Brimbank City Council

As NAIDOC week comes to a close, we wish to thank our staff and wider community for coming together to celebrate the history, achievements and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our teams always look forward to this week and hope you enjoyed the various events and activities put on across Brimbank. From our libraries, leisure centres, neighbourhood houses and more. Enjoy the last day of NAIDOC! 🖤❤️💛

This week, several of our Councillors and Executive Leadership Team travelled to Canberra for the National General Assembly of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). Alongside attending professional development workshops and special guest presentations, the Assembly provided a valuable platform for us to submit motions for ALGA’s advocacy to the Australian Government. We're pleased both of our motions were endorsed. As a result, ALGA will now advocate for the Australian Government to: ✳️ Increase funding for major highways. ✳️ Alleviate unemployment by raising the JobSeeker and Youth Allowance and establishing an Economic Inclusion Fund to create local jobs for local people. While in Canberra, we also met with several Federal Parliamentarians from both major parties, including Dr. Daniel Mulino MP, Senator Sarah Henderson, Senator James Paterson and Minister Catherine King. The Mayor and Councillors discussed our major advocacy priorities with the MPs, including our calls for government to fix the Calder Freeway and progress with constructing the Melbourne Airport Rail link.

During the planning and design phase of the then St Albans Leisure Centre, we envisioned a facility that would redefine what a leisure centre could be. Our goal was to create a space that met the needs of our community and could grow alongside it in the future. Now known as the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre (BAWC), it is approaching its two-year anniversary with over 10,000 members and numerous awards to its name. The latest recognition includes being nominated in 11 categories for the Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) Industry Gala Awards, where we proudly walked away with the 'Facility Management of the Year Award (Large)' and 'Health Club Award'. This achievement is a testament to community-driven vision and the tremendous hard work of our dedicated staff and partners. Congratulations to everyone involved! 📷: Our leisure centres team celebrating their win.

After multiple setbacks, the Federal Government appointed mediator for the Melbourne Airport Rail (MAR) project has cleared the pathway forward, providing much-needed direction and momentum to get the project back on track. “The mediator has provided a clear way forward and it is time now for all the parties involved to put their differences aside, work together and get the Melbourne Airport Rail project built," said Mayor Cr Rasic. The MAR will also pave the way for the development of the Sunshine Precinct, the rebuild of Albion Station, and the development of Albion Quarter. The State Government has designated this area as a Metropolitan Activity Centre, a National Employment and Innovation Centre, a Priority Precinct, and a Transport Super Hub. Read the media release: https://lnkd.in/gqdS4smC 📷: An artist's impression of Sunshine's Super Hub.

At this month's Council Meeting, we proudly adopted our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for 2024-2026. This is our third RAP and further underscores our commitment to fostering reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the wider Australian community. Developed in consultation with Brimbank’s Traditional Custodians, the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, the Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee (BATSICC), local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, our staff, and the wider Brimbank community, the plan details our priorities and desired outcomes under Reconciliation Australia's RAP Framework. 📽️ Check out this clip of BATSICC Co-chair, Uncle Shane discuss how a willingness to learn and openness to transfer knowledge can drive growth, reconciliation and a brighter future for Brimbank as shared during a staff Reconciliation Week event. Read about the adoption of our Innovate RAP at https://bit.ly/4eTMyIT.

We are pleased to announce the adoption of the Sunshine Energy Park Vision Plan, a guide and road map of the future planning, design, and development of Sunshine Energy Park. The Vision Plan outlines how the 74 hectare site will be transformed into the 'Central Park' for Brimbank and Melbourne’s west, creating a vibrant community hub for all to enjoy. Key highlights: ✳️ A comprehensive framework to guide long-term development. ✳️ A bold vision that lays the groundwork for feasibility studies and business cases. ✳️ Strategic efforts to secure funding for various aspects of the plan. “This is an exciting opportunity to transform Sunshine Energy Park (SEP) into a future landmark of the west and create a major recreational and community hub," said Mayor Cr Rasic. "Together with community and stakeholder feedback, we’ve been able to present a plan for the future vision of the site, and the potential to create something special for the Brimbank community, long into the future.” View the Vision Plan at https://lnkd.in/ghvAu7R5

It's Refugee Week, and we are proudly supporting the 'Back Your Neighbour' campaign. Run by the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum, this campaign aims to coordinate statewide advocacy by Australian Local Government Councils. The Taskforce also shares resources and practical responses to the challenges faced by people seeking asylum due to negative policies. Refugee Week 2024, from 16-22 June, embraces the theme "FINDING FREEDOM: FAMILY." This week allows people from diverse backgrounds to connect beyond labels and encourages understanding of the reasons behind displacement and the hurdles faced in seeking safety. Join us in making a difference by signing the Back Your Neighbour petition at https://lnkd.in/gJ9PBZnt. #BackYourNeighbour

Read the latest edition of Brimbank News Monthly: https://bit.ly/45fWNT3 📂 Community Grants Program open for applications 🏆 Celebrating our WABA winners 🎤 Have your say on upcoming works 📅 Upcoming events ➕ more. Get this directly to your inbox each month by subscribing at https://bit.ly/3lis3ys

Our Community Grants Program is now taking applications! ✨ If you are a not-for-profit organisation or incorporated community group, you can apply for one-off financial assistance to assist with the delivery of your community project or activity. The program has seven categories which you can apply for: ✳️ Community Strengthening Grants – up to $10,000 ✳️ Climate Emergency Grants – up to $10,000 ✳️ Mental Health and Wellbeing Grants – up to $10,000 ✳️ Young People’s Ideas Grants – up to $10,000 ✳️ Community Festival and Event Grants – up to $10,000 ✳️ Major Festival and Event Grants – up to $25,000 ✳️ Seniors Operational Grants – up to $1,000 For information on how to apply and eligibility, visit 🖥️ brimbank.vic.gov.au/grants or ☎️ call the Grants Hotline on 03 9249 4036. Applications close on Sunday 14 July 2024.

Green Gully Traffic School seeks New Management. Council is undertaking this Expression of Interest process to identify the most suitable future tenant for the Green Gully Traffic School located at 7 Clubhouse Place, Green Gully Reserve in Keilor Downs. This Facility has been used for the purposes of leisure activity, riding and traffic education. You can access the EOI here: https://lnkd.in/ge7uXwfZ Applications will close at 11:59pm on Tuesday, 11 June 2024. Applications will be assessed by a panel, with notice of the outcome by 30 June 2024.