203 meetings · 707 source notes
Council budget, rates and governance decisions
Highlights
- Sets the council budget, rates and many service charges for the coming financial year.
- Sets Council spending, services, fees and project timing for the coming financial year.
- Influences future heritage protections and planning evidence across the area.
- Signals audit and compliance oversight of council finances and administration.
- Highlights audit and internal control issues that may affect council governance and service delivery.
- Supports Council’s renewable energy purchasing and may affect long-term utility costs and sustainability outcomes.
Decisions
Delivery Program, operational plan, budget, rates and charges adopted
Council adopted the draft 2026/27 to 2029/30 Delivery Program and 2026/27 Operational Plan, including the Long-Term Financial Plan, Workforce Management Strategy, Fees and Charges and Strategic Asset Management Plan, together with revised waste charges, ordinary rates, interest on overdue rates, and councillor/mayoral fees.
Sets the council budget, rates and many service charges for the coming financial year.
2026/27 Operational Plan, Budget and Resourcing Strategy adopted
Council adopted the revised Delivery Program 2025-2029, the 2026/27 Operational Plan, Budget, Revenue Policy and Schedule of Fees and Charges, with several project rephasing changes and a financial surplus target of $2-3 million.
Sets Council spending, services, fees and project timing for the coming financial year.
Heritage study moved to first-stage thematic history review
Council resolved to start with a thematic history review using existing 2026/27 budget, while also reaffirming its Aboriginal Heritage Study commitment and seeking funding for later stages.
Influences future heritage protections and planning evidence across the area.
Queensland Audit Office interim report noted
Council received and noted the Queensland Audit Office: First Interim Management Report for the financial year ended 30 June 2026.
Signals audit and compliance oversight of council finances and administration.
QAO interim report noted
Council noted the Queensland Audit Office 2026 Interim Report.
Highlights audit and internal control issues that may affect council governance and service delivery.
Electricity procurement through SSROC PEERS
Council noted its participation in the SSROC PEERS program, reaffirmed its commitment to 100% renewable energy, and delegated authority to the General Manager to finalise the electricity supply contract.
Supports Council’s renewable energy purchasing and may affect long-term utility costs and sustainability outcomes.
Annual planning documents adopted with 24.6% SRV
Council adopted the revised Resourcing Strategy, Delivery Program and Operational Plan using a Special Rate Variation of 24.6%, with the Mayor’s casting vote breaking a 5-5 tie.
Will lift rate revenue and influence Council services, projects and fees from 1 July 2026.
Petition on vacant residential property rates received
Council received a petition with 80 signatures calling for the proposed 40.9% increase in vacant residential property rates for 2026/2027 to be withdrawn, rejected or substantially reduced.
Directly affects ratepayers, especially owners of vacant residential properties.
Council Members Continuing Professional Development Policy adopted
Council adopted the updated continuing professional development policy by absolute majority. An amendment proposing a capped high-level training contribution arrangement was lost.
Affects how elected members are trained and supported, with implications for governance standards and council spending.
Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee established
Council formally established the Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee and appointed members to it, including the Deputy of the Presiding Member, by absolute majority.
Strengthens oversight of City finances, risk management and performance.
2026–27 budget, pricing and fees adopted
Council adopted the Pricing Policy, Fees and Charges 2026–27 and the 2026–27 budget. It also authorised the General Manager to make editorial and content changes before publication. One councillor asked for their vote against the motion to be recorded.
Sets council charges, service fees and the annual budget that affect household costs and funding for services.
Australia Day celebrations to be expanded
Council committed to increasing Council-run Australia Day celebrations and asked for a report on options for an event in 2027–2028, including live music, food stalls, themed attractions, sponsorship and budget needs.
May change the scale and cost of future public holiday events for residents.
Bondi Junction public land governance report carried on casting vote
Council requested a report on public land valuation, governance and transparency for the Bondi Junction Vision and Master Plan. The motion was initially lost but then carried on the Chair’s casting vote.
Could influence future decisions about council-owned or public land, valuations and redevelopment negotiations in Bondi Junction.
Previous minutes confirmed
The minutes of the 12 May 2026 Governance Advisory Committee meeting were confirmed as a correct record.
Administrative only; no direct change for residents.
Visitor pay parking consultation outcomes and revised proposal noted
The committee received and noted the Governance Advisory Committee report on visitor pay parking community consultation outcomes and a revised proposal.
May affect parking arrangements, local access and visitor parking expectations in affected areas.
Leave of absence granted for Mayor Teresa Harding
A leave of absence was granted for the Mayor for this committee meeting.
