- Agenda attachments March 2, 2026 (30.46 MB)
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 2 February 2026, be confirmed. (7-0)
4. Declaration by Councillors and Officers of any Conflict of Interest in any Item on the Agenda
Cr Benter Declared a Conflict of Interest in Item 7.5. Cr Jellie Declared a Conflict of Interest in Item 7.8.
5. Mayoral Presentation
6. Public Question Time
7.1. Warrnambool Retail Strategy
The Strategy outlines directions and actions across four major strategic themes, including land use planning, engagement and advocacy, economic development, and place making and infrastructure.
The Strategy also proposes a framework titled ‘the Warrnambool Retail and Service Centres Framework’ which builds on the City’s existing strengths to envisage a retail and service sector structure comprising regionally significant visitor oriented and locally focused Centres and uses. The framework identifies existing and prospective retail centres. These include the City Centre, Eastern Activity Centre, Dennington, Northpoint Village as well as East of Aberline Neighbourhood Activity Centre, Foreshore Precinct Activity Node, and Future Convenience Centres (Hopkins Heights and North of the Merri areas).
The Strategy projects additional 24,240 m2 (Base Case) to 36,200 m2 (High Case) floor space demand by 2046. The demand model draws from State Government, REMPLAN and other population projections.
Once the Strategy is adopted by Council, a planning scheme amendment will be prepared for submission to the Minister for Planning for authorisation.
Council supported the following recommendations (7-0):
1. That the Warrnambool Retail Strategy be adopted by Council.
2. Pursuant to Section 8A of the Planning and Environment Act 1987, request authorisation from the Minister for Planning to prepare a planning scheme amendment to implement the Warrnambool Retail Strategy into the Warrnambool Planning Scheme.
3. Following authorisation from the Minister for Planning in accordance with Section 9 of the Planning and Environment Act, prepare and exhibit an amendment to the Warrnambool Planning Scheme to implement the Warrnambool Retail Strategy into the planning scheme.
7.2. Council Plan 2025-2029: Annual Action Plan Q2
This report reflects the progress and achievements of a broad range of actions outlined in the Annual Action Plan for the 2025–2026 financial year.
These actions provide a snapshot of the wide-ranging works, services and projects delivered by the organisation for the benefit of the community.
The actions support the strategies undertaken by Council to achieve its 2025–2029 vision: “We are a thriving regional leader, rich in opportunities and committed to fostering a sustainable and inclusive lifestyle.”
Council supported the following recommendations (7-0):
That the Annual Action Plan 2025 – 2026: October – December (Quarter 2), be received.
7.3. Quarterly Financial Report Q2
The Quarterly Financial Report compares actual financial results to Forecast for the period ending 31 December 2025 (refer attachment).
The Forecast includes remediation actions from the Q1 result with a net favourable adjustment of $2.7m to the approved budget.
Quarter 2 demonstrates a solid delivery against the revised forecast position and adherence to the agreed corrective actions including savings with a net favourable recurrent result of $663k. This outcome reflects a stronger than anticipated revenue performance ($425k) not reflected in the forecast combined with planned savings in employee costs ($242k) ahead of forecast. The Forecast capital savings have been enacted with an additional favourable outcome of $156k against the adjusted Forecast due to receiving a capital grant ($356k) delivered in prior years.
Operational project results are aligned with forecast expectations.
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.
The CEO is required to make a statement in the second quarterly statement of the year as to whether a revised budget is required. A revised budget is not required for 2025-26.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That the October to December 2025 Quarterly Financial Report be received.
7.4. MAV State Council Motion
The next Municipal Association of Victoria State Council will occur on Friday 29 May 2026. This presents an opportunity for Warrnambool to submit a motion to State Council for consideration.
This would support Council’s role as a regional leader and an advocate for our community’s' interests.
Issues which Council may submit a motion on are a revenue-neutral pathway to reallocate revenue currently collected in the waste charge to ensure the sustainability of key services like street and beach cleaning, and the establishment of an aquatic infrastructure grant program.
Council supported the following recommendations (7-0):
That Council submit the following motion to the May 2026 meeting of the Municipal Association of Victoria State Council:
That the MAV calls on the State Government to provide a clear, revenue-neutral pathway for councils to transfer costs that are no longer eligible to be funded through the waste service charge into general rates, where the transfer does not increase the total rates and charges payable by ratepayers.
7.5. Contract Award 2026037 - 2025/26 Resurfacing Program (Mav Panel)
The 2025/26 Resurfacing Program is identified as part of Council's 25/26 Capital Works Program.
