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Minutes

Council Meeting

MAROONDAH CITY COUNCIL

Monday

26 May 2025

 

 

 

 

UNCONFIRMED MINUTES

It should be noted that these minutes are not in their final form until Council has formally resolved to confirm them.

These minutes will be presented to Council for confirmation on 30 June 2025.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Council Meeting MINUTES                            1                                                      26 May 2025

 

 

Minutes of the Council Meeting held in the Council Chamber on Monday 26 May 2025 at 7:30pm.

 

PRESENT

 

Cr Kylie Spears (Mayor)               Wombolano Ward

Cr Linda Hancock (Deputy Mayor) Wonga Ward

Cr Chris Jones                            Barngeong Ward

Cr Catherine Gordon                  Bungalook Ward

Cr Paul Macdonald                     Tarralla Ward

Cr Daniella Heatherich               Wicklow Ward

Cr Rob Steane OAM                  Yarrunga Ward

 

Andrew Fuaux                            Acting Chief Executive Officer

Tony Rocca                                Chief Financial Officer

Adam Todorov                            Director Assets & Leisure

Marianne Di Giallonardo             Director People & Places

Angela Kechich                          Acting Director Strategy & Development

Emma Hills                                 Governance Officer

Dan Glass                                   Multimedia Officer

 

The Mayor, Cr Spears welcomed all to the May Council meeting.

 

The Acting Chief Executive Officer read the following Statement of Recording -

 

“Please note that this meeting is being recorded and streamed live on the internet. All care is taken to maintain your privacy; however, as a visitor in the public gallery, your presence may be recorded.”

 

A prayer was read by Swami Sunishthananda from the Vedanta Centre of Melbourne.

 

The Councillor Pledge was read by the Mayor.

 

The Acknowledgement of Country was read by the Mayor.

The Mayor acknowledged the passing of Dr Race Mathews, former Councillor of the Shire of Croydon.

The Mayor also acknowledged IDAHOBIT day held on 17 May 2025 and Reconciliation Week commencing on 27 May 2025.

Apologies

Cr Claire Rex                              Jubilee Ward

Cr Nathaniel Henderson             McAlpin Ward

 

Cr Henderson was granted a Leave of Absence at the 28 April 2025 Council Meeting

Declaration of Interests

Nil

Confirmation of MinuTes

Moved Cr Jones, Seconded Cr Macdonald                                                        40/25

That the minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Monday, 28 April 2025 be confirmed.

Carried

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Resident

Cuthbert Street, Heathmont

1.         “Does the Council have a completion date for an ‘urgently needed new footpath’ in Cuthbert Street Heathmont connecting Hardy Crescent and Marlborough Road?”

2.         “What is Council’s position for any injuries that may occur to any community member either walking on the road or nature strip with severe tree root damage?”

 

Director Assets & Leisure

“Maroondah, like other suburban Councils, has many areas without constructed footpaths. As such, Council significantly increased its annual capital works budget in 2017 to accelerate the provision of new footpaths, and this year will see record Council expenditure of over $1.8 million to provide around 4kms of new or expanded footpaths for over 20 streets across the City.

Council’s Principal Pedestrian Network (PPN) identifies Council’s long term plan and priorities for new footpaths, taking account of a range of critical criteria, and is published on our website. The southern side of Cuthbert Street has been identified as a missing link on the PPN for future construction, and has been included within Council's capital works program for funding in the 2028/29 financial year.

In relation to the second question, Council doesn't have a Statutory or common law duty to inspect, maintain or repair a naturestrip. However, in response to the concerns, Council Officers will arrange a detailed assessment of the area in question, and determine any options to mitigate any impact of the tree roots. Any potential claim as a result of injuries incurred within the area in question will be assessed by Council's Risk Management team accordingly.”

