Monday 1 June 2026

For more information and appendices for each item, view the Council Meeting Agenda above.

The below summary is unconfirmed until the Minutes of the Meeting are accepted by Council.

1. Opening Prayer & Original Custodians Statement

2. Apologies

Cr Jellie

3. Confirmation of Minutes

That the Minutes of the Scheduled Meeting of Council and the Hearings Meeting held on 4 May 2026, be confirmed. (6-0)

4. Declaration by Councillors and Officers of any Conflict of Interest in any Item on the Agenda

None.

5. Mayoral Presentation

6. Public Question Time

7.1. Warrnambool City Council: Budget 2026-2027

In accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2020 (sections 94 and 96), Warrnambool City Council has prepared the Budget for the 2026–2027 financial year, including the allocation of resources over the next four years. This Budget aligns with the vision and objectives outlined in the Council Plan, supporting the goal of making “Warrnambool a thriving regional leader, rich in opportunities and committed to fostering a sustainable and inclusive lifestyle.”

The budget has been developed in line with best practice principles, adhering to the Local Government (Planning & Reporting) Regulations 2020. It includes:

• Financial Statements.

• Services and initiatives data.

• Rating and borrowings data.

• Proposed fees and charges for 2026-2027.

In May, Council endorsed the release of the draft Budget to the community for feedback and received two submissions, which are discussed below.

This Budget has been prepared for adoption by Council in line with Section 94 of the Local Government Act (2020) which requires Council to adopt an annual budget by 30 June of each year.

Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):

1. Adopt the Warrnambool City Council 2026-2027 Budget as presented in Attachment 1, Sections 1- 6, to this report.

2. Approve the 2026-2027 Fees and Charges as set out in Attachment 1, Section 6, to this report.

3. Note the public submissions as presented in this report.

4. Declares the amount of rates and charges to be raised as follows: 

(*) - Rated at $ value 

5. Declares that rates, rating differentials and charges for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 align with Council’s Revenue and Rating Plan and will be applied as outlined in section 4.1 of the budget.

6. Notes that rates and charges must be paid by four instalments made on or before the following dates:

a. Instalment 1 – 30 September 2026

b. Instalment 2 – 30 November 2026

c. Instalment 3 – 28 February 2027

d. Instalment 4 – 31 May 2027

7. Requires that any person pays interest on any amounts of rates and charges which:

a. That person is liable to pay; and

b. Have not been paid by the dates specified for their payment; and

c. Are not specifically waived as part of Council’s Hardship Provisions.

8. Authorise the Manager Financial Services to levy and recover the rates and charges in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020. 

9. That Cultural and recreational Land be levied in accordance with section 4(1)(3) of the Cultural and Recreational Lands Act 1963, the amounts payable in respect of recreational lands under this act shall be in accordance with the attached budget document. 

10. That no incentives be offered or declared for early payment of rates or charges.

7.2 Annual Action Plan 2026-2027

Council is required under Section 90 of the Local Government Act (2020), to prepare and approve a Council Plan by 31 October following a general election. The four-year Council Plan is the feature document in Council’s suite of strategic planning documents and is formulated to guide the work of Council over the next four years.

The Council Plan is accompanied by a series of Annual Action Plans to cover the four-year life of the plan. A draft Annual Action Plan for 2026-2027 has been prepared and includes a total of 104 actions. The draft Annual Action Plan is developed to deliver the objectives of the Council Plan with resources allocated via the Council Budget.

A community engagement process to inform the development of the 2026-2027 Budget and the Council Plan’s Annual Action Plan 2026-2027 was conducted over November and December 2025.

The engagement comprised two main components: an online/print survey and a series of listening posts at different locations within the municipality.

The online survey generated 29 responses while the listening posts - held in Dennington, West Warrnambool, Liebig Street, Woodford and Allansford - recorded 69 suggestions. The online survey asked respondents to consider and prioritise the 12 budget principles and guides provided by the Finance Unit.

The top three leading principles identified by respondents were:

• Asset management – prioritise asset renewal over new investment ensuring that our infrastructure is well maintained.

