Agenda of Meeting of the Port Phillip City Council

Meeting of the Port Phillip City Council

10 December 2025

8.1

Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy

Executive Member:

Kylie Bennetts, General Manager, Community Wellbeing

PREPARED BY:

Felicity Symons, Coordinator Community & Social Planning

Christine Dening, Manager Community Building and Inclusion

1. PURPOSE

1.1 For Council to endorse the:

1.1.1 Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy (November 2025) and associated implementation plan.

1.1.2 Allocation of homelessness and housing project funding in 2025/26 and 2026/27.

2. EXECUTIVE Summary

2.1 The Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy (November 2025) (the Strategy) will contribute to achieving Port Philip’s community vision of a liveable and vibrant city that enhances community connection and wellbeing, by working towards homelessness being rare, brief, and non-recurring, improving the supply and diversity of affordable housing and the availability of appropriate supports for people to maintain housing (See Attachment 1: Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy).

2.2 Safe, secure, and accessible housing is a key determinant of health and fosters a socially diverse and inclusive community across all areas of the City of Port Phillip, including the important growth area of Fishermans Bend. Improving housing and food security is one of the City’s five key health priorities, as identified in the Plan for Port Phillip.

2.3 The Strategy is the key strategic document to focus Council efforts on improving housing security.

2.4 Phase 2 of the Strategy’s engagement program sought feedback on the draft proposed Strategy and ran from 6 October to 2 November 2025, with community and stakeholder input invited through a range of activities, including:

2.4.1 A 'Have Your Say' survey.

2.4.2 Targeted workshops and discussions, including people with living and lived experiences of homelessness or vulnerability.

2.4.3 Reconvening the Community Safety Roundtable held on 22 October 2025.

2.4.4 Direct engagement with community service providers, which also sought input to support funding considerations.

2.4.5 Direct engagement with community groups, residents and traders who registered for project notifications.

2.4.6 Promotion through Council’s social media and website and through the Neighbourhood Engagement Program.

2.4.7 Distribution of posters and flyers at libraries, community centres, maternal and child health centres, childcare centres, Neighbourhood Engagement “pop ups”, and the Victorian Pride Centre.

2.5 The draft strategy received majority support from those who participated in the engagement, with some suggestions for improvement.

2.6 The feedback broadly sought:

2.6.1 Stronger integration of community health.

2.6.2 Increased importance of co-location of services or hubs.

2.6.3 Stronger incorporation of lived experience.

2.6.4 Strengthened advocacy for renters.

2.6.5 Stronger support for existing commitments, such as Gathering Place(s).

2.7 Through the Council Plan and Budget process, Council committed $600K in project funding per annum for the next four years. Council resolved to allocate a portion of the budget to St Kilda Community Housing ($250k per annum for two years) and BridgeIt ($15k for two years), with $335k remaining unallocated.

2.8 Community service providers were invited to revisit the submissions they lodged through the Phase 1 Engagement Program to include more detailed budget-specific information to support funding considerations. Five submissions were received, discussions took place and an assessment of these across both the Housing and Community Safety Project funding was made.

2.9 Following detailed consideration of these submissions, it is proposed that additional budget allocations are as follows:

2.9.1 South Port Community Housing $150k in each of 2025/26 and 2026/27 to target upstream homelessness and support priority cohorts (including youth, First Nations and those experiencing homelessness), reducing reliance on crisis accommodation and improving long-term stability.

2.9.2 South Side Justice $100k in each of 2025/26 and 2026/27 for embedded lawyers to provide early intervention for private renters at risk of eviction, advocacy for housing rights, and capacity building for frontline workers.

2.9.3 $50k to be allocated in 2025/26 to commence initial feasibility work of sites that could be proposed for development of affordable housing by community housing providers, as determined through an expression of interest process.

2.9.4 Retain any unspent funds in 2025/26 and 2026/27 for future allocation in response to emerging need or an opportunity that arises at any given point in time.

2.10 This report should be read in conjunction with the Community Safety Plan report, particularly budget requests, which were considered to align more closely with Council’s community safety budget allocation.

3. RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

3.1 Thanks, all community members, organisations and other stakeholders who have contributed to engagement and provided feedback to inform the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy.

3.2 Adopts the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy (Attachment 1) and delegates to the Chief Executive Officer the ability to make amendments that do not materially alter the intent of the Strategy.

3.3 Endorses the Implementation Plan for the Strategy (Attachment 2).

3.4 Releases the Community Safety Engagement Report (Attachment 3).

3.5 Thanks, service providers who submitted further detail on initiatives that Council could make a financial contribution to that would make a contribution to addressing root causes of homelessness and affordable housing in Port Phillip.

3.6 Endorses the allocation of:

3.6.1 $150k in each of 2025/26 and 2026/27 to South Port Community Housing to target upstream homelessness and support priority cohorts (including youth, First Nations and those experiencing homelessness), reducing reliance on crisis accommodation and improving long-term stability.

3.6.2 $100k in each of 2025/26 and 2026/27 to South Side Justice for embedded lawyers to provide early intervention for private renters at risk of eviction, advocacy for housing rights, and capacity building for frontline workers.

3.6.3 $50k in 2025/26 for initial feasibility work of Council sites that could potentially be proposed for development of affordable housing by community housing providers, following an expression of interest process.

4. KEY POINTS/ISSUES

Strategy Content

4.1 The Strategy was developed through a thorough and multi-dimensional process, incorporating two key phases of engagement, along with strategic analysis and evidence-based research. Key activities included:

4.1.1 Phase 1 Community Engagement in May 2025: An initial engagement phase was conducted to explore Council’s current and potential role within the broader service system in addressing homelessness and affordable housing. This phase provided early insights into community needs, expectations, and opportunities for Council involvement.

4.1.2 Strategic Alignment and Policy Review: A review of relevant Council and government strategies was undertaken, drawing on insights from previous engagement processes to ensure consistency and alignment with broader policy directions.

4.1.3 Integration of Key Engagement Insights: The draft Strategy incorporates findings from recent engagement activities, including:

· Deliberative engagement conducted as part of the Plan for Port Phillip; and

· Recommendations and submissions received through the Community Safety Roundtable.

· Recommendations received through the reconvened Community Roundtable in October 2025.

4.1.4 Evidence and Data Analysis: To support the Strategy’s development, a range of supporting documents and data sources were analysed, including:

· Strategies from other local governments, such as the City of Melbourne’s Think and Act Homelessness Strategy;

· Results from the 2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey, particularly in relation to community wellbeing and safety; and

· A gender impact assessment of the draft Strategy to ensure it is inclusive and equitable.

4.2 Phase 2 Community Engagement ran from 6 October to 2 November 2025, focusing on feedback regarding the draft Strategy’s vision, strategic pillars, measures, and actions. The engagement findings are summarised in Attachment 3.

4.3 All feedback received was reviewed and used to inform revisions to the Strategy.

What we heard and proposed amendments to the Strategy

4.4 Following a review of all feedback received through the Phase 2 engagement program, the Strategy has been updated. These changes are identified in Attachment 1, and include changes to the vision, the body text, the wording of some actions, and inclusion of new additional actions. Minor corrections have been made but are not recorded in the Strategy, as they were considered inconsequential.

4.5 Based on feedback received through the Phase 2 engagement program, the following table provides a summary of the amendments made to the Strategy (“red” text denotes the amendments/inclusions to the Strategy):

Feedback received through Phase 2 Engagement:	Amendments made to the Strategy in response to feedback received:
Community Health: Make community health a more prominent focus.	Vision: Over the next decade, the City of Port Phillip will work toward achieving functional zero homelessness—where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. Where those most in need have access to safe, appropriate housing and the right supports to build stability and independence, including wraparound supports such as mental health, alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, financial counselling, legal services, and peer/community-led models.
	5.7 Support the provision of and accessibility to support services, and associated infrastructure, to improve mental health and homelessness support.
	1.3 Coordinate housing, health (including mental health support and access to Drug and Alcohol support) food, and homelessness support (including social inclusion and legal/financial assistance) for those experiencing chronic homelessness and ensure an integrated, culturally safe and trauma-informed response in public spaces via the Protocol for Assisting People who are Sleeping Rough
Community Health Service coordination: Create a one-stop shop for easier access to services and make community health a more prominent focus.	New 5.6 Advocate for the establishment of a coordinated, single access point for persons experiencing homelessness and mental health issues.
	1.13: Advocate for better coordination between homelessness, health and justice systems including early intervention/prevention for people leaving institutions
Lived Experience: Incorporate direct input from people with lived experience.	Action 2.5 Ensure housing and infrastructure plans respond to the challenges faced by intersectional groups by including the voices of people with lived experience from the early design phase to completion.
Hub spaces: Create safe daytime hubs with essential facilities.	Action 5.4 Identify, develop, and sustain accessible, safe daytime social spaces ("hubs") with appropriate and essential facilities, and access to therapeutic, wrap-around support services for rough sleepers and vulnerable community members.
Rental supports: Develop Council’s Advocacy position to better support renters	New Action 3.10 Advocate for local regulatory mechanisms to mitigate displacement caused by short stay rental accommodation.
	Action 2.5 Ensure housing and infrastructure plans respond to the challenges faced by intersectional groups by including the voices of people with lived experience from the early design phase to completion.
Sponsorship Housing	Action 2.6 Partner, and deliver prevention, support, and housing for older people through the Sponsorship Housing Program

Strategy Funding

4.6 Council has committed a total of $5.4 million over ten years to support the implementation of the Strategy. This includes:

· $600,000 over the first four years (2025/26–2028/29) as part of the current budget cycle; and

· $500,000 over the following six years (2029/30–2034/35), reflecting Council’s ongoing commitment to long-term action.

4.7 Of the 2025/26 and 2026/27 budget, a total of $265,000 per annum has been allocated to support targeted housing initiatives in Port Phillip, including $250,000 per year for two years for St Kilda Community Housing—conditional on additional external funding—and $15,000 per year for two years for Bridge It to assist with operational costs for safe housing for young women and gender diverse people with lived experience of out-of-home care or homelessness.

4.8 Council sought targeted community consultation to inform the effective allocation of project funds. Feedback was gathered through members of the Community Safety Roundtable and the Port Phillip Zero Executive, both of whom are well-positioned to advise on opportunities for greatest impact.

4.9 In addition, Council officers engaged directly with Sacred Heart Mission, Southside Justice, South Port Community Housing and Ngwala Willumbong to further explore their initial submissions to the Community Safety Roundtable and invite input into potential funding allocations, in line with the decision of Council on the release of the draft Strategy. Southside Justice and South Port Community Housing both made more formal budget submissions while Sacred Heart Mission and Ngwala Willumbong did not submit a formal budget proposal but did provide valuable contextual insights into the needs of the Port Phillip community. Through this process Ngwala indicated that the outreach funding provided by Council through the budget process and a Gathering Place(s) were the key areas of support required from Council from their perspective. Sacred Heart Mission highlighted the extent of funding required to support some of their priorities was well beyond what they believed Council would be able to support.

4.10 This feedback, combined with broader community input on priority areas for action, highlighted several key service gaps where Council investment could deliver meaningful outcomes:

4.10.1 Assertive Outreach: Outreach services are under-resourced, limiting their ability to engage individuals with complex needs—such as alcohol and other drug (AOD) issues and mental illness—in public spaces.

4.10.2 Integrated Care Coordination: There is a lack of a central coordinating body or “backbone” organisation to support integrated service delivery for people experiencing long-term homelessness.

4.10.3 Legal and Tenancy Support: Access to early legal intervention remains limited for renters at risk of eviction or living in unsafe housing conditions.

4.11 These budget submissions as well as broader community input have been considered across Council’s available homeless and affordable housing as well as Council’s community safety budgets. As such these two papers should be read in conjunction with each other to understand the proposed response to these submissions in totality.

4.12 Following the consideration of these submissions, it is proposed that additional budget allocations are as follows from Council’s homelessness and affordable housing budget allocation:

4.12.1 South Port Community Housing $150k in each of 2025/26 and 2026/27 to target upstream homelessness and support priority cohorts (including youth, First Nations and those experiencing homelessness), reducing reliance on crisis accommodation and improving long-term stability.

4.12.2 South Side Justice $100k in each of 2025/26 and 2026/27 for embedded lawyers to provide early intervention for private renters at risk of eviction, advocacy for housing rights, and capacity building for frontline workers.

4.12.3 $50k in 2025/26 for early feasibility work of potential Council sites that could be proposed for development of affordable housing by community housing providers, which would be determined through an expression of interest process.

4.13 It is proposed to retain any unspent funds in 2025/26 and 2026/27 for allocation at a future point in time.

4.14 In addition to budgetary support, several community provider submissions identified the need for Council to consider donations of land and/or buildings to enable long-term service delivery and housing solutions. These contributions were seen as critical to unlocking new opportunities for community-led housing and support initiatives.

4.15 As part of Action 3.2^{^[1]}, Council officers will explore the feasibility of allocating Council-owned land or buildings for donation or partnership opportunities, using the $50k proposed to be allocated earlier in this report. A process to enable these arrangements will also be developed, including an expression of interest for community housing providers. This work will commence in the new year as part of implementing the Housing and Homelessness Strategy.

4.16 Action 3.2 will also work alongside Council’s previously adopted Housing Strategy, which works alongside of Council’s Homelessness and Housing Strategy.

