Council Meeting MINUTES 1 16 March 2026
Minutes of the Council Meeting held in the Council Chamber on Monday 16 March 2026 at 7:30pm.
PRESENT
Cr Claire Rex Jubilee Ward
Cr Daniella Heatherich Wicklow Ward
Cr Kylie Spears Wombolano Ward
Cr Linda Hancock Wonga Ward
Cr Paul Macdonald Tarralla Ward
Cr Rob Steane OAM Yarrunga Ward
Steve Kozlowski Chief Executive Officer
Tony Rocca Director Corporate
Adam Todorov Director Assets & Leisure
Marianne Di Giallonardo Director Community
Andrew Fuaux Director City Growth & Precincts
Joanne Ellis Governance Officer
Dan Glass Multimedia Officer
The Mayor, Cr Hancock welcomed all to the March Council meeting.
The 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 Andrew Shahzadi from the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’i.
The Councillor Pledge was read by the Mayor.
The Acknowledgement of Country was read by the Mayor.
Apologies
Cr Catherine Gordon Bungalook Ward
Cr Nathaniel Henderson McAlpin Ward
Cr Chris Jones Barngeong Ward
Cr Jones was granted a Leave of Absence for the 16 March 2026 Council Meeting.
Crs Gordon and Henderson were granted a Leave of Absence at the 16 March 2026 Council Meeting.
|
REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF ABSENCE - CR CATHERINE GORDON AND CR NATHANIEL HENDERSON |
|
Moved Cr Rex, Seconded Cr Spears 9/26 That cr CATHERINE GORDON AND CR NATHANIEL HENDERSON be granted a leave of absence for the 16 MARCH 2026 council meeting
|
Declaration of Interests
Nil
Confirmation of MinuTes
|
Moved Cr Spears, Seconded Cr Macdonald 10/26 That the minutes of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on Monday 16 February 2026 be confirmed
|
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Resident
“In order to keep Maroondah "A green and sustainable community" we need local owned and operated businesses. How have the council and councillors helped rebuild Colchester nursery. after the devastating fire?”
Director, City Growth and Precincts
“Council has worked closely with the property owner to make the site safe and enable them to reopen the day following the fire. Any new buildings provided on the land may require a planning permit and there is a 10 day turn-around period available for the land owner. This typifies Council’s support of local businesses and its pledge towards being a Small Business Friendly Council - an initiative which streamlines the processes for business moving through business approvals.”
Resident
“There are currently over one dozen healthy canopy trees on 3-5 LOUISA ST, Croydon. How will the council guarantee they will be preserved, maintained and cared for, if the land is to be rezoned to Neighbourhood Residential Zone Schedule 6.”
Director, City Growth and Precincts
“The canopy trees at 3-5 Louisa Street, Croydon will be protected by the existing Significant Landscape Overlay.”
Officers’ Reports
|
Moved Cr Steane OAM, Seconded Cr Heatherich 11/26 That COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES THE REPORTS AS PRESENTED BY COUNCILLORS |
|
Councillors who spoke to their reports - Crs Macdonald, Rex, Heatherich, Spears, Steane and Hancock.
