150 meetings on the record
Council waste, water and environment decisions
Highlights
- Residents can provide feedback before the mapping returns to Council.
- Future battery projects may improve local energy resilience, but further feasibility and approvals are required.
- The entry project may face changed timing or costs.
- The reforms may change disaster recovery and resilience funding arrangements affecting the Scenic Rim.
- The advocacy seeks additional funding for councils and communities facing rising climate-related costs.
- Residents in four communities will be directly affected by the water-treatment decision.
Decisions
Draft catchment flood maps endorsed for consultation
Council endorsed updated draft flood mapping and required consultation with affected residents and property owners.
Residents can provide feedback before the mapping returns to Council.
Staged community-battery approach endorsed
Council endorsed the staged community-battery portfolio approach, including detailed feasibility studies at priority Council-owned sites and continued partnership investigations.
Future battery projects may improve local energy resilience, but further feasibility and approvals are required.
Waste-centre tender process redirected
Council rejected all tenders for the Ballina Resource Recovery Centre main entry works and authorised negotiations because bids exceeded the current budget.
The entry project may face changed timing or costs.
Council opposes proposed disaster recovery funding reforms
Council resolved to sign and promote a Queensland Government petition opposing proposed Australian Government Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements reforms, lodge a submission with the National Emergency Management Agency, oppose the reforms publicly and request that the Mayor write to federal and state representatives.
The reforms may change disaster recovery and resilience funding arrangements affecting the Scenic Rim.
Council backs climate-adaptation funding advocacy
Council endorsed a submission to the 2026 WALGA Annual General Meeting supporting stronger climate leadership, adaptation funding and investigation of fossil-fuel levies and a national compensation fund.
The advocacy seeks additional funding for councils and communities facing rising climate-related costs.
Fluoride dosing approved for Greenmount water supply
Council resolved to include a fluoride dosing plant in the Greenmount Water Treatment Plant project and add fluoride to treated water supplied to Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton. Queensland Health is to be advised and the decision published on Council’s website.
Residents in four communities will be directly affected by the water-treatment decision.
Staged procurement approved for Southern Water Treatment Plant
Council approved an EOI process to shortlist proponents before written tenders and an Early Contractor Involvement process for the Southern Water Treatment Plant design-and-construction contract.
The decision establishes the procurement pathway for a major water infrastructure project.
Quarterly Waste Services Operations Report received
The committee received the Quarterly Operations Report for Waste Services for the period ending June 2026. The motion passed 7–0.
The report records the current service position, including collection operations and facility changes, but does not itself adopt a new charge or service policy.
Quarterly Strategic Report received
The committee received the Quarterly Strategic Report for the period ending June 2026. The motion was carried unanimously, with seven votes recorded in favour.
The report provides an update on strategic waste-service planning and future delivery considerations.
Audit and Risk Management Committee minutes adopted
Council adopted the minutes of the Audit and Risk Management Committee meeting held on 4 June 2026.
The adopted minutes include the committee’s oversight of internal audit, risk, integrity and financial sustainability.
Greenmount Water Treatment Plant contract award
Council resolved to award WT32-24/25 Four Communities Project Greenmount Water Treatment Plant to the preferred tenderer identified in the confidential report and authorised the Chief Executive Officer to execute the formal contracts.
The decision progresses construction and delivery of the treatment plant, although the tenderer and contract value were not released publicly.
Fluoride dosing plant added to project
Council resolved to include a fluoride dosing plant in the Greenmount Water Treatment Plant design and construction scope.
The treatment plant will be designed to support fluoridation of water supplied to four named towns.
Fluoridation approved for four-town water supply
Council resolved to add fluoride to treated water produced at the Greenmount Water Treatment Plant and formally advise Queensland Health, with the decision to be published in accordance with the Water Fluoridation Act 2008.
The resolution creates a future water-treatment change for Cambooya, Greenmount, Nobby and Clifton.
Previous Environmental Sustainability Community Committee minutes adopted
Council acknowledged reports and adopted the minutes of the Environmental Sustainability Community Committee meeting held on 5 June 2026.
This confirmed the previous committee record; it did not create a new resident-facing policy or project.
Waste management utility charges adopted
Council adopted waste management utility charges for 2026-2027 and designated all premises in the Scenic Rim as areas where general waste collection may be provided. The motion to designate collection areas was carried 4/3.
Directly affects waste service charges and collection availability for all properties able to receive council waste services.
Approved LGA-wide FOGO rollout for single-unit dwellings
Council approved a single-stage rollout of Food Organics and Garden Organics collection for single-unit dwellings across Burwood during 2026/27, with community education and a follow-up report due within 12 months of commencement.
Affects waste collection services, kitchen waste diversion and household recycling behaviour.