4.16.1 The Housing Strategy commits Council to supporting community housing development on Council land by:

· Providing financial and other assistance to help local organisations access State or Commonwealth funding (Action 2.12).

· Identifying suitable Council-owned land or airspace for housing projects, prioritising people with specific needs or a connection to Port Phillip (Action 3.2).

4.16.2 The Housing Strategy also includes actions to amend the Port Phillip Planning Scheme to seek 10% of new dwellings in future developments as affordable housing. This target reflects local need, with 10% of households experiencing severe or moderate rental stress. This 10% target is voluntary, as State policy does not allow mandatory affordable housing requirements in Planning Schemes. The amendment process is scheduled to begin in Q1 2026/27, subject to Council approval. Currently, the Planning Scheme includes a voluntary 6% affordable housing contribution for Fishermans Bend, excluding social housing uplift dwellings.

4.16.3 Consistent with the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy, the Housing Strategy also includes actions to identify opportunities for social and affordable housing on Council land and review planning controls to support affordable housing delivery.

Strategy Implementation and reporting:

4.17 The Strategy will be reviewed in year five to ensure alignment with Council’s budget priorities and commitments.

4.18 Feedback from Phase 2 engagement highlighted the need to prioritise delivery across several actions. In response, the following overarching projects have been identified for prioritisation:

4.18.1 Review and implementation of Council’s homelessness service model (underway) (Q2 2025/26)

4.18.2 Evaluation of Port Phillip Zero (underway) (Q2 2025/26)

4.18.3 Review protocols and procedures (such as the Assisting people who are sleeping rough protocol) (commence Q3 2025/26)

4.18.4 Development of a homelessness and affordable housing advocacy plan to seek support across a range of topics and issues (commence Q3 2025/26)

4.18.5 Prepare/Implement a Homelessness Awareness Communication, Engagement and Training Plan (commence Q1 26/27)

4.18.6 Prepare Social and Affordable Housing Development Guidelines (commence Q1 26/27).

4.19 The proposed Strategy delivery plan is at Attachment 2 and outlines the proposed immediate, short term, medium term and long term projects.

4.20 Implementation of the Strategy will be tracked through Council’s published reports: the quarterly CEO Report and the Annual Council Report.

4.21 These reporting mechanisms will monitor Council’s progress in implementing the Strategy and delivering its actions, while also recording any adjustments to the delivery program in response to unexpected delays.

4.22 The Strategy will be delivered under Council’s homelessness and affordable housing service. Each year, this service area will develop an annual Service Plan, which will include specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound actions against each of the activity areas identified in this Strategy.

4.23 At the end of each year, the homelessness and affordable housing service will review the implementation of the Service Plan, which will inform the development of the next annual Service Plan.

5. Consultation and Stakeholders

Developing the Strategy – Phase 1 engagement

5.1 The Phase 1 Engagement Program commenced in May 2025 and included:

· Surveys.

· Workshops.

· Neighbourhood Pop-ups.

· Written submissions.

· Other interactive methods.

5.2 The engagement methodology targeted both identified stakeholders and the broader community, with a deliberate focus on including people experiencing vulnerability — such as those with lived experience of rough sleeping, homelessness, and other forms of social disadvantage.

Testing the draft Strategy – Phase 2 engagement

5.3 The Phase 2 Engagement Program occurred from 6 October to 3 November 2025 and sought community and stakeholder feedback on the draft strategy and most specifically on the vision, strategic pillars, measures and actions.

5.4 Feedback on the draft strategy was sought over a four-week period and included:

· A survey on Have Your Say.

· Three workshops including 30 people with living and lived experiences of homelessness or vulnerability.

· Direct engagement with 104 people who had made submissions or signed up for workshops as part of the Phase 1 engagement program.

· Promotion of the Phase 2 engagement program through Council’s social media and website, and posters and flyers distributed to libraries, community centres, maternal and child health centres, childcare centres and the Victorian Pride Centre.

5.5 The Phase 2 engagement program invited feedback on the draft Strategy and also prioritisation of actions to inform how Council should consider implementation.

5.6 All the feedback received has been considered and the Strategy has been amended in response (Attachment 1).

6. LEGAL AND RISK IMPLICATIONS

6.1 There are no identified legal implications associated with the Strategy.

7. FINANCIAL IMPACT

7.1 The Strategy aims to ensure that Council’s expenditure in homelessness and affordable housing is financially sustainable and achieves best public value.

7.2 If Council wish to explore use of Council land, consulting spend may be required. This can be funded from the project funding Council has allocated; however, this will reduce the amount available to be allocated to other projects, initiatives or services.

7.3 A review of service agreements will ensure current use of spend is effective and distributed for maximum impact.

7.4 Aspects of the implementation program may require future budget allocation, to be determined through more detailed project scoping.

8. COMMUNITY IMPACT

8.1 Housing stress and homelessness have a significant effect on individuals health and wellbeing. Improving supports and housing availability can increase connectedness, social and cultural inclusion and cohesion, preventing/reducing harm, and hardship, in turn potentially preventing and reducing incidents of crime and anti-social behaviours.

8.2 The Strategy ensures Council has a clear and concise position to act on homelessness and affordable housing.

9. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

9.1 There can be an environmental impact of people sleeping rough be this bio-hazardous or harmful waste, rubbish, abandoned material aid or abandoned camps/items are left in hot-spot/high street areas and parks/open spaces. By supporting more persons into housing, this issue may be minimised.

10. SOCIAL IMPACT

10.1 Housing stress and homelessness have a significant effect on individuals health and wellbeing. Improving supports and housing availability can increase connectedness, social and cultural inclusion and cohesion, preventing/reducing harm, and hardship, in turn potentially preventing and reducing incidents of crime and anti-social behaviours.

10.2 The Strategy ensures Council has a clear and concise position to act on homelessness and affordable housing.

10.3 ECONOMIC IMPACTBy supporting Social and Affordable Housing, Council enables a diverse housing stock to be available for community members on very low, low, and moderate incomes. This supports a diverse socio-economic profile of the community and prevents some being priced out of living in the city. Affordable housing also allows those working in the city who may earn very low, low, or moderate incomes to live near to where they work (or live, work, play). This is particularly important for key workers i.e., those who provide an essential service to the community.

11. GENDER IMPACT

11.1 A gender impact assessment has been conducted on the draft strategy.

12. Alighnment to Council Plan and Council Policy

12.1 The Strategy aligns to the strategic direction “a healthy and connected community” and the outcome “our community have stable, safe, and affordable housing”.

13. Implementation Strategy

13.1 Final proposed Strategy will be presented at the Ordinary Meeting of Council for adoption on 10 December 2025.

14. OFFICER MATERIAL OR GENERAL INTEREST

14.1 No officers involved in the preparation of this briefing has declared a material or general interest in the matter.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Proposed Final Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy⇩

2. Implementation Plan⇩

3. Engagement Report⇩

Meeting of the Port Phillip City Council

10 December 2025

10.1

"Feel Safe. Be Safe. Community Safety Plan 2025-29"

Executive Member:

Brian Tee, General Manager, City Development

PREPARED BY:

Nellie Montague, Manager Safety and Amenity

Sandra Khazam, Community Safety Lead

1. PURPOSE

1.1 To outline the work undertaken in the development of the Community Safety Plan.

1.2 To present the Engagement Report for the final stage of feedback from the community.

1.3 To present the Community Safety Plan 2025-2029 for endorsement.

2. EXECUTIVE Summary

2.1 Council has identified community safety and social cohesion as priority areas. The Community Safety Plan is a tool to set clear objectives and actions to address these challenges and create positive change.

2.2 As the current Community Safety Plan finishes at the end of 2025, a new Plan has been developed.

2.3 Feel Safe. Be Safe. Community Safety Plan 2025-2029 (Attachment 1) – is based on extensive feedback from community and local service providers over the last 12 months.

2.4 The draft Plan was developed by recommendations from the Community Safety Roundtable held in March 2025 and initial feedback from five weeks of engagement including surveys, workshops and targeted community conversations from 23 May to 29 June 2025. This first draft was then sent out for a further four weeks of engagement from 6 October to 2 November 2025 (see Engagement Report in Attachment 3.) This feedback period included engagement with residents in our local communities experiencing unsafe environments and those with lived experience of homelessness or disadvantage.

2.5 The second round of feedback was then integrated into the final Community Safety Plan. Key changes include:

· Updating actions to be more tangible.

· Clarity on indicator outcomes and measures.

· Greater reference to family and gender-based violence.

· Reviewing language to strengthen empathy and trauma awareness.

· Support for collaborative and co-designed processes, projects and programs with community and services.

· Streamlining actions by removing Roundtable Report recommendations already included in Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy (where they were better located).

2.6 An Implementation Plan has been developed for the Community Safety Plan to outline the timing for delivery of its listed actions (Attachment 2).

3. RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

3.1 Thanks all community members, organisations and other stakeholders who have contributed to engagement and provided feedback to inform the Community Safety Plan.

3.2 Releases the Community Safety Engagement Report (Attachment 3).

3.3 Endorses the Feel Safe. Be Safe. Community Safety Plan 2025-2029 (Attachment 1) and authorises the Chief Executive Officer (or their delegate) to make minor editorial amendments that do not materially alter the intent of the Plan.

3.4 Endorses the allocation of:

3.4.1 A further $60,000 in 2026/27 in addition to the $60K in 2025/26 already allocated to Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation to support delivery of targeted support and outreach to First Nations residents experiencing homelessness improving long-term health and housing outcomes and stability.

3.4.2 $181,000 per annum in 2025/26 and 2026/27 to Better Health Network to fund the Whole of Housing Pre-Housing Model AOD worker or nurse to provide health-led, trauma informed outreach to address complex needs and support those experiencing homelessness for housing.

3.4.3 $50,000 to fund implementation of the Community Safety Plan as determined through the Project Control Group with a focus on advancing priority projects.

3.5 Notes that officers will work with the Salvation Army in relation to the Access Health van outreach to explore opportunities for advocacy or consideration by Council through future reviews of service agreements and budget processes.

4. KEY POINTS/ISSUES

4.1 Council’s current Community Safety Plan is finishing at the end of 2025. A new Plan will outline Council’s priorities and guide actions around community safety for the next four years.

4.2 As reported at the 17 September 2025 Council meeting, extensive community engagement was conducted to develop the draftPlan as well as collating feedback from other reports, policies and strategies ,such as the Community Safety Roundtable Report and the Plan for Port Phillip community engagement.

4.3 The purpose, objectives and actions in the Plan outline the key priority areas and align with other Council strategies and policies. Implementation of the actions sits across several Council teams.

4.4 While community safety is not solely a Council responsibility, Council plays a key part in creating a safer community and collaborating with local stakeholders and government.

4.5 The needs and expectations of the local community are continuously changing. In response, the purpose for the Community Safety Plan is to:

Improve feelings and experiences of safety by creating welcoming and safe spaces, supporting communities, strengthening partnerships, and reducing harm.

4.6 The new Community Safety Plan outlines Council’s intent to strengthen our current approach through working with partners by improving and enhancing service delivery. It builds on previous work and proposes new approaches for current and emerging issues to strengthen responses.

5. CONSULTATION AND STAKEHOLDERS

Informing the Community Safety Plan

5.1 To identify our community’s key priorities, engagement activities were conducted from 23 May – 29 June 2025 with over 800 people responding, including through surveys, workshops, Neighbourhood Pop-ups, submissions and more. See Attachment 4 for the Engagement Report for this phase.

5.2 Most of the Community Safety Roundtable recommendations are addressed in the draft Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy and the draft Community Safety Plan. The remainder are advocacy requests to government and have been included in the relevant Advocacy Plan.

5.3 A gender impact assessment for the draft Plan was conducted and its recommendations have been incorporated.  

5.4 Given that many of Council’s existing strategies and policies already address elements of community safety, the draft Community Safety Plan primarily concentrates on new or revised approaches, rather than duplicating existing initiatives.

5.5 All feedback from the May – June engagement was considered in developing the draft Community Safety Plan.

Testing the draft Community Safety Plan

5.6 Feedback the draft Plan was then sought over a four-week period from 6 October to 2 November and included:

· A survey on Have Your Say

· Three workshops attended by 30 people with living and lived experiences of homelessness or disadvantage and vulnerability.

· A direct invitation to speak to officers for the 104 people who had made submissions or signed up for workshops as part of the earlier engagement period from May to June 2025. This included people with lived experience of the impact of criminal and complex anti-social behaviour.

· Promotion of the opportunity for feedback through Council’s social media and website, posters and flyers distributed to libraries, community centres, maternal and child health centres, childcare centres and the Victorian Pride Centre.

· Targeting Business and trader associations to speak to officers via direct invitation,sharing of links and printed collateral.

5.7 During the engagement there were over 960 views of the Have Your Say webpage from over 500 visitors.Related social media posts across Facebook and Instagram generated over 10,000 views and 130 interactions, 1500 postcards were distributed and over 200 direct emails and 10,000 email newsletters were sent out with information about the engagement.

5.8 This reach resulted in 46 feedback forms being filled in on the Have Your Say engagement portal, 12 submissions, 30 people attending focus groups and 13 organisations submitting feedback.