• Rethink existing services to identify savings, efficiency, value to the community and ensure continued relevance.

• Rates – keeping rate increases within the rate cap.

At its May meeting Council released draft Annual Action Plan for public exhibition and community feedback. No additional feedback was received.

Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):

That Council adopt the Warrnambool City Council Annual Action Plan 2026-2027. 

7.3. Revenue And Rating Plan 2025-2029 (Revised June 2026)

Section 93 of the Local Government Act 2020 requires a Council to prepare and adopt a Revenue and Rating Plan by the 30 June after a general election for a period of at least the next 4 financial years. The Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 was adopted by Council on 2 June 2025.

The purpose of the Revenue and Rating Plan is to determine the most appropriate revenue and rating approach for the Warrnambool City Council which, in conjunction with other income sources will provide the strategic basis for adequate financing of the objectives outlined in the Council Plan and that is consistent with the legislation relating to the State Governments “Fair Go Rates System” introduced in 2016 which included rate capping.

The Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 has been reviewed to confirm alignment with legislative requirements and consistency with other key strategic documents, including the Budget.

The Revenue and Rating Plan remain significantly the same and seeks to provide consistency and certainty as to Councils rating framework. The revised plan provides adequate reference to the current legislative framework, including changes that reflect the recently gazetted Ministerial Guidelines for Rates and Charges.

The draft plan was presented for community consultation through public exhibition alongside the annual budget and related strategic documents. No submissions or feedback were received through the consultation process. 

Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):

That Council:

1. Revoke the Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029.

2. Adopt the Revenue and Rating Plan 2025-2029 (Revised June 2026). 

7.4. Borrowings Policy 2026

Borrowing activities are governed by the Local Government Act 2020, which provides the legislative framework for Council to borrow and requires that all borrowings be approved by Council through the annual or revised budget process. The Act also requires borrowing decisions to be managed in a manner that supports long-term financial sustainability, transparency, prudent financial management, and intergenerational equity.

The existing Borrowing Strategy 2021 has been reviewed and updated to align with the requirements and principles of the Local Government Act 2020. The key underlying borrowing principles remain broadly unchanged.

The draft policy was made available for community consultation through public exhibition alongside the annual budget, annual action plan, and related reporting documents. No community submissions or feedback were received during the consultation period.

Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):

That Council

1. Revoke the Borrowings Strategy 2021.

2. Adopt the Borrowings Policy 2026.

3. Authorises the Chief Executive Officer to make minor administrative and editorial amendments to the Policy that do not materially alter its intent or operations.

7.5. Investment Policy 2026

Council is required to invest surplus funds in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020, ensuring public funds are managed prudently and responsibly on behalf of the community.

The Investment Policy has been reviewed and updated to maintain compliance with legislative requirements, while continuing to support a balanced approach to investment security, liquidity, and investment returns. The key underlying investment principles remain broadly unchanged.

The draft policy was presented for community consultation through public exhibition alongside the annual budget and related strategic documents. No submissions or feedback were received through the consultation process.

Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):

That Council

1. Revoke the Investment Policy 2021.

2. Adopt the Investment Policy 2026.

3. Authorises the Chief Executive Officer to make minor administrative and editorial amendments to the Policy that do not materially alter its intent or operation. 

7.6. Child Safety & Wellbeing Policy 2026

From 23 February 2026, responsibility for administering and regulating Victoria’s Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme transferred from the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) to the Social Services Regulator (SSR) as part of state‑wide child safety reforms.

The reform does not change the underlying legal obligations for organisations working with children.

However, it consolidates key child‑safety functions (including Working with Children Checks and worker exclusion powers) under a single regulator, with enhanced information‑sharing and compliance powers.

For Council, the immediate impact is primarily administrative and governance‑related, requiring updates to the reporting pathways listed within the current Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy.

Council supported the following recommendation (6-0):

That Council:

1. Revoke the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy 2025.

2. Adopt the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy 2026.

3. Authorises the Chief Executive Officer to make minor administrative and editorial amendments to the Policy that do not materially alter its intent or operation. 

