs Makin/Cunsolo

That Council:

1. Notes that the Edwards Park Public Toilet Project remains on hold pending the decision of Council on the petition.

2. Notes that officers are currently assessing options and that these options will be considered by Council at a future meeting.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To provide Council with a regular update from the Chief Executive Officer regarding Council’s activities and performance.

Moved Crs Cunsolo/Halliday

That Council:

3.1 Notes the CEO Report – Issue 115 (provided as Attachment 1) 

3.2 Notes the amendment to CEO Report Q2 – Issue 114 (provided as Attachment 2)

3.3 Approves the budget request for $515,000 from the Sustainable Transport Reserve for Council’s contribution to the Beacon Road Active Transport Safety Upgrade.

3.4 Authorises the CEO, or their delegate, to make minor editorial amendments that do not substantially alter the content of the reports.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To present the Friends of Suai 2023/24 Annual Report (Attachment 1) and inform Council of the achievements of the friendship.

Moved Crs Buckingham/Thomann

That Council:

3.1 Notes the 2023/24 Friends of Suai Annual Report (Attachment 1).

3.2 Acknowledges the ongoing work of the Friends of Suai Community Reference Committee and thanks the Committee for its efforts.

3.3 Acknowledges the work of the Covalima Community Centre in Suai throughout 2023/24 and the role it has played in enhancing the lives of the Covalima community.

3.4 Acknowledges and thanks Carlene Harlock for the contribution and service they have provided to the communities of Port Phillip and Covalima through the role of Community Building Friends of Suai/Covalima and wishes them well with their future endeavours.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1
To recommend the award of Tender RFT000325, Sol Green Reserve Upgrade – Landscape Contractor to Melbourne Landscape Group Pty Ltd (ABN 76629019889) for the Sol Green Reserve Upgrade.

Moved Crs Makin/Halliday

That Council:
3.1 Awards Tender RFT000325 to Melbourne Landscape Group Pty Ltd for the construction of Sol Green Reserve Upgrade for a total award value of $957,209.55 excluding GST ($1,052,930.50 including GST).

3.2 Notes that the contract includes contingency and other project/service costs as detailed in confidential attachment 1.

3.3 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate, to execute the Contract Document on behalf of Council and to approve any variations to the total value detailed in confidential attachment 1.

3.4 Notes that construction works are expected to commence in late April 2025 and be completed by 29 August 2025.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

The Mayor adjourned the meeting for a break at 7:49 pm. The meeting resumed at 8:00 pm.

PURPOSE

1.1 To seek Council’s in-principal endorsement of one (1) motion to be put forward to the 2025 National General Assembly of Local Government (NGA) in June 2025, hosted by the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). The proposed motion calls on ALGA to take a greater role in advocating for community safety measures to support local communities.

Moved Crs Crawford/ Mears

That Council:

3.1 Endorses, in principle, submitting the following motion to the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), in collaboration with Glen Eira City Council, to the 2025 National General Assembly (NGA) held between 24 and 27 June 2025:
Strengthening community services to enhance wellbeing and safety - That the National General Assembly calls on the Australian Government to strengthen and invest in community services by:

3.1.1 Fostering community safety and social cohesion through dedicated funding streams and resources for local councils to implement evidence-based community safety initiatives that promote social cohesion and inclusivity. These initiatives may include infrastructure improvements (e.g. improved lighting, clear and effective signage, graffiti removal, safer pedestrian routes), delivery of events, community engagement programs, and anti-discrimination measures.

3.1.2 Providing provisions to upgrade and increase stock of public place CCTV and mobile CCTV trailers where appropriate. This will enhance public safety, deter criminal activities, and assist law enforcement agencies in monitoring and responding to incidents more effectively.

3.1.3 Improving community wellbeing through:
1. ensuring more inclusive and accessible public spaces;
2. dedicated graffiti mitigation and removal programs;
3. expanding funding for mental health support services and social cohesion programs;
4. partnering with councils to deliver sustainable, local programs that address the impacts of rising living costs, with a particular focus on supporting the most vulnerable in our communities; and
5. delivering increased funding to support homelessness services and prevention initiatives, ensuring individuals receive assistance before reaching crisis levels.

AMENDMENT
Moved Crs Makin/Halliday 

That Council adds a new part 3.2 to the recommendation:

3.2 This National General Assembly strongly urges the Australian Government to invest further in Australia's urban sustainable and active transport infrastructure projects. By prioritising these initiatives, the government can ensure the development of a robust, environmentally friendly transport network that meets the needs of current and future generations. Such investment will stimulate economic growth, improve the quality of life for all Australians, enhance connectivity and reduce carbon emissions.

3.3 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate, to make any minor amendments that do not change the material intent of the Motion.

A vote was taken and the AMENDMENT was CARRIED unanimously.

The AMENDMENT became the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION.

A vote was taken and the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To facilitate the adoption of the Council Internal Resolution Procedure (CIRP) which will be observed when dealing with alleged breaches of the Model Councillor Code of Conduct.