5.9 Council engagements that have multiple touchpoints in the development of a Plan typically see a drop in participation in later rounds of community engagement. This may be due to people feeling they’ve had their say in the first round.

5.10 Detailed information about the feedback received is included in the Phase Four Engagement Report (Attachment 3).

What we heard about the draft Community Safety Plan

Community feedback

5.11 Feedback from general engagement through Have Your Say supported actions relating to:

· Activating our streets with increased lighting and CCTV.

· Council working collaboratively with local service providers and police.

· Increased access to safety sessions and a variety of perspectives to be presented.

5.12 Community priorities for Council to action were:

· Increase patrols with Victoria Police.

· Design public spaces in ways that help prevent crime and make people feel safe.

· Work with health and housing services for better community support.

5.13 Many respondents that provided submissions and filled in the feedback form reported that they were residents in our local communities, across a range of Port Phillip suburbs, ages and diversity categories. See Attachment 3 for further detail on demographics.

Feedback from people with lived experience as residents in our local communities experiencing unsafe environments

5.14 As endorsed in the Council motion in September, feedback was sought from 104 people with lived experience as residents in our local communities experiencing unsafe environments who had raised experiences from street-based complex behaviour. In addition, business associations were contacted to ensure they had opportunity to provide feedback.

5.15 Responses received via email included feedback around five areas:

· Personal and property safety such as rubbish bins in lanes being used to access properties.

· Concerns around safety on public transport due to antisocial behaviour.

· Community safety events being held during the day to ensure accessibility for older people.

· Concerns from older residents around travelling safely at night.

· Concerns around a lack of social cohesion.

5.16 Concerns expressed by the people who made submissions to the draft Community Safety Plan Report at the Council meeting on 17 September 2025 were also included as feedback. The key concerns raised through this meeting were:

· Ensuing adequate engagement with people experiencing homelessness.

· Strengthening relationships with housing providers and Police to address antisocial behaviour at public and community housing premises.

· The complex role of Police as first responders, and the need to create a health and welfare based first response.

· Support for housing and community support services.

· The importance of safe, inclusive, and activated public spaces.

· Ensuring clear, expert-led data collection and reporting.

· The need to quickly and effectively address place-based community safety concerns.

5.17 These themes have been addressed in the updated Community Safety Plan with relevant actions reviewed and strengthened where required.

Feedback from people with living and lived experiences of homelessness

5.18 As endorsed in the Council motion in September, trauma informed consultation took place through focus groups with people with living and lived experiences of homelessness who supported actions related to addressing social isolation and building community by:

· Increasing community awareness of experiences of vulnerable community members.

· Funding and supporting community programs to help people feel less isolated.

· Collaborative and coordinated support services and assertive outreach.

· Environmental design to increase safety through CCTV, lighting, signage and seating and Inclusive design for people with different abilities

5.19 The focus groups encouraged Council to:

· Provide long-term funding to ensure continuity of community programs

· Focus on actions, support and services that are localised within Port Phillip.

· Continue engagement in collaborative consultation with people with lived and living experience of homelessness, mental health, and alcohol and other substance dependence when rolling out actions.

· Address root causes of unsafe behaviour and focus on prevention rather than punishment.

5.20 Focus group members identified these top priorities for Council:

· Work with health and housing services for better community support.

· Help people feel less alone and build stronger communities.

· Design public spaces to help prevent crime and make people feel safer.

Community Safety Roundtable

5.21 A follow up Community Safety Roundtable was held on 22 October 2025. Seventeen representatives across fifteen organisations accepted the invitation. Thirteen people attended from twelve organisations (the weather, illness and other commitments depleted numbers on the day). Other invitees provided written feedback.

5.22 The Roundtable strongly endorsed actions relating to:

· Education, awareness and anti-stigma campaigns to increase understanding in community.

· Cleaning, lighting and activation of streets, particularly at night.

· Safety solutions that do not rely on police and local laws.

· Addressing root causes of safety issues.

· Trauma-informed care.

5.23 The Roundtable participants encouraged Council to:

· Explore joint patrol that focused on community health interventions, with a focus on community workers and peer support, without the presence of Victoria Police and Local Laws.

· Consul with people from vulnerable communities, with lived and living experience of homelessness, and with complex mental health issues throughout implementation of plan.

· Focus on fmily violence prevention and support, and alcohol and other drugs support.

5.24 The Roundtable’s top three priorities for Council to action were to:

· Improve lighting, signage and access in public spaces.

· Help people feel less alone and build stronger communities.

· Work with health and housing services for better community support

5.25 Roundtable participants’ feedback has been integrated into the attached Plan (Attachment 1).

Service Providers

5.26 Feedback was also received from ten service providers or community groups, including some that participated in the Roundtable. The organisations were:

· Vixen

· Progressive Port Phillip

· First Step

· Residents of Port Phillip, Inc.

· Elwood Canal Action Team Inc.

· The Jewish Community Council of Victoria

· Better Health Network

· Port Phillip Community Group

· Southport Community Housing Group

· Southside Justice

5.27 Below is a summary of feedback from these submissions.

· Use of public space: ensuring environmental safety, addressing antisocial behaviour, trauma aware enforcement and policing, improved lighting and CPTED in priority areas, safe, welcoming, activated public spaces.

· Inclusion, Diversity & Cultural Safety: cultural representation and education for diverse communities, support for First Nations gathering spaces and cultural practices, anti-stigma campaigns and community education.

· Homelessness and Housing: homelessness as a safety issue, not just housing, endorsement of assertive outreach and wraparound supports, emergency accommodation and ‘staying housed’ supports needed, daytime and after-hours gathering spaces for unhoused people.

· Health and Harm Reduction: clearer health domain definitions (mental health, AOD, primary care), street-based, peer-led harm reduction models, proposal for medically supervised injecting room, whole-of-person health lens for safety and housing.

· Community-Led and Trauma-Informed Approaches: community-led evaluation and lived experience inclusion, caution around joint patrols with police, advocating for health-led models, peer support and community champions as safety leaders, mapping and visibility of existing support services.

· Governance, Coordination & Accountability: formal protocols between Council, Police, and services, dedicated internal coordination function within Council, need for implementation plans, performance measures, and public reporting, digital inclusion and multi-modal access to services, evidence-based crime data presentation to avoid fear-based narratives.

Overall findings

5.28 Overall, feedback was constructive and supportive and indicated high community sentiment for delivery to commence. Based on feedback, actions in the Community Safety Plan have been grouped thematically to reflect the following nine areas and delivery priorities identified through engagement:

· Partner Protocols and Service Agreements

· Place-based activity (including Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)

· Community co-designed programs

· Family violence prevention

· Community impact response and harm reduction

· Advocacy

· Communication campaigns and programs

· CCTV renewal, maintenance and expansion

· Data monitoring and evaluation

How we have responded to the feedback

What we heard	What we have changed
The language in actions needs to be more tangible.	Language in six actions has been made more directive.
There was lack of clarity and/or concerns around the robustness of actions around homelessness/ housing responses and support for First Nations peoples.	This predominately related to Roundtable Recommendation actions that were initially included in both documents, especially around homelessness, housing and programs as transition to housing supports, service gaps, opportunities and alternate models, hubs, and gathering place. Five actions from the Community Safety Plan have been removed and are in the Homelessness and Affordable Housing Strategy (numbers 1.7, 1.16, 5.4, 5.5). One action is replicated in the Reconciliation Action Plan and has been removed. One action is being delivered through the Advocacy Plan and has been removed. One action relating to nighttime experiences has been integrated into safety audits (Action 1.11). One action relating to social cohesion gaps and opportunities has been removed as it will be a separate project. In total, nine actions have been removed from the Community Safety Plan but replicated in other documents.
There needed to be greater reference to family and gender-based violence as a priority for community safety	The action around family violence has been strengthened, and greater clarity around how the gender impact assessment underpins the document.
Community wanted to understand how actions will be measured.	Indicator outcomes and measures have been included in the Community Safety Plan, with targets for tracking in the Implementation Plan. New baseline data will be identified where required.
The Youth Advisory Committee specified online safety as a priority	Updated to include co-designed program around online safety.
General feedback supported trauma aware and empathetic language.	The Plan’s language has been reviewed to build on this strength.
Feedback emphasised the importance of co-design around program development and delivery	Actions around collaborative and co-designed processes, projects and programs have been strengthened.

Reporting on the Community Safety Plan

5.29 An Implementation Plan (Attachment 2) has been developed to track progress across the four years of delivery.

5.30 Reporting on actions will be incorporated into the Council’s monthly and quarterly reporting cycle, and the Annual Report.  

5.31 Regular reporting allows for a clear overview of actions taken and achieved, as well as to highlight how any lessons learned through the implementation of the Plan are tracking.

5.32 A ‘Plan on a page’ will be designed to have the Community Safety Plan’s key messages and actions available in a simple and accessible format.

6. LEGAL AND RISK IMPLICATIONS

6.1 There are no identified legal implications associated with the draft Community Safety Plan or actions.

7. FINANCIAL IMPACT

7.1 Council has committed $250,000 per year for 4 years to support community safety including the funding of the Community Safety Roundtable Recommendations and delivery of the Community Safety Plan.

7.2 Of the 2025/26 budget, a total of $92,000 has already been allocated, which has included an allocation of $60,000 to support Ngwala Willumbong to fund an outreach worker to support First Nations residents currently sleeping rough and $32,000 to Launch Housing to enable an uplift of the existing Rough Sleeping Initiative which manages Councils By Name List and provides case management and outreach to those sleeping rough in the City of Port Phillip.

7.3 Council sought targeted community consultation to inform the effective allocation of project funds. Feedback was gathered through members of the Community Safety Roundtable and the Port Phillip Zero Executive, both of whom are well-positioned to advise on opportunities for greatest impact.

7.4 Following the consideration of these submissions, it is proposed that additional budget allocations are as follows from Council’s community safety budget:

7.4.1 A further $60,000 in 2026/27 in addition to the $60,000 in 2025/26 already allocated to Ngwala Willumbong to support delivery of targeted support and outreach to First Nations residents experiencing homelessness improving long-term health and housing outcomes and stability.

7.4.2 $181,000 in 2025/26 and 2026/27 to Better Health Network to fund the Whole of Housing Pre-Housing Model AOD worker or nurse to provide health-led, trauma informed outreach to address complex needs and support those experiencing homelessness for housing.

7.5 Additionally, it is proposed $50,000 be allocated to fund implementation of the Community Safety Plan with a focus on advancing priority projects.

7.6 These allocations would exceed the community safety budget by $73,000. As part of the Community Safety Roundtable recommendations, officers have reviewed Council’s homelessness service model and found efficiency savings, which can be utilised by Council to fund the gap in required funding.

7.7 As the Salvation Army Access Health van project is relatively new, it is recommended that officers seek further information and continue to work with them on opportunities for advocacy or further consideration by Council through future reviews of service agreements and budget processes

Community Safety Program proposed budget priorities for Year 1 2025/26:

Priority area	Program	Estimate
Partner Protocols and Service Agreements Community impact response and harm reduction Community co-designed programs Family violence prevention Communication campaigns and programs	Ngwala Service Agreement enhanced homelessness and health outreach for First Nations	$60,000
	Launch Housing Service Agreement enhanced homelessness outreach	$32,000
	Better Health Network delivery of health-led outreach model	$181,000
	Community Safety Plan implementation	$50,000
TOTAL		$323,000

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design proposed budget priorities for Year 1 2025/26

Priority area	Project/program	Estimate
Place-based activity	Woodstock Street carpark	$45,000
Place-based activity	Cecil Street/Coventry Street	$15,000
Place-based activity	Lighting audit around key activity areas	$20,000
Place-based activity	Site to be confirmed	$20,000
TOTAL		$100,000

7.8 The Implementation Plan will be reviewed each year of the life of the Plan to guide annual budget spends on actions.

8. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

8.1 An unsafe or unsupported community may see an environmental impact such as increase in waste, rubbish, abandoned items or an increase in graffiti.

8.2 By supporting all members of our community, the general environment, health and wellbeing will be improved.

8.3 There can be an environmental impact of people sleeping rough be this bio-hazardous or harmful waste, rubbish, abandoned material aid or abandoned camps/items are left in hot-spot/high street areas and parks/open spaces. By supporting more persons into housing and supporting their health and wellbeing this issue may be minimised.

9. COMMUNITY IMPACT

9.1 Experiences and feelings of safety have a significant effect on the health and wellbeing of individuals and their sense of belonging and community connection.

9.2 Improving community safety can increase connectedness, social and cultural inclusion and cohesion and prevent or reduce harm, trauma, stigma and hardship. This can have positive impact on reducing incidents of crime and anti-social behaviours. 

9.3 The Community Safety Plan will provide Council with clear and achievable directions and actions to improve community safety. 

9.4 When people feel safe in their environments—whether in public spaces, at home, or online—they are more likely to engage in civic life, build trust with neighbours, and access services without fear.

9.5 Effective community safety initiatives can reduce criminal or antisocial incidents, while also addressing underlying issues such as inequality, mental health, and substance use. Ultimately, a strong focus on community safety fosters inclusive, vibrant communities where individuals and families can thrive.

10. Gender Impact Assessment

10.1 A gender impact assessment has been conducted on the draft Plan and recommendations have been taken into consideration in the development of the Plan.

11. ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL PLAN AND COUNCIL POLICY

11.1 The Community Safety Plan aligns to the Council strategic direction of A safe and liveable City.

11.2 It delivers on the priority of “Review and implement a new Community Safety Plan to enhance the safety and resilience of our community”. The Plan also supports the health priorities outlined in the Plan for Port Phillip.

12. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

12.1 TIMELINE

12.1.1 Delivery of some actions following endorsement of Roundtable Recommendations has already commenced.

12.1.2 If Council resolves to endorse the Community Safety Plan, delivery on the actions through the Implementation Plan will commence.

12.2 COMMUNICATION

12.2.1 The new Community Safety Plan, Implementation Plan and Engagement Report will be published on the Council website and shared through Council’s social media channels and Divercity. Hard copies of the Plan will be available at Libraries and Assist counters.

13. OFFICER MATERIAL OR GENERAL INTEREST

13.1 No officers involved in the preparation of this report has declared a material or general interest in the matter.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Feel Safe. Be Safe. Community Safety Plan 2025-2029⇩

2. Community Safety Plan_Implementation Plan December 2025⇩

3. Community Safety Plan Phase Four Engagement Report⇩

4. Community Safety Plan Phase Three Engagement Report⇩

Meeting of the Port Phillip City Council

10 December 2025

10.2	Proposed Local Law Amendment Update and Draft Protocol with Police
Executive Member:	Brian Tee, General Manager, City Development
PREPARED BY:	Nellie Montague, Manager Safety and Amenity

1. PURPOSE

1.1 To update Council on the outcome of community engagement on proposed amendments to the Community Amenity Local Law 2023 (Local Law), consider possible amendments to the Local Law and recommend endorsing an Operating Protocol with Victoria Police (VicPol).

2. EXECUTIVE Summary

2.1 The City of Port Phillip has a proud history of a compassionate approach to assisting the most vulnerable within our community and being a sector leader in working with housing, mental health, drug and alcohol and other services to address the underlying causes of rough sleeping. Many of the Council initiatives are detailed in Council’s Feel Safe. Be Safe. Community Safety Plan 2025-2029 and are also being considered and actioned by Council through the Affordable Housing and Homelessness Strategy, Port Phillip Zero Program and Trauma Aware Port Phillip.

2.2 Throughout October to December 2024, between 10 and 15 individuals camped in a small Council owned carpark 50 metres away from Fitzroy St. Local residents raised concerns with Council about the adverse amenity impacts including people defecating and urinating in nearby residential properties, clearly visible drug paraphernalia, drug use and dealing, the presence of rubbish and what appeared to be stolen goods, yelling and aggressive behaviour including late at night. Residents reported feeling intimidated and unsafe, being unable to sleep and described adverse mental health and other impacts.

2.3 In response, Council increased Local Law patrols and worked with drug and alcohol, housing and other service providers to provide required support. Following ongoing engagement by service providers and patrols with Police support, over time the campers moved away.

2.4 In response to the situation outlined above, there were Council decisions in December 2024, February and May 2025 that:

2.4.1 Established a Community Safety Roundtable (the Roundtable) with service providers and Police to identify actions to increase public safety and perceptions of safety. The Roundtable Report (Attachment 4) included a recommendation to establish a protocol between Victoria Police and Council. This report recommends endorsement of the subsequently developed Operating Protocol. (Attachment 1)

2.4.2 Initiated public engagement on a proposed change to Council’s Local Law that would strengthen Council’s powers to dismantle encampments. This report summarises the outcome of that public engagement.

2.4.3 Initiated the investigation of amendments to Council’s Local Laws to address any adverse amenity impacts of the behaviour of rough sleepers. These Local Law options are considered in this report.

2.5 The Local Law amendments would provide an option, where other interventions have failed, to dismantle an encampment through the removal of encampment equipment.

2.6 Dismantling an encampment is important for residents living near an encampment who are impacted by the amenity impacts including noise, threats and illegal behaviour.

2.7 While Victoria Police support the proposed Local Law amendments, community service providers do not support the amendments.

2.8 Service Providers note the potential risk of escalation with police should rough sleepers refuse to move encampment equipment when directed by Council Local Law officers. Instead of a local law change, service providers recommend improved service delivery (drug and alcohol, housing, mental health etc.) to address the underlying causes of rough sleeping.

2.9 Regardless of whether a Local Law amendment option is endorsed, Council will continue to implement the Community Safety Plan Actions and Roundtable Report Recommendations (Attachment 4) and other programs and strategies to improve community safety.

3. RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

3.1 Thanks the community for their feedback during May and June 2025 on the proposed Local Law 'no-encampment designation' amendment.

3.2 Endorses (insert option):

Option A

3.2.1 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, to commence the statutory process for a Local Law amendment to add a new Part 4A Encampment Equipment on Council Land as per Attachment 2 allowing the CEO to designate a “no encampment” area in response to behaviours that have or may have adverse amenity and welfare impacts, provided the conditions in the Local Law (Attachment 2) are met and empowering Council’s Authorised Officers to remove encampment equipment from the no encampment area.

3.2.2 Allocates $60,000 for communications, engagement, reporting, and legal review to fulfil the Local Government Act requirements for a new Local Law amendment.

3.2.3 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer, or their deleage, to sign the Police Protocol (Attachment 1) on behalf of Council. 

Option B

3.2.4 Authorises the CEO to commence the statutory process for a Local Law amendment to add a new Part 4A Encampment Equipment on Council Land as per Attachment 3 allowing Council’s Authorised Officers to respond to behaviours in camps that have or may have adverse amenity and welfare impacts, provided the conditions in the local law (Attachment 3) are met and empowering Council’s Authorised Officers to remove encampment equipment.

3.2.5 Allocate $60,000 for communications, engagement, reporting, and legal review to fulfil the Local Government Act requirements for a new Local Law amendment.

3.2.6 Authorises the CEO or delegate to renegotiate the Police Protocol (Attachment 1) so that it applies to Option B and requests that any renegotiated Protocol is brought to a future Council meeting for endorsement.

Option C

3.2.7 Not amend the Local Law and authorises the CEO or delegate to sign the Police Protocol (Attachment 1) on behalf of Council.

4. KEY POINTS/ISSUES

Port Phillip in Context

4.1 Port Phillip has 109,515 residents from 163 birthplaces, speaking 114 languages. Most are aged 18–49, but the proportion of residents over 60 is expected to grow. 91% of residents live in medium/high-density housing; 41% of households are singles; 44% are renters. The population of Port Phillip is forecast to grow by 60,000 by 2041. Housing stress is significant, with Council advocating for State and Federal intervention.

4.2 Around 25 people sleep rough nightly; many more are in cars, couch surfing or crisis accommodation. Causes include family violence, housing shortages, unemployment, mental illness and substance abuse. 

4.3 Crime rates in Port Phillip are higher than the Victorian average. In the year ending June 2025, Port Phillip recorded 10,974 criminal incidents per 100,000 population, compared to the Victorian average of 6,814. Perceptions of safety data from the annual Community Satisfaction Survey 2025 showed perception of safety in public areas was reported as 7.6 on a very unsafe to very safe scale of 1 to 10.

4.4 Port Phillip’s incidence of family violence is below the state average but does fluctuate. June 2025 rate: 1,425 per 100,000 vs Victorian average of 1,499.

4.5 In 2021, alcohol and drug-related hospitalisations were 22.6 per 1,000 residents (Vic avg: 8.73). Drug offences in 2020/21 were 50% higher than the Victorian rate; alcohol-related family violence incidents were 71% higher.

Local Law Amendment in Context

4.6 Between October and December 2024, individuals gathered in the Jackson Street Carpark, a small council owned carpark 50 metres away from Fitzroy St. While the number of individuals varied and could spike, generally there were between 10 and 15 people with items including mattress, trolleys, suitcases, bedding, bicycles, boxes and other articles.

4.7 Local residents raised concerns about the adverse amenity impacts including at a Council meeting on 27 November 2024, when residents presented their experiences of people defecating and urinating in nearby residential properties, clearly visible drug paraphernalia, drug use and dealing, the presence of rubbish and what appeared to be stolen goods, yelling and aggressive behaviour including late at night. Residents reported feeling intimidated and unsafe, being unable to sleep and described adverse mental health and other impacts.

4.8 In response, Council increased Local Law patrols, placed Council’s mobile CCTV camera in the carpark and worked with drug and alcohol, housing and other service providers to try find suitable alternative accommodation and provide required support. Every morning Local Law officers attended and asked campers to leave. Local Law officers were threatened and could not enter the area safely without Police. Local services continued with assertive outreach to support with housing options and links to health supports. Following ongoing concentrated patrols with Police support over a period of time, the campers moved away.

4.9 Following the concerns raised at the 24 November 2024 Council meeting, a notice of motion on 11 December 2024 supported a Community Safety Roundtable to bring together services with a range of experience, expertise and capability to identify actions to increase public safety and perceptions of safety. The motion requested that the Mayor write to Victoria Police seeking advice and recommendations on Local Laws. This occurred on the 24 January 2025 and, in response, Victoria Police proposed a working group to consider Local Law amendments.

4.10 On 19 February 2025 Council passed a notice of motion to investigate changes to the Council Local Law Clause 17 (Behaviour on Council land), Clause 42 (Camping on Council Land) and Clause 43 (Furniture and other items on Council Land and Footpaths) to see if such changes could help address public safety and amenity concerns while considering human rights and other relevant factors.

Roundtable Report

4.11 In response to the December 2024 Notice of Motion, a Community Safety Roundtable was held on 19 March 2025 with twenty stakeholders, including service providers with expertise in drug and alcohol support, housing, mental health, legal and academic expertise and Police, in attendance. It was chaired by Ian Gray AM, a long-time Port Phillip resident with experience in the legal, justice, and community sectors. The roundtable recommendations relevant a consideration of changes to Local Laws, policing and enforcement are:

· An increase in Victoria Police resources for the Neighbourhood Policing model, including more foot patrols, local engagement, and problem-solving in identified safety hotspots. CoPP to continue advocating and collaborating.

· Advocate for an Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer dedicated to the Port Phillip Police Service Area.

· Develop and pilot a welfare-based joint patrol model involving Victoria Police, CoPP Local Laws, outreach workers, peer support, and other services to engage rough sleepers and people with complex needs.

· Establish a formal partnership agreement between Victoria Police and CoPP for a coordinated homelessness response, drawing on the City of Melbourne and Victoria Police Homelessness Operating Protocol.

· Confirm adequacy of current by-laws, focusing on effective implementation and coordination rather than legislative change.

· Ensure CoPP and Victoria Police protocols prioritize rapid social and therapeutic intervention as the primary goal, with enforcement as a last resort.

4.12 In their submission to the Roundtable Report (Attachment 4), the Police recommend Local Law amendments with a tiered response:

· Intervention – Prioritise swift social and therapeutic support, offering alternative living and sleeping arrangements.

· Assessment – Agencies quickly determine needs and implement housing, medical or support solutions.

· Enforcement – If support is refused, Local Laws Officers and Neighbourhood Policing Team dismantle encampments.

4.13 On 2 May Council received a joint letter from service providers opposing the Local Law amendment proposed in the February motion. The letter was signed by the CEOs of Southside Justice, First Step, Justice Connect, Fitzroy Legal Service and Inner Melbourne Community Legal, and was endorsed by 28 other services. The service providers expressed support for investment in services, outreach and prevention, and opposed the proposed changes to the Local Law. The letter was tabled at the 21 May Council meeting.

21 May 2025 Council Meeting

4.14 The Roundtable Report (Attachment 4) was tabled at the 21 May 2025 Council meeting.

4.15 In addition, at the 21 May 2025 Council Meeting an alternative amendment to the Local Law than the one outlined in the February 2025 motion was supported by Council. Instead of the February motion, an amendment to the Local Law targeting encampments was endorsed for community engagement noting that this will include:

4.15.1 The ability to temporarily designate an area as a no encampment area in consultation with key stakeholders so that:

a) The amenity of the Council land or the amenity of land in the vicinity of the Council land is or is likely to be adversely affected; or

b) The safety or welfare of a person is or is likely to be put at risk by behaviours of persons congregating on Council land with the intention or apparent intention of camping or sleeping there.

4.15.2 Notes that:

a) such a designation could be considered an exceptional circumstance after existing and enhanced assertive outreach models with service providers and supportive conversations had failed.

b) that enforcement of the potential amendment would not include fines, but instead, the removal and impoundment of equipment following provision of outreach and support services, where individuals have refused both a request and then warning to remove the material from the designated area.

Community Engagement Outcomes

4.16 As resolved in the 21 May 2025 Council meeting, community engagement occurred between 22 May and 29 June 2025. Engagement activities included an online survey, neighbourhood pop ups and 5 community workshops.

Survey 

4.17 852 responses to the proposed Local Law amendment were received. 54.3% oppose (48.7% strongly oppose), 37.3% support (26.7% strongly support)

· Opposition themes include human rights concerns, criminalising homelessness, and harm to vulnerable people.

· Support themes include improved safety and consistency with other councils.

Written submissions  

4.18 As part of the engagement process, 11 written submissions were received:

· 8 opposed the proposed Local Law amendment

· 2 supported the proposed Local Law amendment

· 1 suggested the amendment does not go far enough

4.19 One submission included a petition with 255 signatures, raising concerns about potential harm to vulnerable people and urging a focus on recommendations from the Community Safety Roundtable.