This program will deliver a renewed road surface across various sites, totaling approx. 13,400m2.
The newly formed Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) procurement panel ensures value-based and prompt completion of required works with greater access to suitably qualified and experienced suppliers.
A tender evaluation was completed by the Tender Evaluation Panel and determined that Fulton Hogan Industries Pty Ltd is the recommended tenderer to be awarded the Contract as they are considered to be the best value for money and had the highest weighted score.
Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):
That Council:
1. Award Contract No. 2026037 to Fulton Hogan Industries Pty Ltd, for the tendered amount of $743,658.00 excluding GST, with a total award value of $818,024.46 including GST.
2. Accept Provisional Item value rates for additional material supply, to the value of $50,000 (excl GST) as directed by Superintendent to undertake any extra work, if required.
3. Authorise the CEO to sign, seal and vary the contract, as required.
7.6. Contract Award 2026039 – Koroit Street/Ryot Street Roundabout Construction
The purpose of this report is to provide information on Tender 2026039 – Koroit – Ryot Roundabout Construction and recommend award of contract to Duggans Civil Pty Ltd.
Council publicly advertised a tender for the Construction of the Koroit-Ryot Roundabout on Friday 16 January 2026 and was open to submission for a period of three (3) weeks.
A tender evaluation was completed by the Tender Evaluation Panel and determined that Duggan Civil Pty Ltd is the recommended tenderer to be awarded the Contract as they presented the best value for money submission and had the highest weighted score.
Council supported the following recommendations (7-0):
That Council:
Award Contract No. 2026039 to Duggan Civil Pty Ltd, for the tendered amount of $748,859.00 excluding GST, with a total delegated award value of $823,744.90 including GST.
2. Accept Provisional Item value of $37,000 excluding GST for Dayworks, installation of streetlighting infrastructure, and removal & disposal of rock as directed by Superintendent to undertake any extra work, if required.
3. Authorise the CEO to sign, seal and vary the contract as required.
7.7. Contract Award 2026001 - 2025/26 Industrial Precinct Footpath Construction
Warrnambool City Council (Council) invited tenders from suitably qualified and equipped companies for the completion of a new footpath and associated works within the Industrial Precinct area of Merrivale, Warrnambool.
This project will deliver approximately 1700lm of standard footpath, utilising the Active Transport Fund contribution to the project of $267,000.00, which was successfully obtained through a grant application to link residential areas, public open space and public transport to the commercial area.
Council supported the following recommendations (7-0):
That Council:
1. Award Contract No. 2026001 to Greencon Pty Ltd, for the tendered amount of $466,037.00 excluding GST, with a total award value of $512,640.70 including GST.
2. Accept Provisional Item value rates for additional material supply, to the value of $30,000 (excl GST) as directed by Superintendent to undertake any extra work, if required.
3. Authorise the CEO to sign, seal and vary the contract, as required.
7.8. Cycling Reference Group Appointment Of New Members
The Cycling Reference Group (CRG) was formed in 2016. The CRG includes members of the community who are active members of the local cycling community, be that recreational; road racing; road biking; mountain biking; commuter; and/or cycling with children, youth, or older people.
The CRG last had community member appointments made in December 2023 and their tenure ran until 30 November 2025.
An expression of interest process was undertaken in December 2025 to seek new members of the CRG, and recommendations for appointment are now submitted to the Council for consideration.
Three (3) original members have been recommended for re-appointment for another term; and a recommendation to appoint five (5) new members to the Cycling Reference Group is proposed.
Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):
That Council:
1. Receive and note the Cycling Reference Group Review 2023-25 Report (Attachment 1);
2. Thank the concluding members of the Cycling Reference Group for their contributions to group over the past two years;
3. Appoint the following people to the Cycling Reference Group for the period 2 March 2026 – 30 November 2028:
Re-appointed Members
- Richard Adams
- Helen Ryan
- Leigh Monaghan
New Members
- Gavin Prentice
- Bullen Mabior
- Tahnee Dunlop
- Lynn Hudson
- David McKean
7.9. 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 9 February 2026 – Refer Attachment 1.
2. Monday 16 February 2026 – refer Attachment 2.
3. Monday 23 February 2026 – refer Attachment 3.
Council supported the following recommendation (7-0):
That the record of the Informal Meetings of Council held on 9 February, 16 February and 23 February 2026 be received.
7.10. 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 receive, with the correction of “April 1” to “March 1”.
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