Special Budget (SB) - 22 April 2026

Topics

• Pizzey Park action-sports hub moves to concept design stage
  Gold Coast councillors backed funding for concept design and costing of the Pizzey Park Action Sports Hub, while leaving any construction commitment to a later report.
  Residents have a concrete next step for a proposed sports facility, but the project’s final cost and delivery remain undecided.
• Oil-crisis cost pressures to be tracked monthly in Gold Coast budget process
  The City Administration Crisis Management Team must report monthly on continuing oil-crisis impacts as Council prepares its 2026–27 operating budget.
  Fuel and oil costs could affect Council operations, service delivery and future spending decisions.
• Gold Coast Games legacy projects still need government and private funding
  Council will seek state, federal and private investment for Brisbane 2032 legacy projects, while unfunded projects compete for consideration in future budgets.
  The decision signals potential major infrastructure opportunities but confirms that projects are not all funded.

Decisions

• Draft 2026–27 budget materials kept confidential
  Council adopted recommendations to keep draft budget reports and attachments confidential under the Local Government Act 2009, unless the Chief Executive Officer decides otherwise.
  The detailed draft budget, including proposed spending and charges, was not publicly released in the confirmed minutes.
• Capital expenditure program advanced with conditions
  The draft Four Year Capital Expenditure Program for 2026–27 to 2029–30 was endorsed for inclusion in the budget process. Funding for the City Wide Service Orientated Infrastructure program will require a further Council report and approved funding sources. Funding for all projects in the Emerging Community Infrastructure Fund program is also subject to a further report and funding approval.
  Projects proposed for the next four years remain subject to further scrutiny, funding identification and adoption of the annual budget.
• Pizzey Park Action Sports Hub design funding supported
  Concept design and costing for the Pizzey Park Action Sports Hub was to be funded in 2026–27, with any further funding dependent on a future report on the outcomes.
  The decision funds planning work for a major sports and recreation facility but does not commit the full construction cost.
• Oil-crisis impacts to be monitored monthly
  Council resolved to consider the impacts identified in the oil-crisis report during the 2026–27 operating-budget process. The City Administration Crisis Management Team must report on ongoing impacts monthly through the Governance, Administration and Finance Committee, commencing with meeting round 868.
  Fuel and oil-related cost pressures may influence Council services, operating costs and future budget decisions.
• Brisbane 2032 legacy projects to seek outside funding
  Council noted the strategic, economic and legacy opportunities associated with Games projects, directed officers to seek state and federal funding and appropriate private investment, and said projects not yet fully funded should be considered in the 2026–27 and future budget processes.
  Projects linked to the Brisbane 2032 legacy remain subject to external funding and future budget decisions rather than being fully funded at this meeting.
• Remaining business deferred
  All remaining matters were deferred to the Special Budget Committee meeting scheduled for 7 May 2026.
  Further budget matters, including items not resolved at this meeting, are expected to return in May.

Discussion

• Confidential draft budget process
  The committee considered confidential draft 2026–27 budget documents, including capital expenditure and budget-impact reports. Attachments for the substantive closed-session items were redacted in full in the confirmed minutes.
  Residents cannot yet assess the detailed proposals, project allocations or budget assumptions from the public minutes.
• Four-year capital planning
  The draft 2026–27 to 2029–30 capital program was advanced, but several funding allocations were made conditional on further reports and identification of funding sources.
  Capital projects may change or be delayed depending on future funding decisions.
• Games infrastructure and legacy planning
  The committee considered an update on infrastructure projects associated with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including legacy, economic and strategic opportunities.
  The projects could affect future investment, construction activity and community facilities across the Gold Coast, but their funding status remains unresolved.
• Separate rates and charges
  The draft Separate Rates and Charges 2026–27 was listed for confidential consideration, but the remaining matters were deferred to 7 May 2026. No rates or charge amounts were publicly adopted in the supplied minutes.
  Residents should not treat this meeting as setting final 2026–27 rates or charges.

Impacts

• Detailed draft budget documents and attachments remain confidential unless released by the Chief Executive Officer.
• The Pizzey Park Action Sports Hub will receive funding for concept design and costing, not a confirmed full construction commitment.
• Oil-crisis impacts will be monitored monthly and considered during operating-budget deliberations.
• Brisbane 2032 legacy projects may be pursued with state, federal and private funding, with unfunded projects subject to future budget consideration.
• Further budget matters are scheduled for consideration on 7 May 2026.

Places

• Pizzey Park (park and sports facility)
  Location of the proposed Action Sports Hub concept design and costing work.
• Gold Coast (local government area)
  The City of Gold Coast is considering the budget, capital program and Games legacy projects.
• Brisbane 2032 Games project areas (project area)
  Infrastructure and legacy projects associated with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Next

• Include endorsed capital-program items in the 2026–27 budget process, subject to further reports and funding-source approval where specified.
  During 2026–27 budget deliberations and adoption process
• Fund concept design and costing for the Pizzey Park Action Sports Hub and report on the outcomes before considering further funding.
  2026–27 budget and subsequent report
• Provide monthly reports on ongoing oil-crisis impacts through the Governance, Administration and Finance Committee.
  From meeting round 868
• Seek state and federal funding and appropriate private investment for Games legacy projects.
  Future funding rounds; no specific date stated
• Return remaining budget matters, including deferred matters, to the Special Budget Committee.
  7 May 2026

Extract

867 CONFIRMED MINUTES SPECIAL BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL 2026 9:00AM The meeting commenced at 9:01am City of Gold Coast Council Chambers 135 Bundall Road Surfers Paradise 867 Meeting of the Special Budget Committee Confirmed Minutes Wednesday 22 April 2026 ORDER OF BUSINESS 1 ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES .................................................................... 3 2 LEAVE OF ABSENCE ............................................................................... 3 3 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ................................................................ 4 4 CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS ........................................... 5 5 COMMITTEE FORWARD PLANNING SCHEDULE...