- Agenda attachments September 7, 2026 (57.82 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
Cr Arnott
3. Confirmation of Minutes
That the Minutes of the Scheduled Meeting of Council held on 3 August 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. Open Space Policy
The Warrnambool City Council Open Space Policy applies to all open space under the management or ownership of Warrnambool City Council. It also applies to private land under agreement or negotiation to become future open space under the management or ownership of Warrnambool City Council.
The Warrnambool Open Space Policy 2026 expresses Council’s strategic policy in relation to the planning and delivery of open space.
The policy helps implement the Warrnambool Open Space Strategy 2026-2041 (OSS) and the Warrnambool Open Space Contributions Report (OSC) July 2026.
The OSS was adopted by Council in June 2026 and supersedes the Open Space Strategy 2014. The OSC Report was adopted by Council in August 2026 and does not supersede any previous contributions reports.
It is Council’s position that the open space network of Warrnambool should be: Accessible, adaptable, connected, efficient and sustainable, diverse, equitable, and protective of the environment.
Consultation with the Project Working Group (PWG) during the OSS review concluded that we should add ‘and sustainable’ to the strategic policy, where this had been excluded from the previous policy.
Key changes include the hierarchy of open space with the addition of pocket parks, a new policy statement, new objectives and terminology.
The OSC report implements new contribution rates under the Subdivision Act 1988 for subdivisions across the municipality.
Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):
That Council:
1. Revoke the Open Space Policy 2025.
2. Adopt the Open Space 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.
7.2. Fees And Charges Reduction Policy
This report presents the proposed Fees and Charges Reduction Policy.
The proposed policy establishes a governance framework for approval, administration, monitoring and reporting of fee reductions, discounts, concessions and waivers applied to Council's adopted Fees and Charges Schedule.
The policy introduces clear eligibility criteria, approval, segregation of duties, documentation standards and quarterly reporting obligations. It also establishes approval limits on the cumulative value of discounts and waivers to support the integrity of Council's adopted Budget and promote sound financial management practices.
The proposed policy aims to ensure that decisions to reduce, discount or waive fees and charges are made consistently, are aligned with Council's strategic objectives and community outcomes, and comply with Council's obligations under the Local Government Act 2020 and Council's financial management framework.
Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):
That Council:
1. Adopt the Fees and Charges Reduction Policy 2026.
2. Authorises the Chief Executive Officer to make minor administrative and editorial amendments to the Policy that do not materially alter its intent or operation.
7.3. Draft Operations Report, Financial Statements And Annual Performance 2025-2026
The purpose of this report is to present the draft 2025-2026 Performance Statement and Financial Statements to Council for in-principle approval as recommended by Council’s Audit and Risk Committee and in accordance with Section 99 of the Local Government Act 2020.
It further seeks to nominate two Councillors to have delegated authority to sign the annual accounts and performance statement on behalf of Council, once final sign off has been received from the Victorian Auditor General’s Office (VAGO).
This authorisation will enable Council to meet its statutory obligations for the presentation of its Annual Statements (as part of the Annual Report) to an open Council meeting by 31 October 2026. The Annual Report, which includes the Financial and Performance Statements, will return to Council for consideration at a future Council Meeting.
Also provided with this report for Council’s information is the draft Report of Operations, including governance information, which accompanies the Financial Statements and the Annual Performance Statement.
This report also seeks in-principle approval for the certifying of the Governance information by the Mayor and Chief Executive Officer.
Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):
That Council:
1. That Council approve in principle the 2025-2026 Financial Statements which have been subject to external audit by the Auditor-General's agent, with the outcomes also having been reviewed by Warrnambool City Council’s Audit & Risk Committee.
2. That Council approve in principle the 2025-2026 Performance Statement which has been subject to external audit by the Auditor-General's agent, with the outcomes also having been reviewed by Warrnambool City Council’s Audit & Risk Committee.
3. That Councillor Ben Blain and Councillor Matthew Walsh be delegated authority to certify the 2025-2026 Financial Statements, after any changes recommended by the review of audit from the Victorian Auditor General have been made.
4. That Councillor Ben Blain and Councillor Matthew Walsh be delegated authority to certify the 2025-2026 Performance Statement, after any changes by the review of audit from the Victorian Auditor General have been made.
