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
None.
3. Confirmation of Minutes
That the Minutes of the Scheduled Meeting of Council held on 1 December 2025, be confirmed. (7-0)
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. Chief Executive Officer Employment And Remuneration Policy 2026
Section 45 of the Local Government Act 2020 requires Council to develop, adopt and keep in force a Chief Executive Officer Employment and Remuneration Policy. Warrnambool City Council’s current policy is due for review.
Following review, officers have determined that the policy remains fit for purpose, requiring only minor administrative amendments. This report recommends revoking the Chief Executive Officer Employment and Remuneration Policy 2024 and adopting the updated Chief Executive Officer Employment and Remuneration Policy 2026.
The Operation Sandon Report includes recommendations regarding CEO employment arrangements which are currently being considered by the Minister for Local Government. Should these recommendations be implemented, Council may be required to undertake an out-of-cycle review to ensure the policy remains compliant.
Council supported the following recommendations (7-0):
That Council:
1. Revoke the Chief Executive Officer Employment and Remuneration Policy 2024; and
2. Adopt the Chief Executive Officer Employment and Remuneration Policy 2026.
7.2. Business Case For The Redevelopment Of AquaZone
AquaZone Aquatic & Leisure Centre is Warrnambool’s only major public aquatic and leisure facility, servicing Warrnambool and the wider community for over 60 years.
AquaZone attracts more than 200,000 visits annually, supporting families, schools, sporting clubs, older adults, and people with disabilities.
Key components of the facility, including the outdoor 50-metre pool and supporting plant, have reached the end of their useful life, placing the future of this vital community asset at risk. Ageing infrastructure limits accessibility, safety, and inclusivity, while capacity constraints restrict AquaZone’s ability to meet growing demand and host regional aquatic events. Without investment, Warrnambool faces the loss of its only public aquatic facility, with significant social, health, and economic consequences.
Following extensive community engagement and strategic analysis, Council endorsed the redevelopment of AquaZone on its existing site as the preferred option in 2024. Deloitte has been engaged to prepare this Business Case, which demonstrates the urgent need for investment and outlines a solution that delivers modern, accessible, and sustainable facilities aligned with State and Commonwealth policy objectives.
The proposed redevelopment will:
• Upgrade core aquatic infrastructure, including the outdoor 50-metre pool.
• Deliver inclusive design features to meet accessibility standards.
• Expand health, fitness, and community spaces.
• Incorporate environmentally sustainable design to reduce operating costs and emissions.
The Business Case outlines three options that can be presented for future funding opportunities and advocacy efforts at a State and Federal level.
Council supported the following recommendations (7-0):
1. That Council endorse the Business Case for use in advocacy efforts, noting that a Two-Stage Redevelopment is the recommended option.
2. That a thorough asset management plan of the current facility is formulated to address immediate needs of the facility, whilst funding is sought.
7.3. Brierly Recreation And Wellbeing Hub - Revised Business Case
The Brierly Recreation and Wellbeing Hub will provide community infrastructure for the existing and growing northeast corridor of the city. It has been a priority for Council for several years with, most recently, a Business Case developed to provide an evidence base on the demand for the facility and to support funding opportunities.
In 2024, the Brierly Sports and Community Hub was unsuccessful in obtaining funds via the grant application submitted to the Federal Government's Growing Regions Fund - Round 2.
Following feedback from Council, the plans for the Brierly Sports and Community Hub were revised, reducing the size and scale of the facility and the option to consider a staged approach to deliver the sports facility initially, before progressing to develop the adjacent community hub.
In September 2025, an application for the Regional Partnerships and Precincts Fund commenced using the revised endorsed plans; however, this was not completed due to the funding round pausing and not reopening, mid application. Significant progress was made on the grant application prior to the round pausing. During the application process, the Project Control Group agreed to change the name of the hub from the Brierly Sports and Community Hub to the Brierly Recreation and Wellbeing Hub.
The Business Case has been updated to reflect the change in scope and an estimated project timeline for 2027–2030.
The delay in the project program timeline has increased the estimated project cost from $13.2 million to $16.3 million.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That Council endorse the Business Case for use in advocacy efforts.
7.4. Cycling Reference Group Minutes 12 November 2025
This report relates to the Cycling Reference Group meeting, held Wednesday 12 November 2025, with a range of items discussed.
Key items from the meeting include discussion on the endorsed work plan, Council strategy tie-in and the review of upcoming capital projects.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That the record of the Cycling Reference Group meeting held on 12 November 2025, be received.
7.5. Advisory Committee Reports
This report contains the record of one Advisory Committee meeting.
Minutes of Planning Advisory Committee meeting held on 25 November 2025 – refer Attachment 1.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That the Minutes of the Planning Advisory Committee meeting held on 25 November 2025, be received.
7.6. 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 8 December 2025 – refer Attachment 1.
2. Monday 15 December 2025 – refer Attachment 2.
3. Monday 19 January 2026 – refer Attachment 3.
4. Tuesday 27 January 2026 – refer Attachment 4.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That the records of the Informal Meetings of Council held on 8 and 15 December 2025 and 19 and 27 January 2026, be received.
7.7. 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 (7-0):
That the Mayoral & Chief Executive Officer Council Activities – Summary Report be received.
8. Notice of Motion
9. General Business
10. Urgent Business
11. Suspension Of Standing Orders
12. Section 66 Confidential Meeting
13. Resolution To Re-Open Meeting
14. Close Of Meeting