Officers’ Reports

Chief Financial Officer

 

Attendance Report                                                                                                  ITEM 1

Moved Cr Steane, Seconded Cr Heatherich                                                     41/25

That COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES THE REPORTS AS PRESENTED BY COUNCILLORS

 

Carried

Councillors who spoke to their reports - Crs Spears, Hancock, Jones, Gordon, Macdonald, Heatherich and Steane

 

Cr Spears (Mayor)

 

19/03          Australian Local Government Women’s Association Online Meeting

20/03          Women For Election Online Consortia Meeting

21/03          Eastern Region Group of Councils Meeting

21/03          Monkami's Art Exhibition - "Artistic Horizons: Celebrating Ability through Art"

23/03          Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival

25/03          Croydon Hills Primary School Visit

26/03          Municipal Association of Victoria Session - "Are Single-Member wards worse for Women's Representation?"

27/03          Gender Equality in Government Online Meeting

27/03          PACCAR Parts Bayswater - Open House Event

27/03          Art Exhibition opening "Between the Details - Video Art from the ACMI collection"

28/03          Your Library - Audit and Risk Advisory Committee Meeting

28/03          Meeting with Ballarat Council

31/03          Australian Local Government Women’s Association - Stepping Out Research Meeting

31/03          Federal Election Candidate Funding Announcement - Quambee Reserve

01/04          Federal Election Candidate Funding Announcement - Ringwood North Reserve

01/04          Federal Election Candidate Funding Announcement - Brushy Park

02/04          Eastern Region Group of Councils - Chair and Deputy Meeting

02/04          Australian Local Government Women’s Association - National President and Local Government Association Northern Territory CEO Meeting

08/04          Federal Election Candidate Funding Announcement - Dorset Recreation Reserve

08/04          Federal Election Candidate Funding Announcement - Cheong Park

08/04          Glen Park Community Centre AGM

08/04          Australian Local Government Women's Association Executive Meeting

09/04          Australian Local Government Women’s Association On Line Forum

10/04          Australian Local Government Women’s Association - Online National Board Meeting

10/04          Federal Election Candidate Funding Announcement - Proclamation Park

11/04          Meeting with Independent Candidate for Deakin

11/04          Eastern Region Group of Councils - Online Meeting

12/04          Federal Election Candidate Funding Announcement - Mullum Mullum Reserve

13/04          Croydon RSL - ANZAC March and Service

16/04          Australian Local Government Women's Association, National Conference 2026 -Online Meeting

17/04          Maroondah Volleyball Good Friday Launch Event

24/05          Karralyka Foyer Extension Completion Event

 

Due to a Leave of Absence, Cr Spears’ attendance report includes attendances from 18 March to 26 May 2025

 

Cr Hancock (Deputy Mayor)

 

29/04          Inclusive Volunteering Awards and Conference 2025 Event

29/04          Winter Shelter Information Evening Event

30/04          Maroondah Community Health and Wellbeing Committee Advisory Meeting

01/05          Your Library Board Meeting

01/05          Exhibition Launch "Arts Activators"

02/05          Maroondah Night Run 2025 Event

02/05          Meeting with Ringwood Bowls President

02/05          Karralyka Event

03/05          North Ringwood Tennis Club State Grade Pennant Women's Super Round Event

03/05          Karralyka Event

05/05          Ringwood Toastmasters 50th Birthday Event

06/05          Maroondah Disability Advisory Committee Meeting

07/05          Sharing Hope "Looking Back, Looking Forward" Event

07/05          Ringwood Bowls awards presentation event

08/05          Maroondah Fellowship of Churches Meeting

08/05          Meeting with owner of TBC cafe

10/05          Karralyka Event

13/05          Workforce Ready: Learner Showcase & Networking - Hungry 4 Success Event

13/05          U3A Ringwood AGM at Norwood

15/05          BizMonth Event - Kickstart your Social Media Journey with Denh Lay Photography Workshop

15/05          Maroondah City Council Audit and Risk Committee Meeting

15/05          Maroondah Community Wellbeing Session - Growing through adversity with Professor Lea Waters