Moved Crs Thomann/Jay

That Council:

3.1 Adopt the Council Internal Resolution Procedure.

3.2 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate, to make minor changes that do not materially alter the Council Internal Resolution Procedure.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 For Council to consider the review of the CEO Employment and Remuneration Policy and the CEO Employment Matters Committee Terms of Reference.

Moved Crs Crawford/Thomann

That Council:

3.1 Adopts the CEO Employment and Remuneration Policy (Attachment 1), as required under Section 45 of the Local Government Act 2020.

3.2 Notes that the CEO Employment Matters Committee Terms of Reference (Attachment 2) has been reviewed and revised in conjunction with the review of this Policy.

AMENDMENT
Moved Crs Makin/Halliday

That Council adds a new part 3.3 to the recommendation:

3.3 Includes an additional line under clause 12.3 Appointment timeframe within the CEO Employment Matters Committee Terms of Reference, as follows: The tenure of an independent advisor is capped at a maximum period of six consecutive years e.g. 3 x2 year terms.

A vote was taken and the AMENDMENT was CARRIED unanimously.

The AMENDMENT became the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION.

A vote was taken and the SUBSTANTIVE MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To facilitate the adoption of the Terms of Reference documents for Council’s various advisory and reference committees.

The following questions were taken on notice during discussion of the item:

Councillor Halliday: Can officers confirm why the Youth Advisory Committee Terms of Reference is not included within this report?
Councillor Halliday: What is the reporting requirement for the Advisory Committees? They lodge their meetings within 14 days. Are these regularly published and what is the timeframe for publishing such reports?

Robyn Borley, Director Governance and Performance took the questions on notice.

Moved Crs Buckingham/Halliday

That Council:

3.1 Adopts the updated Terms of Reference documents for the:
• Business Advisory Group
• St Kilda Esplanade Market Reference Committee
• Friends of Suai Community Reference Committee
• LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee
• Multicultural Advisory Committee
• Older Persons Advisory Committee

3.2 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, or their delegate, to make minor changes that do not materially alter the Terms of Reference documents.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To provide Councillors with an update on the status of all Resolutions passed by Council at Council and Planning Committee Meetings between 1 October to 31 December 2024 and the status of actions that were previously reported as outstanding in the last quarterly status report.

1.2 To provide Council with an update on the status of Questions Taken on Notice during Council Meetings from 1 October to 31 December 2024.

Moved Crs Halliday/Makin

That Council:

3.1 Notes the implementation status of Council and Planning Committee Resolutions as contained in Attachments 1 and 2.

3.2 Notes the response status of questions taken on notice during Council Meetings as contained in Attachment 3.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 To report on the expenses incurred by Councillors during February 2025 in accordance with the Councillor Expenses and Support Policy.

MOVED Crs Hardy/Crawford

That Council:

3.1 Notes the monthly Councillor expenses report for February 2025 (attachment 1) and that this will be made available on Council’s website.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

PURPOSE

1.1 The purpose of this item is to report to Council written records of Informal Meetings of Councillors at the City of Port Phillip as required by the Governance Rules.

MOVED Crs Thomann/Mears

That Council

2.1 Receives and notes the written records of Informal Meetings of Council (attached) as required by the City of Port Phillip Governance Rules.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.

Councillor Makin reported as the Councillor delegate to the Metropolitan Transport Forum to advise that they have been attending the executive meetings of the forum as the recently appointed deputy chair. The forum are putting forward a submission to Infrastructure Victoria supporting many of the recommendations calling for a stronger investment from the State Government into sustainable and active transport across Melbourne and Victoria more broadly. This is really important in terms of our own advocacy here at the City of Port Phillip around the long promised but not yet delivered tram extensions into Fishermans Bend as well as bus route improvements, cycling improvements and the long awaited Melbourne Metro too.

Councillor Halliday reported as the Councillor delegate to the Housing First Board to report that themself and Councillor Jay took up their positions on both the Housing First Board and Port Phillip Housing Trust Board. They have attended their first meeting and look forward to their role in contributing to delivering affordable housing in the City of Port Phillip.

Councillor Jay reported as the Councillor delegate to the South Melbourne Market Committee which had their first meeting last week. It was fantastic to hear the great updates on the market the vision for the markets future. Councillor Jay complimented the Market team who do a great job.

Moved Crs Crawford/Cunsolo

That Council resolves to move into confidential to deal with the following matters pursuant to section 66(2) of the Local Government Act 2020:

17.1 Children's Infrastructure North St Kilda Decanting Proposal
3(1)(a) Council business information, being information that would prejudice the Council's position in commercial negotiations if prematurely released.

Reason: This report contains information that, if released prematurely, would compromise Council’s ability to undertake consultation successfully. Information contained in an attachment to this report contains confidential decisions of Council.

17.2 Melbourne Water Elwood Main Drain - financial agreement

3(1)(a) Council business information, being information that would prejudice the Council's position in commercial negotiations if prematurely released.

Reason: This report contains information that may impair Council’s ability to effectively negotiate contractual arrangements with preferred suppliers for future tenders on reconstruction works.

A vote was taken and the MOTION was CARRIED unanimously.