Agenda and minutes

In accordance with Chapter 7, Rule 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 7, Rule 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no disclosures of conflicts of interest made for this meeting.

Warburton Bike Park: Trail Opening

The Deputy Mayor attended the Warburton Bike Park opening of the first 30kms of trail on 19 July 2025. The Deputy Mayor commented on the fantastic turnout and the excitement in the community regarding the opening. The Deputy Mayor thanked all the Officers who had been involved in the planning and development of the Warburton Bike Park.

In Favour:   Cr Higgins, Cr Cox. Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott, Cr Mazzarella,
Cr McAllister, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rules 57 and 59, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rules 57 and 59, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL

QUESTION 1

Ivor Wolstencroft of Warburton asked;

Residents are concerned about carparking provision and maintenance at Woolworths Yarra Junction. Is the council concerned? This is our "mini Chirnside Park". If the developer was to put forward a proposal for such a development today would council insist that underground parking be provided as allocated car parking appears inadequate for current use?

Supporting information and context

On a busy Saturday morning the car park is full and dangerous to negotiate. Overflow parking is provided outside the title of the owner e.g. behind McMaths, in council provided car parking at the library and along Yarra St.

Acting Director Planning and Sustainable Futures, Amanda Kern

Thank you for your question, Ivor.

During the development of the Council adopted Yarra Junction Place Plan, opportunities were identified to further develop a public parking strategy specifically for Yarra Junction. 

Any potential Yarra Junction parking strategy would be subject to future budget consideration of Council and doesn't currently have a set start date. If prioritised by Council the Yarra Junction parking strategy would provide an opportunity for community input and feedback. The strategy would also aim to provide parking solutions to address accessible and short-term parking solutions in the area, including the Woolworths parking area.

For completeness, I would like to note that at the privately owned Woolworths Yarra Junction site, there is a current planning application, YR-2025/110 which proposes alterations and additions to an existing commercial building, including a reduction in the car parking provision.

As this is not a new development, rather it is the renovation of an existing building, Council can't retrospectively apply the current planning scheme to established buildings or developments like this, and such comparisons are fraught. 

Community members with specific concerns or feedback about the proposal development are currently able to lodge an objection, which will then be considered as officers assess the proposal against the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme.

 QUESTION 2

Anonymous asked;

One of the key recommendations in the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission was to underground powerlines in high-risk areas. I am subsequently enquiring as to whether there are still plans to underground the powerlines in Warburton.

Given council's emphasis on luring tourists to Warburton, undergrounding would also aesthetically enhance the area, cleaning up what are currently obstructed views from almost every roadside vantage point.

Director Built Environment and Infrastructure, Hjalmar Philipp

Thank you for your question.

Powerlines are the responsibility of Ausnet Services.

While significant work was undertaken by Ausnet in response to the Royal Commission recommendations, Council is not aware of any current plans by Ausnet to underground powerlines in Warburton.

Council have previously advocated to Ausnet about the importance of underground powerline for our many communities and were appropriate will continue to do so. Your query has also been forwarded to Ausnet and we  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rule 60, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Rule 60, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no Petitions received for this meeting.

SUMMARY

The proposal is for buildings and works to construct a two storey dwelling at the rear of existing dwelling on the land, construct a new carport for the existing dwelling, a two-lot subdivision and removal of vegetation. The proposed dwelling is a three (3) bedroom with two carparking spaces to be provided.

The application has undertaken multiple design amendments with subsequent multiple public notification processing. The application received twenty-eight (28) objections submissions. The key concerns raised relate to overdevelopment, loss of amenity, tree removal, height and scale, overlooking, possible AirB&B/short term accommodation use, parking and traffic and inaccuracies on the development plans.

Overall, the proposed development achieves an acceptable response to the relevant planning policies including the Planning Policy Framework, Zone, Overlays and provisions of the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr McAllister and Cr Ward spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:   Cr Higgins, Cr Cox. Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott, Cr Mazzarella,
Cr McAllister, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

SUMMARY

Amendment C212 proposes to implement Action 16 from the Monbulk Structure Plan (adopted by Council in 2017) and Action A29 from the Monbulk Urban Design Framework (adopted in 2023) by applying a Design and Development Overlay to the Monbulk Town Centre and introducing a planning policy for the Monbulk Township into the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme to guide new development in Monbulk.

The amendment was placed on public exhibition from 27 March until 28 April 2025 and three submissions were received. Of those, one submission was generally in support of the amendment, one submission made no comment, and the third submission opposed the amendment citing concerns regarding the development of two-three storey additions above shops in the Main Street and concerns that surrounding streets will be transformed into main roads.

Following a discussion with the opposing submitter it was found that their main concern related to height controls already in the planning scheme. Following discussion with the submitter they withdrew their submission.

This report discusses the submissions received to the amendment and recommends that Council adopt Amendment C212 with changes and following adoption, submit the amendment to the Minister for Planning for approval.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Ward spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:   Cr Higgins, Cr Cox. Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott, Cr Mazzarella,
Cr McAllister, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

In accordance with Chapter 3, Division 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with Chapter 3, Division 4, of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

SUMMARY

The 80th anniversary of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will be marked in August 2025. These tragic events, which occurred on August 6th and 9th, 1945, respectively, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people and had a profound and lasting impact on the survivors and their descendants.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Mcilwain, Cr Marriott and Cr Heenan spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:   Cr Higgins, Cr Cox. Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott, Cr Mazzarella,
Cr McAllister, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

There were no Items Through the Chair received for this meeting.

There were no Reports from Delegates received for this meeting.

In accordance with Clause 87 of the Meeting Procedures and Use of Common Seal Local Law 2015, as prescribed by Section 14(2)(c) of the Local Government Act 2020.

SUMMARY

It is requested that the following document be signed and sealed:

1.         Retirement Letter under Council Seal - Harry Harrison.

A letter under seal has been prepared in recognition of Harry Harrison who is retiring after 26 years of service with Yarra Ranges Council, working most recently in the role of Print Room Coordinator.

In accordance with Governance Rule 29.1, Cr Higgins, Cr Cox and Cr Heenan spoke to the Motion.

In Favour:   Cr Higgins, Cr Cox. Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott, Cr Mazzarella,
Cr McAllister, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

In Favour:   Cr Higgins, Cr Cox. Cr Heenan, Cr Marriott, Cr Mazzarella,
Cr McAllister, Cr Mcilwain and Cr Ward

Against:       Nil

In accordance with Chapter 3 Rule 24 of the Governance Rules developed by Council in accordance with section 60 of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no Urgent Business listed on the agenda for this meeting.

In accordance with section 66(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 2020.

In accordance with section 66(2)(a) of the Local Government Act 2020.

There were no Confidential Items listed on the agenda for this meeting.