Committees
- Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation Action Plan Consultative Committee (Co-Chair)
- Brimbank Economic and Employment Advisory Group
- Chief Executive Officer Employment Matters Committee
- LeadWest Joint Delegated Committee
- Municipal Association of Victoria
- St Albans Town Centre Partnership Group
Find out more about Council's Committees.
Get to know Cr Jae Papalia
What is your connection to Brimbank?
I grew up in Brimbank and have lived here my entire life. My parents were local business people who worked hard to provide for my brother and I. I’ve enjoyed watching our community evolve over the years and I love being part of Brimbank’s story. To me it is, was, and always has been the land of opportunity for people across many cultures and backgrounds. I can’t wait to raise my own family here.
What do you think is the greatest strength of the Brimbank Community?
Undoubtedly, our greatest strength is our cultural diversity. With almost half of Brimbank’s residents born outside of Australia, we are one of the most diverse municipalities in Australia. Our community identity is enriched by so many backgrounds and influences, resulting in our own unique, evolving culture. Brimbank is a place where anyone can come from near or far, seize opportunities and build a life for their families.
What are your greatest concerns for Brimbank?
Currently, we only have 6.2% tree canopy coverage in Brimbank, which is among the lowest in Greater Melbourne. We want to build a cleaner, greener Brimbank as we move into the future. We are also one of the most rapidly growing municipalities which will test our infrastructure and systems – however this is also one of the most exciting aspects for our community. Also, education is an area of opportunity for us. 51% of residents aged 15 and over have no formal qualification, compared with 38.6% for Greater Melbourne.
What made you decide to run for Council?
I am really passionate about investing in young people. So much still needs to be done to support youth education, jobs and resources. I have the utmost faith in our young people and want to do what I can to help make their future in Brimbank a bright one. I’d also like to help businesses and our community to innovate when it comes to environmental sustainability, while also supporting them to achieve a strong COVID-19 recovery. Finally, building a collaborative team across the council and community – across all sectors is important to me. I’m excited to present a diverse Council plan where we can advocate for state funding together and make our hopes a reality.
What is your favourite thing to do in Brimbank?
There are too many things to list here, but favourites include walking my gorgeous pet cavoodle Mila at Brimbank Park, eating delicious food from our incredible local restaurants, and watching my brother play footy for Keilor on the weekends.