In June 2025, the Minister for Planning amended the Brimbank Planning Scheme to make herself the Responsible Authority for all planning approvals for the sites at 147A Cairnlea Drive and 26S Glenbrook Avenue, Cairnlea, which Development Victoria is planning to develop.
What does this change mean?
For Council:
Brimbank City Council no longer has Responsible Authority powers for planning approvals for the sites at 147A Cairnlea Drive and 26S Glenbrook Avenue, Cairnlea. The Minister for Planning has taken over as the Responsible Authority for all planning approvals for these sites.
For the community:
The proposed Cairnlea development has been a matter of concern for some parts of the community. With the Minister taking over Council’s Responsible Authority powers, any submissions or objections about future proposals would need to be provided to the Minister. However, there is no ability to seek a review of the Minister’s decisions at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). The decision of the Minister is final.
Amendment C222brim
Development Victoria has withdrawn Amendment C222brim and plans to use the existing planning controls that apply to the land. In 2022, Council lodged an objecting submission to Amendment C222brim, which sought a rezoning of the sites to facilitate the use and development of the land in accordance with the Cairnlea Comprehensive Development Plan (July 2021).
The amendment was prepared by the Minister for Planning at the request of Development Victoria. Council presented its submission to the Government Land Standing Advisory Committee, along with community members. Despite several requests, Council was never provided a copy of the Advisory Committee’s report.
Council is concerned about its loss of authority
Council has written to the Minister for Planning expressing its concern about losing its Responsible Authority status over these sites and has requested the return of these powers.
Council considers it is well placed to determine planning applications at the Cairnlea sites, which is a key function of local government.
For up-to-date information regarding these sites, please refer to the dedicated webpage on Development Victoria’s website.
Council media statements and submissions
- 6 June 2025 - Media Statement - Council objects to Minister’s takeover of responsible authority powers for Cairnlea development
- 22 April 2022 - Media Release - Council submission expresses concerns with Development Victoria’s proposed Cairnlea Development
- Proposed Planning Scheme Amendment C222brim - Cairnlea Development - Council Meeting No. 602 19 April 2022 (PDF 3.2MB)
- Council submission to proposed Planning Scheme Amendment C222brim - April 2022 (PDF 2.4MB)
Draft Development Plan
In July 2025 the State Planning Assessment and Facilitation unit of the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) wrote to Council to advise that DTP, as the responsible authority, had received a request from Development Victoria to approve the Development Plan for the remaining stage of the Cairnlea Estate at 147A Cairnlea Drive and 26S Glenbrook Avenue, Cairnlea. DTP requested Council’s initial review of the Draft Development Plan as a key stakeholder.
An officer submission was provided to DTP on 2 September 2025: Submission to DTP regarding Draft Development Plan for 147A Cairnlea Drive and 26S Glenbrook Avenue Cairnlea
Queries about the draft Development Plan should be directed to DTP as the responsible authority.
Development Victoria Community Updates
- Comms - Cairnlea update - EDM - June 2025 (PDF 63KB)