Workshops  

4.20 At five community safety workshops in May and June, 43 participants provided feedback—some supporting the proposal, others expressing concern. Some were disappointed that the Local Law amendment was included in general safety discussions rather than having its own dedicated session, fearing it could skew the broader conversation. Participants wanted more information to understand the amendment and its potential benefits or drawbacks.  

Current regulatory framework 

4.21 Several existing clauses in the Community Amenity Local Law 2023 are relevant to the consideration of development of the proposed Local Law amendments including: 

· Clause 17 - Behaviour on Council Land and Roads - a person must not create a nuisance, interfere with others, harass or fail to comply with directions from an Authorised officer. 

· Clause 42 - Camping on Council Land - a person must not camp. However, people are exempt if they are homeless or have complex needs or need additional assistance because of mental or physical disability or illness. 

· Clause 43 - Furniture and Other Items on Council Land and Roads - a person must not obstruct footpaths or accessway; if items are not removed when asked, items can be seized. Furniture includes bed frames, bed mattresses, chairs, tables, crates, kitchen appliances, and the like. 

· Clause 78 - Where a person owning or responsible for items, goods or equipment has ignored a request from an authorised officer to remove them, the items can be removed or impounded. 

4.38 In addition, the Procedures and Protocol Manual provides the following in relation to the enforcement of a Local Law;

When conducting any investigations under the Local Law, authorised officers will have regard to their obligations under the Charter for Human Rights and Responsibilities.

The City of Port Phillip recognises that there are many people within the community that are homeless or may have complex needs, such as mental illness, addiction or domestic violence.

Authorised officers will continue to perform their duties with consideration and compassion and provide referrals to other work areas in Council to assist in these circumstances.

4.39 Amendments to Council’s Local Law cannot cover areas already covered by State Legislation. This section of the report summarises the relevant State Legislation.

4.40 VicPol, under the Summary Offences Act (1966), have powers to 'move on' individuals breaching or likely to breach the peace, endanger safety, or damage property. Police have authority, training, and equipment to move people and respond to criminal behaviour. Consequently, Council cannot make a Local Law to “move on” individuals.

4.41 Any new Local Law must also comply with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006. Rights protected in the charter include freedom of movement, privacy, peaceful assembly, and property rights.

Local Law Amendment Options A and Option B

4.42 Two options to amend Council’s Local Law are considered in this report. (Options A and B). In addition, Councillors may choose to not amend Council’s Local Laws (Option C).

Local Law Amendment Option A

4.43 On 21 May 2025 Council passed a resolution to consider a Local Law Amendment to the adverse amenity issues associated with encampments (the encampment clause).

4.44 In response, Option A has been developed, applying where there is an encampment of 3 or more persons. Option A allows the CEO to temporarily designate “no encampment” areas where camping is prohibited.

4.45 The designation can be made if the CEO is satisfied that the amenity of people on and around the area is adversely impacted, or the safety or welfare of a person is likely to be put at risk by an encampment of three or more persons. Any designation must be published on the Council website and posted on the land where the encampment is taking place.

4.46 Prior to the designation of a “no encampment” area, an assurance from Police must be sought to enforce the provisions if the designation is made.

4.47 If the encampment continues after the designation of a “no encampment” area, authorised officers can direct a person to remove encampment equipment and, if the person fails to do so, authorised officers can impound the encampment equipment.

4.48 Police have been consulted about their ability to have Police resources available to support Council officers in enforcing a “no encampment” clause and this is captured in the Operational Protocol as Appendix 1. (Attachment 1).

4.49 Council has obtained legal advice as to the form and the content of the Local Law change for the purposes of commencing the statutory process to commence the Local Law Amendment. The formal wording for the proposed Local Law Amendment for Option A is Attachment 2.

4.50 In reviewing this option Council officers have considered the community and stakeholder feedback (including Police and Community Service providers), the ability to implement Option A, the impact of implementation and the legal review (including the Human Rights Charter). This review is summarised in Table 1.

Measure	Detail	Comment
Community  Feedback	Over half of 852 survey respondents oppose the proposed Local Law amendment (54.3% strongly oppose + oppose), with 37.3% supporting it (strongly support + support).  Of 11 written submissions, 8 did not support the proposed amendments, 2 submissions were in favour and 1 stated that the proposed amendment did not go far enough.  If Council proceeds with this option, there will be further community engagement as part of the statutory engagement process.	Findings show that while the majority do not support the proposed Local Law, a significant portion of the community do support the proposed amendment.
Service Provider Feedback	The Roundtable Report outlines that no service provider submissions supported Local Law amendments. Instead, they supported services, outreach and prevention.  Action 6 of the Report was to ‘confirm adequacy of current by laws, emphasising the need for effective implementation and coordination rather than legislative change.’  Joint letter received from 32 service providers opposing amendments to the Local Law due to inconsistencies with Council’s obligations under the Charter of Human Rights, lack of support for effectively criminalising rough sleeping and that the amendment would be unproductive and waste community resources.	Service provider support for services, outreach and prevention rather than amendment to the Local Laws
Police  Feedback	Police submission to the Roundtable outlined support for amendments with a caveat that a tiered approach be undertaken including intervention, assessment and enforcement.	Police support amendment
Ability to implement  and impact	Prior to the designation of a “no encampment” area, Local Law officers must use their best endeavours to address the behaviours that are adversely impacting amenity or safety with support through local health and outreach services. This designation would occur after a tiered and collaborative approach to dismantling encampments was unsuccessful.  The tiered approach is outlined in the protocol (Attachment 1) Enforcement would not include fines. Instead, the focus would be on the removal and impoundment of encampment equipment. The items would be stored and subsequently returned upon request.  Smaller personal items such as bags and paperwork will not be removed, unless they are abandoned.  The threat of removing encampment equipment may act as a deterrent. The removal will only occur after the individuals have been asked to remove the material from the designated area and then warned that their equipment will be removed. A designation will be posed where the encampment is taking place to advise those in the encampment that they must move encampment equipment. In extreme cases, where encampment equipment is not removed, the removal of encampment equipment by Local Laws officers may require Police support. This support is set out in the Operational Protocol with Police (Attachment 1) and requires that the CEO ask VicPol for support prior to triggering the “no encampment” Local Law. There may be an adverse reputational impact for Council if Police are required to restrain individuals in an encampment so that Local Laws officers can remove encampment equipment. It is not certain that Police will have the resources to help dismantle encampments. The clause may have limited impact if individuals remain after the removal of encampment equipment. (Noting that the Local Law amendment will not prevent individuals from being part of the encampment.) The proposed Local Law applies to encampments of more than 3 individuals camping in a designated area. It does not apply to other areas in the municipality.    The proposed Local Law is limited to encampments on Council land near residential or commercial areas. It does not apply to other areas in the municipality.  The proposed Local Law is limited to areas specified and, potentially, for the period specified by the CEO. The proposed Local Law does not apply after the designation ends.	Designation would depend on if Police have the resources to implement.  Designation would temporarily remove the current exemption to camping in the Local Law   Removal of the current camping exemptions would allow items to be removed.
Legal  review  Human Rights Charter	A legal review of the proposed Local Law amendment has found the amendment is legally able to be added to the Local Law following required community engagement and gazetting.  From a legal perspective, while there is a basic level of confidence about the compliance of provision with the Charter the issue is not completely beyond doubt. In implementing the “no encampment clause” officers will need to comply with all State Legislation and the Human Rights Charter.	Legal review on the proposed amendment has been undertaken

Table 1. Review of Option A

Protocol with VicPol  

4.51 The Roundtable Report (Attachment 4) tabled at the 21 May 2025 Council meeting recommended the development of an Operation Protocol (Attachment 1). Officers have worked with Police on an Operating Protocol that was signed by Police on 21 November 2025. This report recommends that Council endorse the Protocol to strengthen collaboration between City of Port Phillip and VicPol.

4.52 The Protocol documents (and builds on) existing practices of CoPP, service providers and Police to work together to deliver coordinated responses connecting individuals to housing, mental health, and drug and alcohol and other support. The Protocol adopts a trauma-informed, culturally safe, and human rights-based approach, balancing the rights of individuals in public spaces with community safety.

Joint Patrols 

4.53 The Protocol provides that Local Law Officers will work with VicPol to jointly patrol key high streets. These joint patrols depend on the availability of Police resources, and competing Police priorities may limit attendance.

4.54 The Joint patrols provide opportunities to share street-level information and allow traders and residents to raise concerns with Police and Local Laws Officers. They also help deter, detect, and resolve crime and improve perceptions of safety.

Weekly Operational Meetings with Service Providers 

4.55 The Protocol provides that Council officers and VicPol will attend weekly meetings with service providers to coordinate the delivery of support to address community, rough sleepers and encampment issues.

Encampments

4.56 Under the Protocol, when an encampment is identified, Council and VicPol will convene a meeting of service providers to create a strategy to disperse the individuals in the encampment by connecting the individuals to housing and other supports and requesting that those in the encampment leave the encampment.

4.57 Meetings will continue as needed to review progress and adjust the strategy until the encampment is resolved.

The protocol Appendix 1 dealing with Encampment

4.58 The Appendix 1 of the protocol will only apply if Council amends the Local Law to include a “no encampment clause” (Option A).

4.59 It provides that the Council CEO will consult with Victoria Police before making a “no encampment” designation to seek assurance that the necessary resources are available to implement the “no encampment” clause.

4.60 Under the Protocol, Victoria Police agree that, if available, they will support the safe removal of “encampment equipment” by attending the encampment and ensuring that Council officers are not prevented from exercising the powers to remove “encampment equipment”.

Local Law Amendment Option B

4.61 Working with Councillors, officers have developed another Local Law Amendment Option (Option B). Option B provides that, where person or persons are camping with encamping equipment and behaving in a manner that has adverse amenity impacts or may risk safety or wellbeing, an authorised officer can direct the person to remove the encampment equipment from council land. If the person does not comply with the direction, the council officer can remove and impound the encampment equipment.

4.62 Prior to authorised officers directing items to be removed, authorised officers must use their best endeavours to address the behaviours that are adversely impacting amenity or safety with support through local health and outreach services. The formal wording for the proposed Local Law Amendment is contained in Attachment 3.

4.63 In reviewing this option Council officers have considered stakeholder views (Police and Community Service providers), the ability to implement Option B and the impact of implementation and the legal review (including the Human Rights Charter). This review is summarised in Table 2.

Measure	Detail	Comment
Community  Views	While Option A has been subject to detailed community engagement, there has been no community consideration of Option B. However, if Council proceeds with this option, there will be community engagement as part of the statutory process.	Engagement will occur if Council approves commencement of the statutory process to change a Local Law.
Service Provider Feedback	Service providers have advised that they do not support Option B. Instead, they support improved services, outreach and prevention rather than changes to the Local Law.	Service providers support services support outreach and not Option B.
Police  Feedback	Police have advised Council that they do support Option B.	Police support Option B
Ability to implement  and impact	Option A has a more restricted operation compared to Option B. Specifically, · Option A applies to areas designated by the CEO and allows for period of designation. Option B applies across the municipality at all times. · Enforcement of Option A will require a decision of the CEO whereas the decision to commence enforcement under Option B will be made by authorised officers. · Option A has a focus on an encampments with three or more people whereas Option B can apply to any number of persons. · Option A requires that the CEO requests Police support prior to enforcement of the Option. While Option B does not have a formal requirement to request Police support, in practice, authorised officers will not implement Option B if it is not safe to do so. · Both option A and B require authorised officers to use their best endeavours to address behaviours that are having adverse amenity impacts. Prior to the removal of encampment equipment, Option B requires that authorised officers must first use best endeavours to address the behaviours that breach the provision with support through local health and outreach services. This approach is summarised in the protocol with Police (Attachment 1). The Appendix to the protocol includes a request for Police to support officers in the removal of “encampment equipment”. The Appendix does not apply to Option B. However, if Option B is progressed, this report recommends seeking a similar commitment for Option B from Police. Enforcement would not include fines. Instead, the focus is on the removal and impoundment of encampment equipment. The items would be stored and subsequently returned upon request.  Smaller personal items such as bags and paperwork will not be removed, unless they are abandoned.  The threat of removing encampment material may act as a deterrent. The proposed Local Law is limited to the removal of equipment, it does not require the removal of the individual. This may inhibit the effectiveness of this clause.	Option B has broader application compared to Option A.  This option will only enable removal of encampment equipment.
Legal  review  Human Rights Charter	A legal review of the proposed Local Law amendment has found the amendment is legally able to be added to the Local Law following required community engagement and gazetting.  From a legal perspective, while there is a basic level of confidence about the compliance of provision with the Charter the issue is not completely beyond doubt. In implementing the “no encampment clause” officers will need to comply with all State Legislation and the Human Rights Charter.	Legal review on the proposed amendment has been undertaken

Table 2. Review of Option B

Option C to not proceed with Local Law changes

4.64 Option C is to not proceed with any Local Law changes.

4.65 While there are mixed views, the outcome of Council’s engagement process is that the majority of the community do not support the Local Law amendment Option A. There has been no engagement on Option B.

4.66 While Options A and B are to be applied as a last resort after supports through local health and outreach services have failed, there is a risk that council will be criticised because the removal of encampment equipment does not address the underlying causes of rough sleeping.