16/05          Municipal Association of Victoria State Council

19/05          Liveable Neighbourhoods Place Planning Workshop Norwood Sporting Club

20/05          Maroondah Business Group "Confident Communication" Event

21/05          Metropolitan Traffic Education Centre Inc Board Meeting

22/05          Swinburne Business Seminar with Guest Speaker Lisa Smith

22/05          Lilydale Library NSS story time celebration

24/05          Karralyka Foyer Extension Completion Event

25/05          Karralyka Event

 

Cr Jones

 

29/04          Maroondah Access, Inclusion and Equity Advisory Committee Meeting

01/05          BizHub Coworking Open Day Event

02/05          Ringwood Cricket Club Meeting

13/05          Workforce Ready: Learner Showcase & Networking - Hungry 4 Success Event

15/05          U3A Croydon Annual General Meeting

16/05          Municipal Association of Victoria State Council

17/05          Croydon Football Club Presidents Event

20/05          Maroondah Environment Advisory Committee Meeting

20/05          Meeting with Resident

22/05          Swinburne Business Seminar with Guest Speaker Lisa Smith

22/05          Eastern Alliance Greenhouse Action Executive Committee Meeting

24/05          Karralyka Foyer Extension Completion Event

 

Cr Gordon

 

29/04          EV's Youth Centre Strengthening Communities Inclusive Volunteering Awards and Conference

29/04          Maroondah Access, Inclusion and Equity Advisory Committee Meeting

30/04          Maroondah Community Health and Wellbeing Committee Advisory Meeting

01/05          BizHub Coworking Open Day Event

01/05          Australian Local Government Women’s Association Mentor meeting

02/05          Maroondah Night Run 2025 Event

06/05          Maroondah Disability Advisory Committee Meeting

07/05          Sharing Hope "Looking Back, Looking Forward" Event

08/05          Australian Local Government Women’s Association Masterclass - Women in Leadership Seminar

13/05          Workforce Ready: Learner Showcase & Networking - Hungry 4 Success Event

15/05          U3A Croydon Annual General Meeting

15/05          Eastfield BMX Club Meeting

20/05          Maroondah Business Group "Confident Communication" Event

22/05          Swinburne Business Seminar with Guest Speaker Lisa Smith

23/05          Meeting with Croydon Hockey Club

24/05          Karralyka Foyer Extension Completion Event

 

Cr Rex

 

30/04          Ringwood Spiders Jumper Presentation Evening Event

02/05          Meeting with Ringwood Cricket Club

02/05          Maroondah Night Run 2025 Event

05/05          Ringwood Toastmasters 50th Birthday Event

08/05          Jen's Biggest Evening Event Supporting Cancer Council

13/05          Workforce Ready: Learner Showcase & Networking - Hungry 4 Success - Event

18/05          Jubilee Park Planting Day Event

20/05          Maroondah Environment Advisory Committee Meeting

21/05          Child internet safety/suicide prevention forum with Mr Nick McGowan MP at Heathmont Secondary

24/05          Karralyka Foyer Extension Completion Event

24/05          Meeting with Ringwood Golf

24/05          e-Waste at Croydon

 

Cr Macdonald

 

01/05          Exhibition Launch "Arts Activators"

02/05          Maroondah Night Run 2025 Event

07/05          Sharing Hope "Looking Back, Looking Forward" Event

15/05          U3A Croydon Annual General Meeting

20/05          Maroondah Environment Advisory Committee Meeting

22/05          Swinburne Business Seminar with Guest Speaker Lisa Smith

22/05          Liveable Neighbourhoods Place Planning Workshop Glen Park Community Centre

23/05          Meeting with Croydon Rangers hockey representative

24/05          Karralyka Foyer Extension Completion Event

24/05          Meeting with resident

 

Cr Heatherich

 

30/04          Maroondah Community Health and Wellbeing Committee Advisory Meeting

01/05          BizHub Coworking Open Day Event

17/05          Croydon Football Clubs Presidents Event

20/05          Meeting with Croydon Rangers Hockey Club

22/05          Swinburne Business breakfast with Lisa Smith

24/05          Karralyka Foyer Extension Completion Event

 

