What happened at the March 2026 Council Meeting

At its March meeting, Council:

  • Resolved to submit the following motions for consideration at the Municipal Association of Victoria State Council Meeting on 29 May:
    1. That the MAV
      1. Advocates to the State Government for statewide program of rural and regional rail capacity improvements, including station platform extensions to ensure rural and regional train services can operate modern rolling stock of full length amid growing passenger demands across Victoria.
      2. Highlight many rural and regional platforms across the V/line network are currently too short to accommodate six-carriage V/Locity trains limiting capacity, limiting service reliability, and contributing to overcrowding on long-distance routes.
      3. Emphasise that enabling longer trains at all major rural and regional corridors is critical to equitable access, network resilience, operational efficiency rural and regional economic development across the estate.
      4. Advocate that platform extension works be prioritised on corridors with demand growth, service press and infra gaps are most acute, including but not limited to Warrnambool-Melbourne line.
      5. Engage with the Minister for Public and Active Transport, and the Department of Transport & Planning to progress these works as part of a coordinated statewide approach to modernise rural and regional rail infrastructure.
    2. That the Municipal Association of Victoria advocates to the Victorian and Australian Governments for the establishment of a modernised country towns water supply and sewerage program to provide dedicated, long-term funding for water, wastewater and potable water infrastructure in small rural and regional towns to enable councils to meet mandated housing targets, protect public and environmental health, and address longstanding infrastructure gaps; and
    3. That the Municipal Association of Victoria:
  1. Advocate to the Victorian Government for a statewide program of rural and regional rail capacity improvements, including station platform extensions, to ensure rural and regional train services can operate modern rolling stock at full length and meet growing passenger demand across Victoria.
  2. Highlight that many rural and regional platforms across the V/Line network are currently too short to accommodate six‑carriage VLocity trains, limiting capacity, reducing service reliability and contributing to overcrowding on long‑distance routes.
  3. Emphasise that enabling longer trains on all major rural and rural and regional corridors is critical to equitable access, network resilience, operational efficiency and rural and rural and regional economic development across the state.
  4. Advocate that platform‑extension works be prioritised on corridors where demand growth, service pressures and infrastructure gaps are most acute including, but not limited to, the Warrnambool–Melbourne line.
  5. Engage with the Minister for Public and Active Transport and the Department of Transport and Planning to progress these works as part of a coordinated statewide approach to modernising rural and rural and regional rail infrastructure.
  • Adopted a new
    1. Risk management policy;
    2. Risk Management Policy;
    3. Works Within Road Reserves Permit Policy; and
    4. Vehicle crossings policy;
  • Deferred adoption of Recreation Reserves Management Policy for review;
  • Authorised the Chief Executive Officer to make a submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the January 2026 fires and request the opportunity to speak to the submission;
  • Approved Business Assistance Scheme funding to
    1. South West Vic Electrical Pty Ltd ($3,500 and fee waiver of $487.50 excluding GST) for facade improvement and landscaping; and
    2. Terang and District Indoor Sports and Recreation Centre (Terang Fitness) ($3,000 and fee waiver of $1302.80 excluding GST) for new signage; and
    3. approves a revised fee waiver ($1,302.80 excluding GST) to the previously approved Business Assistance Scheme application for Progressing Cobden Inc. for signage at the Cobden Visitor Information Centre;
  • Resolved to seek feedback on the proposal to grant a long-term lease of Jaycee Park Lot 35 LP5843 Manifold Street Camperdown to Sunnyside House Incorporated for staff and visitor car parking and fire services infrastructure;
  • Awarded Contract 2026018 Construction of Change Room Facility, Simpson Recreation Reserve to BDH Constructions Pty Ltd for $1,127,890.00 ex GST and approved an increase of $110,000 (ex GST) so the project can proceed; and
  • Affirmed its opposition to the Mumblin Wind Farm proposal
    1. on the grounds that it presents unacceptable risks and constraints to the safe operation, ongoing viability, and future development of the Cobden Aerodrome;
    2. noted that Cobden Aerodrome is critical community infrastructure, supporting:
      • emergency management and disaster response,
      • aeromedical and patient transfer operations,
      • agricultural aviation,
      • pilot training and general aviation, and
      • regional economic and community resilience; and
    3. acknowledged that the proposed wind farm turbines, by reason of their height, location and proximity, have the potential to:
      • penetrate or constrain the aerodrome’s obstacle limitation surfaces,
      • restrict aircraft approach, departure and circuit operations,
      • introduce wake turbulence and wind shear risks,
      • interfere with aviation safety systems, navigation and communications, and
      • limit future safety upgrades or expansion of aerodrome operations; and
    4. recognised any reduction in the operational capability of the Cobden Aerodrome would have direct implications for public safety, particularly during bushfire, flood and medical emergencies when rapid aerial access is essential;
    5. affirmed the protection of existing strategic transport and emergency infrastructure must take precedence where land‑use conflicts arise, particularly where risks cannot be adequately mitigated or removed;
    6. resolved to formally advise the responsible planning authority, relevant Ministers and statutory agencies that it does not support the Mumblin Wind Farm proposal due to its adverse impacts on aviation safety and the long‑term functionality of the Cobden Aerodrome; and
    7. requested Cobden Aerodrome be explicitly recognised and safeguarded  in all relevant planning, assessment and approval processes relating to renewable energy developments within the municipality.

 

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