4.67 While Options A and B will require the provision of notice or direction that encampment equipment must be removed. However, if the equipment is not removed, the implementation of Options A and B may require Police to restrain people so that Council officers can safely remove encampment equipment.

4.68 Council’s new Community Safety Plan (pending approval in December 2025) was developed through extensive engagement, will expand services, programs, and partnerships. This enhanced service delivery may provide early intervention that will avoid or disperse encampments without the need for a Local Law change. Not proceeding with a Local Law change at this time would allow the enhanced service delivery model to be implemented and for Council to subsequently review the impact of those additional services, programs and partnerships on encampments.

Process for Addition of Proposed Local Law   

4.69 Pursuant to the Local Government Act 2020, to change a Local Law, Council must,

· Publish a notice outlining objectives, draft law, and engagement process.

· Undertake a minimum of 4 weeks community engagement.

· Obtain a legal certificate confirming compliance with the Charter of Human Rights and other legislation.

· Table the certificate and proposed law at a Council meeting.

· Publish the final law in the Government Gazette and on the Council website.

· Restart the process if substantial wording changes occur after consultation.

5. CONSULTATION AND STAKEHOLDERS

5.1 Engagement on the proposed Local Law amendment Option A was integrated into the Community Safety Plan consultation, running from 22 May to 29 June 2025.

5.2 Questions about the amendments were included in the online Have Your Say survey and in-person sessions through Council’s Neighbourhood Engagement Program. Hard copy surveys were also available at Customer Service Centres and Libraries.  The outcome of the engagement has been detailed elsewhere in this report.

5.3 Separate to the engagement period on the proposed Local Law Amendment Option A two petitions were received regarding Local Laws.

Petition One

On 13 May 2025, Council received a petition with 1,194 signatures Petition No fines for homelessness - City of Port Phillip - Australia · Change.org which was tabled at the 21 May Meeting and stated the below:

FINES WON’T END HOMELESSNESS. SECURE HOUSING AND SOCIAL SUPPORTS WILL.

Homelessness is not a crime - but new local laws being considered by Port Phillip Council would change that. These laws would authorise Council officers to fine people for sitting, sleeping or lying on any public land.

We, the people who live and/or work in the city of Port Phillip, oppose this for these reasons:

1. Issuing fines would be an inefficient use of council staff and money;

2. The laws would target people experiencing homelessness;

3. The laws have been put forward as a way to promote community safety – issuing fines to people experiencing homelessness will not make our community safer;

4. Issuing fines to people experiencing homelessness will not address their unmet health, housing and support needs – it will add to them;

5. Issuing fines would be an act of pointless cruelty against our most vulnerable community members.

Our Council has a proud history of responding in practical and compassionate ways to people who are experiencing homelessness, especially those sleeping rough. They need secure housing and compassionate social supports, not fines and punishment. People experiencing homelessness are themselves at very high risk of being the victims of crime.

We say NO to fines for rough sleeping. We say YES to more social housing, more permanent supported housing and expanded community support services.

Please sign below and share this petition with your neighbours, colleagues and friends to let Port Phillip Council know we stand against the criminalisation of homelessness.

Some further context for those interested:

On 19 February 2025, Port Phillip Council unanimously passed a motion to investigate the process for introducing a draft local law amendment. This was presented as addressing community concerns about safety in our city. If the draft local law amendment were adopted, it would:

o Give local laws officers the power to fine people for: “sitting, sleeping or laying on” any public land in Port Phillip;

o Remove existing protection from being fined for people who are homeless and have complex needs including disability and mental illness;

o Allow local laws officers to confiscate any property and fine people for placing any item that “enables a living arrangement or sleep”.

It is common sense that people experiencing homelessness are not going to be able to pay fines, and that being fined will do nothing to address the underlying issues leading to people sleeping rough in Port Phillip and would only make their lives harder.

Our Council has a strong track record of fostering collaboration between different community support services and levels of government to work towards ending homelessness in Port Phillip. Port Phillip Zero is an important initiative that has had great success in getting people sleeping rough into secure and supportive housing and reducing homelessness in Port Phillip.

Petition Two

On 1 December 2025 Council received a petition with 2357 signatures (555 on paper and 1802 online) Petition · Sign the petition for SAFER STREETS in Port Phillip - Australia · Change.org which outlined the below

PETITION FOR SAFE STREETS - END THE CAMPING LAW EXEMPTION IN PORT PHILLIP

It's About Safety — Not Punishment.

Enough Is Enough. Support Councillor Rod Hardy’s Motion. Demand Action Now.

Port Phillip is one of only two councils in Victoria still clinging to a failed exemption in local camping laws — and we are paying the price. Businesses are suffering. Public safety is deteriorating. Vulnerable residents are at risk.

This Isn’t Compassion — It’s Chaos.

Every single day, residents and business owners in the City of Port Phillip face:

o Open drug use in broad daylight

o Verbal abuse and intimidation

o Street-level drug dealing

o Discarded needles and furniture littering our parks and footpaths

o Public spaces overtaken by dangerous, illegal encampments

This is not about punishing the homeless — it's about protecting everyone, including the most vulnerable.

This Law Change Will Help:

o Dismantle dangerous drug camps

o Stop open drug use and dealing

o Connect people to housing, rehab, and mental health services

o Clean up and reclaim public spaces

o Empower police to act — safely and compassionately

Many individuals occupying these encampments are not homeless — they come here to use and sell drugs, placing legitimate homeless and mentally unwell individuals in further danger.

What We’re Calling For:

We urge the City of Port Phillip to:

1. Pass the Camping Law Amendment in line with Community Roundtable and Victoria Police recommendations

2. Cut through the false claims about “fines for the homeless” — this is about safety, not spin

3. Give police the tools they need to act lawfully and effectively

4. Stand with residents and businesses suffering the daily consequences of inaction

The Facts:

o In February, councilors unanimously backed a review of Clause 42 (‘Camping on Council Land’).

o The amendment seeks to remove outdated exemptions and clarify enforcement.

o It is backed by Victoria Police, and community representatives.

o It will help enforce the law without criminalising genuine homelessness.

6. LEGAL AND RISK IMPLICATIONS

6.1 The Local Government Act (2020) outlines the process for reviewing a Local Law, with further detail provided in the Department of Planning and Community Development’s Guidelines for Local Laws Manual. These provisions restrict what can be included in a Local Law. For example, it must not duplicate, conflict with, or be inconsistent with existing legislation or planning schemes

6.2 As required under the Act, Council must obtain a certificate from a qualified person confirming the proposed Local Law complies with legislative requirements. External legal advice will be engaged for this purpose following community engagement.

7. FINANCIAL IMPACT

7.1 Implementation of Options A or B will require further community engagement and legal advice at an estimated cost of $60,000 budget. This cost is based on previous similar Local Law amendments.

8. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

8.1 Where possible, the Local Law engagement will minimise the use of paper products. 

9. COMMUNITY IMPACT

9.1 Community safety is a significant concern, reflected in submissions and information received by Councillors and Council officers directly. Engagement on community safety—and any Local Law amendments—ensures all community members can provide feedback.

10. Gender Impact Assessment

10.1 Research shows that women and gender diverse people can experience safety and perceptions of safety differently. A gender impact assessment will be undertaken prior to community engagement if a Local Law amendment progresses.

11. ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL PLAN AND COUNCIL POLICY

11.1 The Local Law supports the delivery of A safe and liveable City and An engaged and empowered community strategic directions. 

12. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

12.1 TIMELINE

12.1.1 If at the meeting on 10 December, Council decides to commence the statutory engagement process prescribed by the Local Government Act to change a Local Law, the following timeline could take place:

Feb – March 2026 – Statutory process commences with a minimum of four weeks of community engagement (outside school holidays) with notice.

March – May 2026 – Analysis of community engagement, obtaining of a legal certificate and preparation of Council papers.

June – July 2026 – Council briefing and then public meeting with findings, legal certificate and meeting to decide whether to endorse amendment to Local Law.

August 2026 - Published Local Law gazetted and comes into effect if endorsed.

12.2 COMMUNICATION

12.2.1 Community safety remains a key concern, with feedback already received from the community. Further engagement on community safety—and any Local Law amendments—will ensure all community members can provide input.

13. OFFICER MATERIAL OR GENERAL INTEREST

13.1 No officers involved in the preparation of this report has declared a material or general interest in the matter.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Signed Operational Protocol with Police November 2025⇩

2. Option A Proposed Local Law Amendment - December 2025⇩

3. Option B Proposed Local Law Amendment - December 2025⇩

4. CoPP Community Safety Roundtable Final Report May 2025⇩

Meeting of the Port Phillip City Council

10 December 2025

11.1

South Melbourne Special Rate and Charge – 2026-2031 Intention To Declare

Executive Member:

Brian Tee, General Manager, City Development

PREPARED BY:

Susie Filleti, Business Engagement Coordinator

Mike Fisher, Manager City Planning and Sustainability

1. PURPOSE

1.1 To commence the statutory process to introduce the South Melbourne Special Rate and Charge, for the 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031 period, for the purpose of marketing, tourism, promotion, business development and centre management of the South Melbourne Business Precinct.

2. EXECUTIVE Summary

2.1 The City of Port Phillip currently has four special rate and charge schemes in operation.

2.2 All Port Phillip special rate and charge schemes incorporate the collection of a levy from commercial properties within a defined geographic area for marketing, promotion, business development and centre management of the specified Activity Centre. All funds are distributed to the incorporated Business Association under a funding agreement with Council.

2.3 Special rate and charge declarations are a statutory process governed by Part 8 of the Local Government Act 1989.

2.4 On 30 September 2025, Council received a letter from Clarendon and Coventry Streets Business Association (CCSBA) requesting that Council begin the statutory process to introduce the South Melbourne Special Rate and Charge for five years, from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031 (Attachment 1).

2.5 In August and September 2025, CCSBA contacted all open businesses in the precinct (226 businesses) and undertook a poll to gauge support for the Special Rate. CCSBA received signed support from 129 out of the 226 properties currently occupied, open and available for comment for the Special Rate, which represented 57 percent.

2.6 The special rate and charge would levy a maximum amount of $1,518,612.36 over the five-year period which equates to up to $280,000 in the 2026–2027 financial year.

3. RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

3.1 Notes the letter received the Clarendon and Coventry Streets Business Association (CCSBA) requesting the implementation of the special rate and charge scheme (Scheme) for the South Melbourne Business Precinct (Precinct) (Attachment 1).

3.2 Having otherwise considered all relevant matters, commences the statutory process under the Local Government Act 1989 (Act) to implement the Scheme to and for the properties within the Precinct. The Scheme will -

(a) Be used for the purposes of defraying expenses for advertising, marketing, business development and centre management, associated with the encouragement of commerce, retail and professional activity and employment in the Precinct;

(b) provide collected funds to CCSBA, to be used solely for the purposes outlined above, subject to the approval, direction, and control of Council;

(d) be indexed for each subsequent year of the Scheme using the Consumer Price Index (All Groups, Melbourne Index Number) rate provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics for the 12-month period as at the March quarter (CPI), with a minimum increase of two percent and a maximum increase of four percent;

(e) operate for a five-year period, commencing 1 July 2026 and concluding 30 June 2031; and

(f) have a total maximum funding cap of $1,518,612.36 for the five-year period of the Scheme.

3.3 In accordance with the Act, publish a Public Notice (Attachment 3) in The Age and on Council’s website, advising of Council’s intention to declare a special rate and charge. The notice will outline the objection process and provide a minimum of 28 days for any person liable for the special rate and charge to lodge an objection.

3.4 In accordance with the Act, send individual letters to all affected property owners and occupiers within the proposed South Melbourne Business Precinct boundary (Attachment 4), advising of the intention to declare the special rate and charge, the commencement of the statutory process including a copy of the Public Notice and an estimation of the special rate or special charge payable, based on FY2025-26 Net Annual Value (NAV) valuations that would be applied to the property.

3.5 Considers the proposed Scheme at two further Council Meetings in 2026:

(g) Following the objection period outlined in the Public Notice, review all written objections and submissions; and

(h) decide to declare the Scheme for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031.

3.6 Advises the CCSBA of the matters specified in this resolution.

3.7 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer or his delegate to –

(i) Make any minor amendments to the Public Notice that do not change the material intent of the that Public Notice to ensure legislative compliance;

(j) carry out any and all other administrative procedures necessary to enable Council to carry out its functions under section 163A and section 163(1A), (1B) and (1C) and sections 163B and 223 of the Act.

4. KEY POINTS/ISSUES

Background

4.1 The City of Port Phillip currently has four special rate and charge schemes in operation – Fitzroy Street, Port Melbourne, Acland Street Village and Carlisle Street. The schemes incorporate the collection of a levy from commercial properties within a defined geographic area for the sole purpose of marketing, promotion, business development and centre management of the specified activity centre. All funds collected are distributed to the incorporated business association under a funding agreement with Council.

4.2 Special rate and charge scheme declarations are a statutory process governed by Part 8 of the Local Government Act 1989. Despite the enactment of the Local Government Act 2020, the special rate and charge provisions of the 1989 legislation are still in force. In declaring a special rate and charge scheme, Council must be satisfied that:

4.2.1 the proposal relates to the performance of a function authorised under Section 163 of the Act;

4.2.2 there will be a special benefit to those persons liable to pay the special rate or special charge; and

4.2.3 there is a reasonable distribution of the rate amongst those persons liable to pay the special rate or special charge.