Cr Hancock (Mayor)
17/02 Maroondah Disability Advisory Committee Meeting 17/02 Meeting with Resident 18/02 Maroondah Citizenship Ceremony 19/02 Municipal Association of Victoria Regional Meeting – Metro East 19/02 Your Library Board Meeting 19/02 Exhibition Launch - Skybox by Rel Pham 20/02 Eastern Region Group of Councils Meeting 20/02 Chin National Day Celebration Event 25/02 Meeting with U3A Croydon 25/02 Biala Annual General Meeting 26/02 Webinar for Councillors: Small Business Friendly Council Charter 01/03 Maroondah Indian Community - Holi Milan 2026 - Colour Run Event 04/03 Maroondah Winter 2026 Sporting Forum 05/03 Maroondah Australia Day Honours Presentation Event 05/03 Eastern FM Broadcast 05/03 Maroondah Audit and Risk Committee Meeting 06/03 Meeting with Leading Health Communities 06/03 Karralyka Event 11/03 Maroondah International Women's Day Event 11/03 North Ringwood Community House Annual General Meeting 11/03 Yarra Ranges Council Mayor visit to Maroondah Nets 13/03 Victorian Local Government Association International Women's Day - Give to Gain-A Path to Gender Equality Event
Cr Macdonald (Deputy Mayor)
17/02 Meeting with Resident 18/02 Maroondah Citizenship Ceremony 19/02 Exhibition Launch - Skybox by Rel Pham 21/02 Celebrate Maroondah Movie Night 'IF' 24/02 Meeting with Resident 24/02 Maroondah Environment Advisory Committee Meeting 04/03 Maroondah Arts Advisory Committee Meeting 05/03 Maroondah Australia Day Honours Presentation Event 05/03 Maroondah Audit & Risk Committee Meeting 06/03 Meeting with Resident 10/03 Meeting with Eastern Palliative Care 11/03 Maroondah International Women's Day Event 13/03 Celebrate Maroondah Movie Night - 'How to Train your Dragon'
Cr Gordon
17/02 Maroondah Disability Advisory Committee Meeting 18/02 Maroondah Citizenship Ceremony 21/02 Celebrate Maroondah Movie Night 'IF' 03/03 Maroondah Business Group - Maroondah Business Reboot 2026 Seminar 05/03 Maroondah Australia Day Honours Presentation Event 11/03 Maroondah International Women's Day Event 12/03 The Maroondah Foundation Meeting 12/03 Australian Local Government Women's Association Online Masterclass "Focus on Financials” 13/03 Victorian Local Government Association International Women's Day - Give to Gain - A Path to Gender Equality Event 13/03 Celebrate Maroondah Movie Night - 'How to Train your Dragon'
Cr Rex
18/02 Maroondah Citizenship Ceremony 19/02 Exhibition Launch - Skybox by Rel Pham 21/02 Celebrate Maroondah Movie Night 'IF' 22/02 Meeting with Maroondah Volleyball 24/02 Maroondah Environment Advisory Committee Meeting 25/02 Biala Ringwood Annual General Meeting 01/03 Maroondah Indian Community - Holi Milan 2026 - Colour Run Event 05/03 Celebrate 50 years of Blue Light Victoria Event 11/03 Maroondah International Women's Day Event 12/03 Australian Local Government Women's Association Online Masterclass "Focus on Financials” 13/03 Celebrate Maroondah Movie Night - 'How to Train your Dragon'
Cr Henderson
17/02 Maroondah Disability Advisory Committee Meeting 18/02 Maroondah Citizenship Ceremony 19/02 Exhibition Launch - Skybox by Rel Pham 04/03 Maroondah Arts Advisory Committee Meeting 05/03 Maroondah Australia Day Honours Presentation Event
Cr Heatherich
18/02 Maroondah Citizenship Ceremony 01/03 Croydon and District Obedience Dog Club Meeting 01/03 Maroondah Indian Community - Holi Milan 2026 - Colour Run Event 05/03 Maroondah Australia Day Honours Presentation Event 06/03 Karralyka Event 11/03 Maroondah International Women's Day Event 12/03 Australian Local Government Women's Association Online Masterclass "Focus on Financials” 12/03 Croydon Football Club meeting
Cr Spears
17/02 Australian
Local Government Women's Association Executive Team Meeting 18/02 Maroondah Citizenship Ceremony 19/02 Municipal Association of Victoria Regional Meeting – Metro East 19/02 Your Library Board Meeting 19/02 Exhibition Launch - Skybox by Rel Pham 20/02 Eastern Region Group of Councils Meeting 20/02 Australian
Local Government Women's Association - Tasmanian State Meeting 24/02 Australian
Local Government Women's Association Executive Team Meeting 25/02 Planning Consultation Meeting - M/2025/604 - 19 Freeman Street, Ringwood East 26/02 Maroondah Business Advisory Committee Meeting 26/02 Australian Local Government Women's Association - South Australia Executive Committee Meeting 27/02 Meeting with Your Library Chief Executive Officer 27/02 Melbourne East Netball Association Netball Festival 27/02 Australian