Adopted the 2026-2027 Budget
Council adopted the 2026-2027 Budget and incorporated the Budget and Long-Term Financial Forecast, forecast financial statements, revenue statement, revenue policy and financial sustainability measures.
Sets the financial basis for Council services, projects, rates and charges for 2026-2027.
Adopted waste management and other charges
Council decided to levy waste management utility charges, including a household waste service charge of $553.00 and a non-household waste levy of $110.80.
Directly affects household and business waste service costs.
Rates and charges levied for 2026/27
Council made and levied differential general rates, sewerage utility charges, water utility charges, waste management charges and associated levies for the 2026/27 financial year.
Sets the annual charges payable by property owners and service users across the region.
Financial Sustainability Strategy 2026/27 adopted
Council adopted the Financial Sustainability Strategy 2026/27, which outlines long-term financial targets, risks and management approaches.
Shapes future spending, asset renewals, borrowing and financial resilience.
Topics
Flood mapping consultation
Council endorsed updated draft flood mapping for the A’Beckett’s Creek, Duck Creek and Duck River catchments and will consult directly affected residents and property owners.
Property owners may be affected by updated flood-risk information and future planning decisions.
Booked kerbside clean-up notifications
Council will investigate an automated PDF notification identifying pre-booked kerbside clean-ups and report on alternative options.
Clearer notices may reduce confusion about booked waste collections and help residents distinguish them from unbooked dumped items.
Future Ready Cabonne program
Council endorsed the Future Ready Cabonne program update and its planned next steps, including community engagement, financial sustainability work and service reviews.
The program may influence future council services, costs and long-term financial decisions.
2026/27 rates and charges donations
The 2026/27 rates and charges donation report was noted, including estimated water-consumption and wastewater-usage charges, but no specific charge amounts or percentage changes were provided in the extract.
Residents should consult the full rates and charges report for exact amounts and eligibility details.
Disaster recovery funding reform
Council opposed proposed Australian Government changes to Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and authorised a petition campaign, formal submission and political representations.
The changes could affect future disaster recovery and resilience funding available to the region.
E-waste disposal services
The City currently offers permanent small e-waste collection points, two free Verge Valet collections per year and disposal options at Balcatta Recycling Centre and West Metro Recycling Centre.
Residents have multiple existing options for batteries, electronics and other e-waste, but no new hub program was approved.
Fees, charges and development activity
Fees and charges were $18.4 million above budget, including higher private works, development, water infrastructure, planning and commercial waste income.
Higher activity and demand are contributing to Council revenue and may indicate increased development, construction and waste-service use.
Borrowing policy
Council will prepare a borrowing policy addressing debt limits, capital financing and repayment sustainability.
Future borrowing decisions could affect Council’s finances and the delivery of major infrastructure.
Current waste service operations
Waste Services operates with 62 operational staff and 19 administrative staff from the Ashby Operations Centre and delivers kerbside, verge-side, public-place and drop-off services.
This provides context for the capacity and scope of the City’s waste services.
Wangara community drop-off services
Residents paying the Waste Service Fee can use the Wangara Recycling Facility for materials including e-waste, cardboard, expanded polystyrene, scrap metal and household hazardous waste.
Residents can access disposal and recycling options for materials that cannot go in standard kerbside bins.
Kerbside collection arrangements
The City’s service model includes weekly general waste, fortnightly commingled recycling and fortnightly garden organics collections where mandatory service requirements apply.
These are the main household collection arrangements currently described in the report.
Verge-side collection services
Annual verge-side entitlements include bulk hard waste, garden organics, mattresses, whitegoods and e-waste, with materials directed to recycling, recovery or processing facilities.
Residents can use the booking system and relevant entitlements to dispose of bulky household items.
Interim financial results and sustainability
Council noted interim June 2026 financial results. The operating deficit was $1.28 million, favourable to the revised budget by $7.53 million; the cash balance was $271.89 million. Results remain subject to audit.
Provides an early picture of Council’s financial position, service capacity and capital spending performance.
Asset renewal
The Asset Sustainability Ratio was below target, with renewal spending of $45.42 million against depreciation of approximately $45.42 million as reported in the extract.
Asset renewal performance affects the long-term condition of Council infrastructure.
Audit, risk and integrity oversight
Council’s Audit and Risk Management Committee minutes were adopted. The committee approved the 2026–2027 Internal Audit Plan and identified ongoing risks involving digital transformation, confidentiality, fuel security, supply chains and major projects.
The oversight work concerns the reliability, security and resilience of Council services.
Greenmount Water Treatment Plant contract
The Greenmount Water Treatment Plant contract award was considered in a confidential session because it involved commercial negotiations. The preferred tenderer was not identified in the public minutes.
The project may affect water infrastructure and service delivery in the four-town supply area, but cost and contractor details were not disclosed.