4.3 Council’s Rates team collects the special rate and charge through the normal rating process, whilst compliance and reporting are managed by Economic Development. All funds collected are distributed to the relevant incorporated Business Association under a funding agreement with Council.

4.4 To implement a special rate and charge, Council will follow the below process:

4.4.1 Council decides to commence the statutory process and issue notices of intent to impacted rate payers;

4.4.2 Council considers objections and submissions regarding the proposed special rate and charge; and

4.4.3 Council determines whether to declare the special rate and charge.

4.5 On 30 September 2025, Council received a letter from CCSBA requesting that Council begin the statutory process to introduce the South Melbourne Special Rate and Charge Scheme (Scheme) for five years, from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031 (Attachment 1).

4.6 The proposed Scheme has 318 properties within the South Melbourne Business Precinct boundary (Attachment 4). The Scheme will levy a maximum amount of $1,518,612.36 over the five-year period. This equates to up to $280,000 in the 2026–2027 financial year and indexed for each subsequent year of the Scheme using CPI, with a minimum increase of two percent and a maximum increase of four percent.

4.7 In August and September 2025, CCSBA contacted all open businesses in the precinct (226 businesses) and undertook a business poll to gauge support for introducing the Scheme. CCSBA received signed support from 129 out of the 226 properties currently occupied, open and available for comment for the Scheme, which represented 57 percent.

4.8 If redevelopments occur within the proposed Scheme boundary any new eligible properties that have not previously been levied will be added to the Scheme. Any property that changes from commercial, retail, leisure, tourism or light industrial to residential use will be removed from the Scheme. Amendments to the Scheme will occur from the date the supplementary valuation takes effect.

4.9 Properties exempt from paying the special rate and charge include:

· Dedicated car parking lots;

· Automatic Teller Machines;

· advertising signs;

· telecommunication towers and power substations;

· all residential properties; and

· non rateable properties.

4.10 To distribute the special rate and charge across the commercial properties within the South Melbourne Business Precinct boundary the current three benefit areas will remain – primary, secondary and tertiary. Details of the benefit areas and Scheme boundary are specified in the Proposed Declaration of a Special Rate and Charge (Attachment 2).

4.11 Properties that are used, or reasonably capable of being used, for retail, commercial, leisure, tourism, entertainment, light industrial or professional purposes that fall into the below address ranges are included proposed Scheme boundary:

· 1 and 2 Alfred Place;

· 165 – 236 Bank Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 117 – 181 Cecil Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 2 – 10 Charles Street (even inclusive);

· 206 – 380 Clarendon Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 238 –321 Coventry Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 228 – 254 Dorcas Street (even inclusive);

· 69 Emerald Hill Place;

· 1 – 5 Francis Street (odd inclusive);

· 1 – 16 Hotham Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 1 – 5 John Street (odd inclusive);

· 1 – 4 Layfield Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 8 Palmer Street;

· 225 – 294 Park Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 4 – 23 Union Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 1 – 7 Wynward Street (odd and even inclusive); and

· In the opinion of Council receive a special benefit from the Special Rate and Charge.

4.12 The rates in the dollar applicable to each benefit area for the purposes of assessing and levying the special rate and charge will be determined having regard to the Net Annual Value (NAV) of all properties within each benefit area. This is determined at the beginning of each financial year to raise a total of up to $280,000 for 2026-2027 financial year and an indexed total for each subsequent year of the Scheme using CPI, with a minimum increase of two percent and a maximum increase of four percent.

4.13 The FY2026-2027 NAV valuations are not yet available at the time of this report. An indicative calculation below shows rates in the dollar based on the 2025-2026 NAV valuations that would have been applied to collect the special rates and charges and total up to $280,000 for 2026-2027 financial year:

· Primary benefit rate – 0.0138

· Secondary benefit rate – 0.0069

· Tertiary benefit rate – 0.0035

4.14 The actual special rates to be applied in 2026-2027, and in each subsequent year of the Special Rate Period, will be determined having regard to reassessed NAV figures prepared annually by Valuer-General Victoria.

4.15 In addition to the rate in the dollar being adjusted each financial year, maximum and minimum special charges will also apply. For the 2026-27 rating year, the following maximum and minimum special charges will apply:

· Primary benefit rate – maximum charge of $400 and a minimum charge of $6,000 per year.

· Secondary benefit rate – maximum $200 and a minimum charge of $3,000 per year.

· Tertiary benefit rate – maximum charge of $100 and a minimum charge of $1,500 per year.

4.16 The maximum and minimum special charges will be adjusted at the beginning of each financial year during the operation of the Scheme, having regard to:

· any change to the special rate in each of the benefit areas (which, as above, will determined having regard to the movement of NAV to ensure that $280,000 will be collected for the 2026–2027 financial year and indexed annually using CPI, with a maximum increase of four percent and a minimum of two percent for each subsequent year of the Special Rate scheme);

· the inclusion or removal of any properties from the Scheme; and

· any change in the number of properties that will pay a special charge (as opposed to a special rate), having regard to the changed special rates in each benefit area, as above.

4.17 An estimate based on FY2025–26 NAV valuations indicates that the median levy for individual ratepayers affected by the proposed special rate and charge is $682 per year, while the average levy is $881 per year.

4.18 Council will provide CCSBA with the collected levy every six months, on receipt of an accepted Activity Report and valid tax invoice. Prior to CCSBA issuing a valid tax invoice, Council will confirm the total levy collected for the six-month period, which will be no more than $140,000 for 2026-2027 financial year and indexed for each subsequent year of the Scheme using CPI, with a minimum increase of two percent and a maximum increase of four percent to include on the tax invoice. Should the collected levy be less than the expected levy, Council will not supplement payments to cover the balance; Council will only issue funds received.

4.19 CCSBA has developed its Business Plan for the proposed 2026 – 2031 Special Rate and Charge as well as a Budget and Action Plan for FY2026/2027 (Attachment 5). The Business Plan and Budget and Action Plan will form part of the new funding agreement with Council.

4.20 Funds raised by the Scheme will be for the sole purpose of marketing, promotion, business development and centre management of the Precinct. It is considered that the value of the properties included in the Scheme area, their desirability as a letting proposition and their general amenity could be enhanced by the activities generated from the Scheme funds.

4.21 Any submissions and objections in relation to the Scheme will be presented to Council for consideration at a Council Meeting in 2026.

4.22 Section 163B(6) of the Act states that Council cannot make a declaration of a special rate and charge if it receives objections from a majority of the rateable properties in respect of which the special rate and charge would be imposed (that being greater than 50 percent).

4.23 Council must consider all submissions and objections received in relation to the Scheme in accordance with the Act prior to making a decision regarding the declaration of the proposed Scheme.

Key Information

4.24 CCSBA was established as an incorporated association in December 2021. This Scheme will be the first to be implemented since the Association’s incorporation.

4.25 CCSBA is successfully engaged with its traders and local community. Recent initiatives and achievements include:

· Founded and delivered the South Melbourne Porsche and Coffee Festival, now in its third year, with growing participation and attendance each year.

· Successfully planned, managed, and delivered the restoration of Clarendon Street’s heritage verandahs, supported by a $250,000 Victorian Government grant secured to fund the project.

· Delivered lighting enhancements along Clarendon Street with Council support, significantly improving evening visibility and ambience. Enhancements included architectural uplighting on building facades and fairy lights installed on heritage verandahs.

· Developed the Experience South Melbourne brand, supported by a dedicated website and social media channels to promote events, activations and businesses within the precinct.

5. CONSULTATION AND STAKEHOLDERS

5.1 Council has worked closely with CCSBA throughout the pre-intention to declare stage of this proposed Scheme.

5.2 Council is bound by the statutory process and cannot promote the benefits or achievements of the Scheme to those affected by it. CCSBA is responsible for securing support for the Scheme and communicating its benefits to the property and business owners.

5.3 Council, through the Economic Development team, will communicate the statutory process to those affected property and business owners through the stages dictated by the Act.

6. LEGAL AND RISK IMPLICATIONS

6.1 The risks associated with the proposal are limited by the following:

6.1.1 If the Scheme is declared CCSBA will enter into a formal funding agreement with Council for the duration of the Scheme which outlines the specific purposes for which the funds can be spent.

6.1.2 Under the terms of the proposed funding agreement, CCSBA:

6.1.2.1 will be required to submit an Activity Report that includes financial reporting documentation every six months (profit and loss, balance sheet, general ledger, and marketing activity report). Scheme monies will not be paid to the Association until all reporting is received and approved.

6.1.2.2 must be an incorporated entity through the life of Scheme and must act in accordance with the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012.

6.1.2.3 will be required to adopt their five-year Business Plan to guide expenditure of the funds.

6.1.3 CCSBA will expend the monies raised by the Scheme on behalf of Council as an administrator of the funds. At all times CCSBA will be bound by the funding agreement with Council and under the direction of Council. Council retains exclusive authority to determine how the funds from the Scheme will be allocated. Section 164 of the Act enables Council to discontinue the Scheme if there is any inappropriate expenditure.

6.1.4 If Council does not wish to support the South Melbourne Special Rate and Charge, there may be an expectation from the commercial precinct that Council will fund marketing and promotion activities for the precinct.

7. FINANCIAL IMPACT

7.1 Council incurs administrative costs for the implementation of the Scheme. These have been included in the FY2025/2026 budget.

7.2 Council administers the collection of the funds for the life of the Scheme and distributes the Scheme funds to CCSBA in two half-yearly instalments after they submit an Activity Report.

8. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

8.1 A financially sustainable business association allows Council to work with businesses in the Precinct on leading practice sustainable best practice programs that will reduce emissions, waste and energy usage amongst other outcomes.

8.2 Vibrant local activity centres provide residents with the opportunity to shop locally and sustainably by walking, cycling or taking public transport to access their centre rather than driving elsewhere.

9. COMMUNITY IMPACT

9.1 Vibrant activity centres are critical to the health and development of the local community. Centres provide employment, community meeting places, resources, leisure opportunities and essential services to the community.

10. ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL PLAN AND COUNCIL POLICY

10.1 Special rate and charge schemes align with:

10.1.1 A healthy and connected community - Our Council fosters collaboration and mutual support within the community:

· Business and retail precincts play a vital role in supporting community wellbeing by offering diverse services. These precincts act as hubs of connection, where people gather, interact, and feel a sense of belonging. Through collaboration with Business Associations, Council helps ensure these precincts remain inclusive, accessible, and responsive to community needs.

10.1.2 An environmentally sustainable and resilient City - Our Council engages the community in enhancing environmental outcomes:

· Council can collaborate with Business Associations to promote and support environmentally sustainable practices across precincts.

10.1.3 A safe and liveable City - Our City values the distinct character and identity of local neighbourhoods:

· Successful business precincts underpin the liveability of a high-density city such as Port Phillip and are pivotal in creating a city of diverse and distinctive neighbourhoods and public spaces.

10.1.4 A vibrant and thriving community - Our City has a strong, resilient economy:

· Special rate funds empower the business community to actively and creatively market, promote and develop their precinct to maintain vibrancy and economic viability and to provide the community with a well-resourced business precinct that provides excellent services, gathering places and employment.

10.1.5 An engaged and empowered community - Our residents and businesses are well informed:

· Business Associations serve as a vital conduit between Council and the business community, helping to identify precinct needs and communicate priorities effectively.

10.1.6 A trusted and high-performing organisation - Port Phillip Council is financially sustainable, cost effective, and efficient: 

· Special Rate funds enable cost-sharing models for marketing, events and activations of business precincts, improving financial efficiency.

11. IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

11.1 TIMELINE

If Council resolves to commence the statutory process:

· From 15 December, Council gives rate payers notice by the nominated postal address and the street address in the designated Scheme area regarding:

o the proposed implementation of the Scheme;

o the statutory process; and

o their estimated levy amounts.

· Public notice published in The Age on 15 December 2025 and displayed on the City of Port Phillip website.

· The Local Government Act 1989 states that proposed declaration must be available for public inspection, consideration and submissions for at least 28 days after the publication of the notice, and that any objections must be received within 28 days of the public notice. To accommodate the holiday season, it is recommended that the objection and submission period conclude at 5pm on 30 January 2026, providing additional time for feedback during this time of year.

· Council officers review and collate submissions and objections once the objection period has concluded at 5pm on 30 January 2026.

· Council considers submissions and objections at a Council Meeting in 2026.

· Council considers whether to declare (or not) the Scheme for 2026-2031 at a Council Meeting on the 15 April 2026 or nearest date closest to that date, following the confirmation of the 2026 Council Meeting schedule.

· Council gives rate payers notice by the nominated postal address and the street address in the designated Scheme area of the decision regarding the Scheme following the decision at the April 2026 Council Meeting.