No direct service impact, but it affected committee attendance and governance for the meeting.
Fee and charges presentation received and noted
The committee received and noted the presentation on fees and charges for community and school sport, including comparison work and planned consultation.
May affect what schools and sporting groups pay to use sporting facilities.
Augusta Parkway road rehabilitation awarded
Council resolved to award Tender 5946 for Road Rehabilitation Works at Augusta Parkway, Augustine Heights, enter a contract with the successful supplier, and delegate implementation powers to the CEO within the approved budget.
Supports road condition and driving safety in Augustine Heights and surrounding local traffic routes.
Financial performance report noted
Council noted the financial performance report for the period ending 31 May 2026.
Provides public oversight of council finances but did not change spending or rates in this meeting.
Set councillor and mayoral fees for 2026-27
Council resolved annual councillor fees of $24,080 and mayoral fees of $52,560 from 1 July 2026, plus superannuation contributions.
Affects council governance costs and public accountability around elected representative payments.
Topics
Cemetery fees and charges updated
Council adopted updated cemetery fees and charges based on supplier and NSW Cemetery and Crematoria information.
Affects funeral and burial costs for families using local cemeteries.
Jubilee Stadium eastern toilet block scope change noted
Council noted a scope change and budget adjustment for the Jubilee Stadium eastern toilet block replacement and updated the 4-year capital works program.
Changes timing and cost for a stadium amenity upgrade.
Financial performance and capital funding
The May 2026 Financial Performance Report and related capital grant-funded project report were noted by council.
Important for understanding budget position and delivery of council projects.
Audit and governance review
Council noted the Queensland Audit Office interim management report and reviewed the CEO delegation framework.
Relevant to transparency, controls and how decisions are delegated within council.
Contaminated land and remediation controls
The Hurstville consent includes requirements for a site validation report and site audit statement to confirm remediation and suitability for the proposed use.
Important for public health and confidence that redevelopment sites are safe for the intended use.
Audit and risk management issues
The QAO interim report noted internal control issues, corrective actions in progress, and potential future impacts from asset revaluations and the Southern Redland Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant handover.
May affect council compliance, financial reporting and future service costs.
Rate revenue increase and budget adoption
The meeting endorsed the 2026/27 Budget-related documents with a 24.6% Special Rate Variation, alongside the 4.4% rate peg, creating a 29% rate revenue increase for 2026/27 after a tied vote and the Mayor’s casting vote.
Directly affects rates, Council spending and the funding of services and capital works.
AED rollout across Council facilities
Council approved a publicly accessible AED program and revised the project budget upward to $334,100 in 2026/27 with ongoing annual operating costs.
Improves emergency health access at community facilities.
Vacant residential property rates and concessions
The meeting included debate and a decision related to vacant residential property rates, including a provision for financial hardship assistance and concessions for some non-minimum rated vacant residential properties.
Could affect costs for owners of vacant dwellings and the overall rates burden.
Conflict of interest disclosure and participation
Councillor Paul Tully declared a declarable conflict of interest in the Warrill Park Lawn Cemetery item due to his role as a trustee of Goodna Cemetery. The committee resolved that he could continue to participate in the matter.
Shows how council managed a governance matter affecting the consideration of the cemetery plan.
Flickerfest granted extra financial assistance
Council granted Flickerfest Pty Ltd an additional one-off $4,610 from the operational budget in response to the impact of the Bondi terror attack on the 2026 festival.
Small direct funding decision for a local cultural event.
Community and school sport fees and charges
The committee discussed proposed differences in fees and charges for schools using sport facilities, with comparative council fee information and further consultation to follow.
May affect school sport costs and access to council-managed sporting venues.
Policy review and governance updates
The meeting included policy changes and adoption of committee recommendations, with one item noting a councillor should be recorded as an observer in a prior committee report.
Shows routine governance maintenance, with the main public effect coming from the policy adoption and repeal items.
Instruments of appointment and authorisation considered
Council considered the committee meeting held on 18 May 2026 regarding instruments of appointment and authorisation to council.
Administrative governance item that supports council operations and delegations.
Public debate on project scope and budget
The meeting featured repeated points of order and debate about whether budget matters and cost overruns should be discussed within the special meeting.
Shows council disagreement about project oversight and how ratepayer money should be managed.
Debt recovery and property sales
The committee dealt with both public and confidential debt recovery matters, including proposed winding-up action and sale of specific properties for unpaid rates and charges.
Highlights council enforcement action against significant overdue accounts.
Meetings