Cr Steane

 

10/05          Karralyka Event

15/05          U3A Croydon Annual General Meeting

17/05          Croydon Football Club Presidents Event

20/05          Maroondah Business Group "Confident Communication" Event

22/05          Swinburne Business Seminar with Guest Speaker Lisa Smith

22/05          Site visit to Yarrunga Community Centre

24/05          Karralyka Foyer Extension Completion Event

 


 

Reports of Councillor Briefings                                                                      ITEM 2

Moved Cr Gordon, Seconded Cr Macdonald                                                   42/25

THAT COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES THE PUBLIC RECORD OF THE COUNCILLOR BRIEFINGS HELD ON 28 APRIL 2025 AND 12 MAY 2025

 

 

Carried

 

 

Councillor Representation Reports                                                              ITEM 3

Moved Cr Hancock, Seconded Cr Gordon                                                         43/25

That COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES MINUTES OF the following bodies

1.       MAROONDAH COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD ON 30 april 2025

 

Carried

Councillors who spoke to the motion - Cr Hancock

 

 

Outcomes - Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) State

Council - 16 May 2025                                                                                                  ITEM 4

Moved Cr Jones, Seconded Cr Macdonald                                                        44/25

THAT COUNCIL NOTES THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THE FIVE (5) MOTIONS SUBMITTED BY MAROONDAH CITY COUNCIL TO THE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA STATE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 16 MAY 2025

 

 

Carried

Councillors who spoke to the motion - Cr Jones

 


 

Instrument of Delegation - Chief Executive Officer                                ITEM 5

Moved Cr Macdonald, Seconded Cr Jones                                                        45/25

THAT COUNCIL, IN THE EXERCISE OF THE POWERS CONFERRED BY SECTION 11(1)(b) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2020 (THE ACT), RESOLVES THAT

 

1.       THERE BE DELEGATED TO THE PERSON HOLDING THE POSITION, OR ACTING IN OR PERFORMING THE DUTIES, OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER THE POWERS, DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS SET OUT IN THE ATTACHED INSTRUMENT OF DELEGATION TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS SPECIFIED IN THAT INSTRUMENT

2.       tHE INSTRUMENT OF DELEGATION BE EXECUTED UNDER THE SEAL OF COUNCIL

3.       THE INSTRUMENT COMES INTO FORCE IMMEDIATELY THE COMMON SEAL OF COUNCIL IS AFFIXED TO THE INSTRUMENT

4.       ON THE COMING INTO FORCE OF THE INSTRUMENT ALL PREVIOUS DELEGATIONS TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER ARE REVOKED

5.       THE DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS SET OUT IN THE INSTRUMENT MUST BE PERFORMED, AND THE POWERS SET OUT IN THE INSTRUMENT MUST BE EXECUTED, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY GUIDELINES OR POLICIES OF COUNCIL THAT IT MAY FROM TIME TO TIME ADOPT

 

 

Carried

Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Jones and Hancock

 

 

Maroondah 2050 – Our Future Together Community Vision                    ITEM 6

Moved Cr Steane, Seconded Cr Macdonald                                                     46/25

That Council

1.       adopts Maroondah 2050 Our Future Together COMMUNITY VISION

2.       THANKS THE MAROONDAH COMMUNITY FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AND INPUT IN developing the VISION

 

 

Carried

Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Steane, Gordon, Macdonald, Jones, Hancock and Spears

 


 

Local Government Performance Reporting Framework -

Service Performance Indicator Report - Quarter 3, 2024/25                 ITEM 7

Moved Cr Jones, Seconded Cr Hancock                                                             47/25

That COUNCIL Notes THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE REPORTING FRAMEWORK SERVICE PERFORMANCE RESULTS as at 31 March 2025

 

 

Carried

Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Jones and Spears

 

 

Financial Report: Nine Months Ending March 2025                                      ITEM 8