· If Council resolves to declare the proposed Scheme:

o A person on whom a special rate or special charge is imposed then has 30 days from the date of issue of the Notice of the Special Rate and Charge to apply to VCAT for a review of a decision of Council to impose a special rate or special charge on that person, on limited grounds under section 185 of the Act.

o Section 185AA of the Act provides a separate right to apply to VCAT for a declaration as to the validity of Council’s decision. An application for a declaration can be made at any time.

o If an application is lodged at VCAT, Council would consider whether to:

§ proceed with the implementation of any special rate and charge scheme; and

§ provide any monies raised to CCSBA;

until the application has been heard and there is a VCAT decision on the matter.

o Council will advise the CCSBA of its decision.

o If no application is made to VCAT, Council will commence the Scheme on 1 July 2026.

o Affected rate payers will receive their levy notification to make payment via their Council rates notice in September 2026.

· If Council resolves not to declare the proposed Scheme at its Council Meeting in April 2026, Council will advise the CCSBA and all affected rate payers in writing of this decision and the proposed Scheme will not proceed.

11.2 COMMUNICATION

11.2.1 Intention to Declare process:

· Council gives rate payers notice by the nominated postal address and the street address in the designated Scheme area of the proposed Scheme, the statutory process and their estimated levy amounts from 15 December 2025.

· A Public notice is published in The Age 15 December 2025 and displayed on the City of Port Phillip website.

11.2.2 Declaration:

· Council gives rate payers notice by the nominated postal address and the street address in the designated Scheme area of the decision regarding the declaration of the proposed Scheme following the decision at the April 2026 Council Meeting.

· If Council resolves to declare the proposed Scheme at a Council Meeting in April 2026, affected rate payers will receive their levy notification to make payment via their Council rates notice in September 2026.

12. OFFICER material or general INTEREST

12.1 No officers involved in the preparation of this report have any material or general interest in the matter.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Clarendon and Coventry Streets Business Association Letter⇩

2. South Melbourne Special Rate and Charge Proposed Declaration⇩

3. South Melbourne Special Rate and Charge Public Notice⇩

4. Proposed South Melbourne Business Precinct Boundary⇩

5. Clarendon and Coventry Streets Business Association Five-Year Business Plan and FY26-27 Budget and Action Plan⇩

Meeting of the Port Phillip City Council

10 December 2025

11.2

Port Melbourne Special Rate and Charge – 2026-2031 Intention To Declare

Executive Member:

Brian Tee, General Manager, City Development

PREPARED BY:

Susie Filleti, Business Engagement Coordinator

Mike Fisher, Manager City Planning and Sustainability

1. PURPOSE

1.1 To commence the statutory process to implement the Port Melbourne Special Rate and Charge, for the 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031 period. The Special Rate and Charge is for marketing, tourism, promotion, business development and centre management of the Port Melbourne Business Precinct.

2. EXECUTIVE Summary

2.1 The City of Port Phillip currently has four special rate and charge schemes in operation – Fitzroy Street, Port Melbourne, Acland Street Village and Carlisle Street.

2.2 The Port Phillip special rate and charge schemes incorporate the collection of a levy from commercial properties within a defined geographic area for marketing, promotion, business development and centre management of the specified Activity Centre. Funds are distributed to the incorporated Business Association under a funding agreement with Council.

2.3 Special rate and charge declarations are a statutory process governed by Part 8 of the Local Government Act 1989.

2.4 On 30 September 2025, Council received a letter from Port Melbourne Business Association (PMBA) requesting that Council begin the statutory process to implement the Port Melbourne Special Rate and Charge for five years, from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031 (Attachment 1).

2.5 In October and November 2025, PMBA contacted all open businesses in the Precinct (266 businesses) to gauge support for the Special Rate. PMBA received support from 182 out of the 266 properties which represented 68 percent.

2.6 The special rate and charge would levy a maximum amount of $1,600,000 over the five years, which equates to up to $320,000 in the 2026–2027 financial year.

3. RECOMMENDATION

That Council:

3.1 Notes the letter received the Port Melbourne Business Association (PMBA) requesting the implementation of the special rate and charge scheme (Scheme) for the Port Melbourne Business Precinct (Precinct) (Attachment 1).

3.2 Having otherwise considered all relevant matters, commences the statutory process under the Local Government Act 1989 (Act) to implement the Scheme to, and for the properties within the Precinct. The Scheme will –

(b) provide collected funds to PMBA, to be used solely for the purposes outlined above, subject to the approval, direction, and control of Council;

(d) operate for a period of five years, commencing on 1 July 2026 and ending on 30 June 2031.

3.4 In accordance with the Act, send individual letters to all affected property owners and occupiers within the proposed Port Melbourne Business Precinct boundary (Attachment 4), advising of the intention to declare the special rate and charge, the commencement of the statutory process including a copy of the Public Notice and an estimation of the special rate or special charge payable, based on FY2025-26 Net Annual Value (NAV) valuations that would be applied to the property.

3.5 Considers the proposed Scheme at two further Council Meetings in 2026:

(e) Following the objection period outlined in the Public Notice, review all written objections and submissions; and

(f) decide to declare the Scheme for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031.

3.6 Advises the PMBA of the matters specified in this resolution.

3.7 Authorises the Chief Executive Officer or his delegate to –

(g) Make any minor amendments to the Public Notice (Attachment 3) that do not change the material intent of the that Public Notice to ensure legislative compliance.

(h) carry out all other administrative procedures necessary to enable Council to carry out its functions under section 163A and section 163(1A), (1B) and (1C) and sections 163B and 223 of the Act

4. KEY POINTS/ISSUES

4.1 The City of Port Phillip currently has four special rate and charge schemes in operation – Fitzroy Street, Port Melbourne, Acland Street Village and Carlisle Street. All Port Phillip special rate and charge schemes incorporate the collection of a levy from commercial properties within a defined geographic area for marketing, promotion, business development and centre management of the specified activity centre. All funds collected are distributed to the incorporated business association under a funding agreement with Council.

4.2.1 the proposal relates to the performance of a function authorised under Section 163 of the Act;

4.2.2 there will be a special benefit to those persons liable to pay the special rate or special charge; and

4.2.3 there is a reasonable distribution of the rate amongst those persons liable to pay the special rate or special charge.

4.3 Council’s Rates team collects the special rate and charge through the normal rating process, whilst compliance and reporting are managed by the Economic Development team. All funds collected are distributed to the relevant incorporated Business Association under a funding agreement with Council.

4.4 To implement a special rate and charge, Council will follow the below process:

4.4.1 Council decides whether to commence the statutory process and issue notices of intent to impacted rate payers;

4.4.2 Council considers objections and submissions regarding the proposed special rate and charge; and

4.4.3 Council determines whether to declare the special rate and charge.

4.5 On 30 September 2025, Council received a letter from Port Melbourne Business Association (PMBA) requesting that Council begin the statutory process to implement the Port Melbourne Special Rate and Charge Scheme (Scheme) for five years, from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031 (Attachment 1).

4.6 The proposed Scheme has 377 properties within the Port Melbourne Business Precinct boundary (Attachment 4). The Scheme will levy a maximum amount of $1,600,000 over the five years which equates to up to $320,000 per annum.

4.7 In October and November 2025, PMBA contacted all open businesses in the Precinct (266 businesses) and undertook a business poll to gauge support for the Scheme. The PMBA received signed support from 182 out of the 266 properties currently occupied, open and available for comment for the Scheme, which represented 68 percent.

4.8 If redevelopments occur within the proposed Scheme boundary, any new eligible properties that have not previously been levied will be added to the Scheme. Any property that changes from commercial, retail, leisure, tourism or light industrial to residential use will be removed from the Scheme. Amendments to the Scheme will occur from the date the supplementary valuation takes effect.

4.9 Properties exempt from paying the special rate and charge include:

· Dedicated car parking lots;

· telecommunication towers and power substations;

· all residential properties; and

· non rateable properties.

4.10 To distribute the special rate and charge across the commercial properties within the Port Melbourne Business Precinct boundary the current two benefit areas will remain – primary and secondary. Details of the benefit areas and Scheme boundary are specified in the Proposed Declaration of a Special Rate and Charge (Attachment 2).

· 1-476 Bay Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 1-105 Beach Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 28-40 Beaconsfield Parade (inclusive);

· 92-141 Bridge Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 1-86 Crockford Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 69 Cruickshank Street;

· 146 Evans Street;

· 97 and 214-252 Graham Street (inclusive);

· 5 Ingles Street;

· 21 Johnston Street;

· 21 and 8-30 Lalor Street (inclusive);

· 141-147 Liardet Street (inclusive);

· 1-174 Nott Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 2-4 Princes Street (inclusive);

· 2–4 and 33-107 Raglan Street (inclusive);

· 46-224 Rouse Street (odd and even inclusive);

· 100 Spring Street North;

· 192 Station Street;

· 18-42 Stokes Street (inclusive); and

· 1-13 Waterfront Place (inclusive); and

· In the opinion of Council receive a special benefit from the Special Rate and Charge.

4.12 The rates in the dollar applicable to each benefit area, for the purposes of assessing and levying the special rate and charge, will be determined having regard to the Net Annual Value (NAV) of all properties within each benefit area. This is determined at the beginning of each financial year to raise a total of up to $320,000 per annum.

· Primary benefit rate – 0.00858

· Secondary benefit rate – 0.00429

· Primary benefit rate – maximum charge of $20,664 and a minimum charge of $708 per year.

· Secondary benefit rate – maximum $10,332 and a minimum charge of $449 per year.

4.16 The maximum and minimum special charges will be adjusted at the beginning of each financial year during the operation of the Scheme, having regard to:

· any change to the special rate in each of the benefit areas (which, as above, will be determined having regard to the movement of NAV to ensure that $320,000 will be collected in that year);

· the inclusion or removal of any properties from the Scheme; and

· any change in the number of properties that will pay a special charge (as opposed to a special rate), having regard to the changed special rates in each benefit area, as above.

4.17 An estimate based on FY2025–26 NAV valuations indicates that the median levy for individual ratepayers affected by the proposed special rate and charge is $685 per year, while the average levy is $839 per year.

4.18 Council will provide PMBA with the collected levy every six months, on receipt of an accepted Activity Report and valid tax invoice. Prior to PMBA issuing a valid tax invoice, Council will confirm the total levy collected for the six-month period, which will be no more than $160,000 to include on the tax invoice. Should the collected levy be less than the expected levy, Council will not supplement payments to cover the balance; Council will only issue funds received.

4.19 PMBA has developed its Business Plan for the proposed 2026 – 2031 Special Rate and Charge as well as a Budget and Action Plan for FY2026/2027 (Attachment 5). The Business Plan and Budget and Action Plan will form part of the new funding agreement with Council.

4.21 Any submissions and objections in relation to the Scheme will be presented to Council for consideration at a Council Meeting in 2026.

4.23 Council must consider all submissions and objections received in relation to the Scheme in accordance with the Act prior to making a decision regarding the declaration of the proposed Scheme.

Key Information

4.24 The Port Melbourne Special Rate and Charge scheme was first declared in 2001 and was renewed in 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021.

4.25 PMBA is successfully engaged with its traders and local community. Recent initiatives and achievements include:

· Developed and implemented a 12-month calendar of events and campaigns to attract visitation to the Port Melbourne Business Precinct.

· Successfully introduced and delivered the inaugural Port Melbourne Music Crawl in 2024, a free all-day music festival held over the King’s Birthday weekend and built on its success in 2025.

· Continued to deliver the annual Howl-o-ween event, featuring the popular dog parade.

· In partnership with the State Government and the City of Port Phillip, commissioned public art installations celebrating First Peoples and Port Melbourne’s migration story.

5. CONSULTATION AND STAKEHOLDERS

5.1 Council has worked closely with PMBA throughout the pre-intention to declare stage of this proposed Scheme.

5.2 Council is bound by the statutory process and cannot promote the benefits or achievements of the Scheme to those affected by it. PMBA is responsible for securing support for the Scheme and communicating its benefits to the property and business owners.

5.3 Council, through the Economic Development team, will communicate the statutory process to those affected property and business owners through the stages dictated by the Act.

6. LEGAL AND RISK IMPLICATIONS

6.1 The risks associated with the proposal are limited by the following:

6.1.1 If the Scheme is declared PMBA will enter into a formal funding agreement with Council for the duration of the Scheme which outlines the specific purposes for which the funds can be spent.

6.1.2 Under the terms of the proposed funding agreement, PMBA:

6.1.2.2 must be an incorporated entity through the life of Scheme and must act in accordance with the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012.

6.1.2.3 will be required to adopt their five-year Business Plan to guide expenditure of the funds.

6.1.3 PMBA will expend the monies raised by the Scheme on behalf of Council as an administrator of the funds. At all times PMBA will be bound by the funding agreement with Council and under the direction of Council. Council retains exclusive authority to determine how the funds from the Scheme will be allocated. Section 164 of the Act enables Council to discontinue the Scheme if there is any inappropriate expenditure.

6.1.4 If Council does not wish to support the Port Melbourne Special Rate and Charge, there may be an expectation from the commercial precinct that Council will fund marketing and promotion activities for the precinct.

7. FINANCIAL IMPACT

7.1 Council incurs administrative costs for the implementation of the Scheme. These have been included in the FY2025/2026 budget.

7.2 Council administers the collection of the funds for the life of the Scheme and distributes the Scheme funds to PMBA in two half-yearly instalments after they submit an Activity Report.

8. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

8.1 A financially sustainable business association allows Council to work with businesses in the Precinct on leading practice sustainability programs that will reduce emissions, waste and energy usage amongst other outcomes.