Local Government Women's Association Masterclass Pre meeting 03/03 Australian
Local Government Women's Association Executive Team Meeting 04/03 Maroondah Arts Advisory Committee Meeting 05/03 Maroondah Australia Day Honours Presentation Event 11/03 Maroondah International Women's Day Event 11/03 Australian Local Government Women's Association Executive Team Meeting 12/03 Your Library Discussion Meeting- Pre Planning Day 12/03 Municipal Association of Victoria Delegate Connect Session 12/03 Australian Local Government Women's Association Online Masterclass "Focus on Financials” 12/03 Maroondah
Foundation Sub-committee meeting 13/03 Victorian Local Government Association International Women's Day - Give to Gain-A Path to Gender Equality Event
Cr Steane
18/02 Maroondah Citizenship Ceremony 19/02 Exhibition Launch - Skybox by Rel Pham 26/02 Maroondah Business Advisory Committee Meeting 03/03 Maroondah Business Group - Maroondah Business Reboot 2026 Seminar 05/03 Maroondah Australia Day Honours Presentation Event 06/03 Karralyka Event 11/03 Maroondah International Women's Day Event 12/03 Meeting with Resident |
|
Moved Cr Rex, Seconded Cr Heatherich 12/26 That COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES THE PUBLIC RECORD OF THE COUNCILLOR BRIEFINGS HELD ON 16 FEBRUARY 2026 AND 2 MARCH 2026 |
|
Moved Cr Rex, Seconded Cr Spears 13/26 That COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES MINUTES OF the following bodies 1. MAROONDAH ENVIRONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS HELD ON 24 FEBRUARY 2026 |
|
Councillors who spoke to the motion - Cr Rex |
|
Moved Cr Rex, Seconded Cr Spears 14/26 THAT COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES THE REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AGAINST BUDGET FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2025 |
|
Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Spears and Steane |
|
Proposed Motion for MAV State Council Meeting - 29 May 2026 ITEM 5 |
|
Moved Cr Spears, Seconded Cr Heatherich 15/26 THAT COUNCIL ENDORSE SUBMITTING THE FOLLOWING MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE MUNICIPAL ASSOCIATION OF VICTORIA STATE COUNCIL MEETING TO BE HELD ON 29 MAY 2026: MOTION: REVIEW OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS ACT 1994
THAT MAV CALL ON DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE ACTION (DEECA) TO PROMPTLY INITIATE A LEGISLATIVE REVIEW OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS ACT 1994 AND RELEVANT COMPANION REGULATIONS, TO RE SET THE PENALTY FOR NUISANCE ANIMAL INFRINGEMENTS, AND TO ENSURE THE ACT: · PROVIDES A CONTEMPORARY LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK THAT MEETS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPECTATIONS OF COMMUNITIES AND GOVERNMENTS, AROUND THE SERIOUSNESS OF NUISANCE ANIMAL OFFENCES AND THE ADVERSE IMPACT NUISANCE ANIMALS CAN HAVE ON NEIGHBOURS AND GOVERNMENTS ACROSS VICTORIA AND; · STRONGLY ENCOURAGES COMPLIANCE THROUGH APPROPRIATE EDUCATION, COMPLAINT MANAGEMENT MECHANISMS AND REALISTIC DETERRENTS, SUCH AS APPROPRIATE INFRINGEMENTS AND COURT PENALTIES. |
|
Councillors who spoke to the motion - Crs Spears and Macdonald |
|
Report of Audit and Risk Committee Meeting - 5 March 2026 ITEM 6 |
|
Moved Cr Rex, Seconded Cr Steane OAM 16/26 THAT COUNCIL RECEIVES AND NOTES THE REPORT FROM THE AUDIT and RISK COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 5 March 2026 |
|
Councillors who spoke to the motion - Cr Spears |
Director City Growth & Precincts
|
Amendment C161 Maro to the Maroondah Planning Scheme, Proposed Zoning of 3-5 Louisa St, Croydon ITEM 1 |
|
Moved Cr Heatherich, Seconded Cr Spears 17/26 That COUNCIL, UNDER SECTION 16F OF THE PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 1987, SEEK AUTHORISATION FROM THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING TO PREPARE AND EXHIBIT MAROONDAH PLANNING SCHEME C161MARO WHICH PROPOSES TO REZONE THE LAND AT 3-5 LOUISA STREET, CROYDON FROM PUBLIC USE ZONE 6 - LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO NEIGHBOURHOOD RESIDENTIAL ZONE SCHEDULE 6. |
|
Councillors who spoke to the motion - Cr Heatherich |
documents for sealing
Nil
motions to review
Nil
Late ItemS
Nil
Requests FOR Leave of Absence
|
Moved Cr Rex, Seconded Cr Steane OAM 18/26 That cr DANIELLA HEATHERICH be granted a leave of absence for the 18 MAY 2026 council meeting |
The open forum closed at 8:15pm.
Confirmed ……………………………………..
Date ……………………………………………