7.7. Warrnambool Open Space Strategy 2026-41

The Warrnambool Open Space Project includes three components:

 – Update of the 2014 Open Space Strategy (OSS)

 – Development of an Open Space Contributions Policy

 – Preparation of planning scheme amendment documentation

The Open Space Strategy 2026-41 is complete and is recommended for adoption.

The Strategy sets a 15-year framework (to 2041) to guide open space planning, investment, and delivery.

Public exhibition of the draft strategy commenced in the week of 16 March 2026, seeking final community and stakeholder feedback. Public exhibition further tested the vision, principles, hierarchy, precinct planning, and implementation actions.

Council received a total of 43 responses from the community and stakeholders. This feedback has further informed input into the strategy.

Council supported the following recommendation (6-0):

That Council adopt the Open Space Strategy 2026-41.

7.8. Quarterly Financial Report (January - March 2026)

The Quarterly Financial Report compares actual financial results to Forecast for the period ending 31 March 2026.

Council has delivered a strong result against the revised forecast position, with a net favourable budget outcome of $3.2m. This result reflects stronger than anticipated recurrent operations, including improved revenue performance against the forecast, together with savings in employee costs of $967k ahead of forecast expectations. Operational project outcomes remain broadly aligned with forecast assumptions. The result was further supported by favourable capital revenue of $1.3m associated with the sale of the Koroit Street Properties.

The report meets the requirements of section 97 of the Local Government Act 2020 to present a quarterly financial report to Council at a public meeting that compares actual results against budget.

Council supported the following recommendation (6-0):

That the Quarterly Financial Report (January to March 2026) be received.

7.9. Microsoft Licensing Procurement

This report seeks approval for the procurement and renewal of Microsoft licensing to support Warrnambool City Council’s core IT systems. Council relies on Microsoft technologies for essential services including email, collaboration, telephony, and operating systems. The current Enterprise Agreement has reached end of term, and a transition to a more flexible and cost effective licensing model is proposed through a combination of a Microsoft Products and Services Agreement (MPSA) and Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) arrangements.

Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):

That Council

1. Awards Crayon Australia Pty Ltd, under the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Microsoft Arrangement (NPN2.17-3), for provision of Microsoft licensing under the Microsoft Products and Services Agreement (MPSA) and Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) agreement.

2. Approves the arrangement for the annual true-up of licenses for a maximum term of three (3) years based on the schedule of rates under the MAV arrangement.

3. Authorises the Chief Executive Officer to enter into these agreements.

7.10. Informal Meetings of Council Reports

Section 80A(2) of the Local Government Act 1989 required the record of an Assembly of Councillors to be reported at an ordinary Council meeting.

Assembly of Councillor Records are no longer a requirement in the Local Government Act 2020 as of 24 October 2020. However, under Council’s Governance Rules, a summary of the matters discussed at the meeting are required to be tabled at the next convenient Council meeting and recorded in the minutes of that Council meeting.

The records of the following Informal Meetings of Council are enclosed:

1. Monday 11 May 2026 – Refer Attachment 1.

2. Monday 18 May 2026 – Refer Attachment 2.

3. Monday 25 May 2026 – Refer Attachment 3. 

Council supported the following recommendation (6-0):

That the record of the Informal Meetings of Council held on 11, 18 and 25 May 2026, be received.

7.11. Mayoral & Chief Executive Officer Council Activities - Summary Report

This report summarises Mayoral and Chief Executive Officer Council activities since the last Ordinary Meeting which particularly relate to key social, economic and environmental issues of direct relevance to the Warrnambool community.

Council supported the following recommendation (6-0):

That the Mayoral & Chief Executive Officer Council Activities – Summary Report be received.

8. Notice of Motion

9. General Business

Cr Ziegeler acknowledged the staff Lighthouse Theatre regarding their excellent assistance for the Primary Performers production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.

10. Urgent Business

11. Suspension Of Standing Orders

12. Section 66 Confidential Meeting

13. Resolution To Re-Open Meeting

14. Close Of Meeting