Moved Cr Jones, Seconded Cr Macdonald                                                        48/25

THAT COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES THE REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AGAINST BUDGET FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDING 31 MARCH 2025

 

 

Carried

Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Jones and Steane

 

 

Council Plan 2021-2025 (Year 4: 2024/25) Priority Action

Progress Report - Quarter 3, 2024/25                                                               ITEM 9

Moved Cr Gordon, Seconded Cr Heatherich                                                   49/25

That council noteS progress made towards THE implementation of priority actions identified in the counCil plan 2021-2025, as AT 31 MARCH 2025

 

 

Carried

 

 

Report of Audit and Risk Committee Meeting - 15 May 2025                    ITEM 10

Moved Cr Jones, Seconded Cr Macdonald                                                        50/25

THAT COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES THE REPORT FROM THE AUDIT and RISK COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 15 May 2025

 

 

Carried

Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Jones, Gordon and Spears

 


 

Director Assets & Leisure

 

Community Facilities Lease Agreements for Girl Guides

Association of Victoria                                                                                          ITEM 1

Moved Cr Gordon, Seconded Cr Hancock                                                         51/25

That Council GRANTS A LEASE TO the girl guides association of Victoria for occupancy of the Bedford Park Guide Hall for a period of five (5) years and the Ainslie Park Guide Hall FOR AN INITIAL FIVE (5) YEAR PERIOD with the option for a further FIVE (5) Year TERM IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL’S STANDARD LEASE

 

Carried

Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Gordon and Steane

 

 

Capital Works Report: Third Quarter 2024/25 Financial Year                ITEM 2

Moved Cr Macdonald, Seconded Cr Gordon                                                   52/25

THAT COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES THE REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAM FOR THE THIRD QUARTER FOR 2024/25

 

Carried

 

Documents for Sealing

 

Letter Under Seal - Employee Milestones 2025                                            ITEM 1

Moved Cr Steane, Seconded Cr Hancock                                                          53/25

That council signs and seals

1.       FORTY YEARS OF SERVICE GIVEN BY:

·        Maureen HOUSTON

 

2.       thirty YEARS OF SERVICE GIVEN BY:

·        Mary-anne BROWN

·        Timothy COCKS

·        Julie EUINTON

·        Ian FOSSEY

·        Denise PARKS

·        Vita YEUNG

 

3.       TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE GIVEN BY:

·        Michael ARHONTIS

·        Fiona BURRIDGE

·        Roberta COUCHER

·        Clare D'ARCY-EVANS

·        Lisa DAVIS

·        Marianne DI GIALLONARDO

·        Jason FRANKISH

·        Kim LADIGES

·        Ron LONCAR

·        Cheryl MARSHALL

·        Rebecca PIETRZYKOWSKI

·        Sharryn TOULL

 

4.       TEN YEARS OF SERVICE GIVEN BY:

·        Alex BELTRAMIN

·        Gemma BELTRAMIN

·        Christie BRIGGS

·        Nantzee CHIN

·        Tara CHOUDARI

·        Luke ERVINE

·        Tanya EVELY

·        Alexandra FLINTOFF

·        Michael GARTNER

·        Tamlyn GILL

·        Daniel HEARN

·        Rachelle JONES

·        Steve KOZLOWSKI

·        Jode LUKE

·        Neoni MORRISSEY

·        Monique RESPINI

·        Stuart ROY

·        Stephen SCOTT

·        Bianca SLARKE

·        Abbey STARLING

·        Amy WATSFORD

·        Kailah WELSH

·        Natja WUNSCH

 

Carried

Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Hancock and Macdonald

motions to review

Nil

Late ItemS

Nil

Requests FOR Leave of Absence

Nil

In Camera

Moved Cr Jones, Seconded Cr Hancock                                                            54/25

THAT THE FOLLOWING MATTERS BE DEALT WITH IN CAMERA PURSUANT TO S66(1) AND S66(2)(A) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2020, BECAUSE THE REPORTS CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS CONFIDENTIAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH S3(1) OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2020.