5. That the Mayor Councillor Ben Blain and Chief Executive Officer Andrew Mason be authorised to certify the governance and management arrangements as contained in the final Operations Report.
7.4. Capital Works Report 2025-26
Each year, Warrnambool City Council undertakes a significant program of capital works to renew existing assets, upgrade infrastructure and deliver new facilities that support the needs of the community.
The program comprises projects approved through Council’s annual budget process, multi-year projects continuing from previous financial years, externally funded projects and renewal works identified through Asset Management Plans, asset condition information, service priorities and available funding.
The attached Capital Works Report 2025–2026 provides a community-focused overview of the breadth of infrastructure works delivered or progressed during the year. It explains the purpose and community benefit of these works, with a particular focus on roads, drainage, footpaths, bridges, buildings, beach access, playgrounds and public open space.
The report is intended to complement Council’s formal financial and performance reporting by presenting capital works outcomes in an accessible and visually engaging format.
Council supported the following recommendation (6-0):
That the Capital Works Program for 2025-26 Financial Year be received.
7.5. Active Transport Fund Grant Update
Following the successful application of the Australian Government's Active Transport Fund (ATF) Round 1 for the Industrial Precinct Footpath Construction Project, this report provides an update on the Australian Government's Active Transport Fund (ATF) Round 2 and outlines proposed projects for submission by Council.
The proposed projects have been selected to improve walking and cycling connectivity, address identified gaps within Warrnambool's active transport network and align with strategic planning documents, including the Principal Pedestrian Network (PPN).
Council supported the following recommendations (6-0):
That Council:
1. Endorses the submission of an application to the Australian Government Active Transport Fund for the;
a. Lake Pertobe Path Network (Gilles Street Pedestrian Rail Crossing to the Pertobe Road Underpass); and
b. Raglan Parade to Sherwood Park Station Link
2. Commits a Council co-contribution of up to $300,000 Ex GST, conditional upon the applications being successful;
3. Approves the co-contribution being funded from the General Reserve [or another identified funding source];
4. Notes that, if the application is successful, the project and associated grant income and Council contribution will be incorporated into the relevant Council budget through the applicable budget review/variation process; and
5. Authorises the Chief Executive Officer to submit the application, execute the funding agreement and undertake any administrative actions necessary to give effect to the resolution.
7.6. Middle Island Project Annual Report
The Annual Report 2025/2026 outlines the achievements and challenges of the Middle Island Project, highlights ongoing community and partner support, and provides an update on the Maremma guardian dog team.
The Middle Island Project has contributed to the conservation of the Middle Island little penguin (Eudyptula minor) colony for twenty-one years. Known as “The Warrnambool Method” for wildlife conservation, the project’s innovative use of Maremma guardian dogs to protect a colony of wild little penguins was world-first.
The Middle Island Project is a partnership between Warrnambool City Council, Warrnambool Coastcare Landcare Network, Deakin University, Warrnambool Field Naturalists Club, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and Parks Victoria. Major sponsors include Petstock Warrnambool, The Vet Group, and Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum.
The Middle Island Project is continually evolving and the ability to effectively complete operational requirements has become increasingly difficult over the previous four years due to a combination of factors.
Council officers continue to investigate a range of operational changes that may enable ongoing conservation and protection of the little penguins on Middle Island, ensure the wellbeing of the Maremma Dogs involved in the guardian dog program and best use of Council and Community resources.
Council supported the following recommendation (6-0):
That Council:
That Council accepts the 2025/2026 Middle Island Project Annual Report (Attachment 1) for publication on “Warrnambool Penguins” webpage and distribution to stakeholders.
7.7. 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 10 August 2026 – refer Attachment 1;
2. Monday 17 August 2026 – refer Attachment 2;
3. Monday 24 August 2026 – refer Attachment 3;
4. Monday 31 August 2026 – refer Attachment 4.
Council supported the following recommendation (6-0):
That the record of the Informal Meetings of Council held on 10, 17, 24 and 31 August 2026, be received.
7.15. 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, with the amendment that Cr Blain did not attend the student leaders event on September 3.
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