Chief Financial Officer

Item 1       Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Licence Renewal (through MAV Procurement Contract NPN2.17-3)

Reason: This report contains Council business information, being information that would prejudice the Council's position in commercial negotiations if prematurely released. This information is confidential in accordance with s3(1)(a) of the Act. This ground is applied because the information, if publicly released at the time, is likely to be inappropriately detrimental to the Council or any person.

 

Director Assets & Leisure

Item 1       Tender Evaluation Report - Contract 21090 Design & Construction of Croydon Community Hub

Reason: This report contains Council business information, being information that would prejudice the Council's position in commercial negotiations if prematurely released. This information is confidential in accordance with s3(1)(a) of the Act. This ground is applied because the information, if publicly released at the time, is likely to be inappropriately detrimental to the Council or any person.

Director Assets & Leisure

Item 2       Tender Evaluation Report - Contract 21089 Provision of Pit & Pipe Cleaning

Reason: This report contains Council business information, being information that would prejudice the Council's position in commercial negotiations if prematurely released. This information is confidential in accordance with s3(1)(a) of the Act. This ground is applied because the information, if publicly released at the time, is likely to be inappropriately detrimental to the Council or any person.

Director Assets & Leisure

Item 3       Tender Evaluation Report - Contract 21088 Cleaning Services for Operations Centre, Public Toilets & Barbeques

Reason: This report contains private commercial information, being information provided by a business, commercial or financial undertaking that if released, would unreasonably expose the business, commercial or financial undertaking to disadvantage. This information is confidential in accordance with s3(1)(g(ii)) of the Act. This ground is applied because the information, if publicly released at the time, is likely to be inappropriately detrimental to the Council or any person.

Carried

Council resolved that the following decisions be reflected in the minutes of the Open Forum.

Chief Financial Officer

 

Microsoft Enterprise Agreement Licence Renewal (through

MAV Procurement Contract NPN2.17-3)                                                            ITEM 1

THIS REPORT AND ALL DISCUSSIONS IN RELATION TO IT REMAINS CONFIDENTIAL INDEFINITELY AND THIS RESOLUTION REMAINS CONFIDENTIAL UNTIL THE EXECUTION OF THIS CONTRACT AT WHICH TIME THE RESOLUTION BE MADE PUBLIC

 


 

Director Assets & Leisure

 

Tender Evaluation Report - Contract 21090 Design &

Construction of Croydon Community Hub                                                    ITEM 1

THIS REPORT AND ALL DISCUSSIONS IN RELATION TO IT REMAINS CONFIDENTIAL INDEFINITELY AND THIS RESOLUTION REMAINS CONFIDENTIAL UNTIL THE EXECUTION OF THIS CONTRACT AT WHICH TIME THE RESOLUTION BE MADE PUBLIC

 

 

Tender Evaluation Report - Contract 21089 Provision of

Pit & Pipe Cleaning                                                                                                     ITEM 2

THIS REPORT AND ALL DISCUSSIONS IN RELATION TO IT REMAINS CONFIDENTIAL INDEFINITELY AND THIS RESOLUTION REMAINS CONFIDENTIAL UNTIL THE EXECUTION OF THIS CONTRACT AT WHICH TIME THE RESOLUTION BE MADE PUBLIC

 

 

Tender Evaluation Report - Contract 21088 Cleaning Services

for Operations Centre, Public Toilets & Barbeques                                ITEM 3

THIS REPORT AND ALL DISCUSSIONS IN RELATION TO IT REMAINS CONFIDENTIAL INDEFINITELY AND THIS RESOLUTION REMAINS CONFIDENTIAL UNTIL THE EXECUTION OF THIS CONTRACT AT WHICH TIME THE RESOLUTION BE MADE PUBLIC

 

 

The open forum closed at 9:03pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Confirmed ……………………………………..

 

 

 

Date ……………………………………………