Council - 27 Aug 2026 9:00 AM

Topics

• Council orders costed plan to rehabilitate Bill Paterson Oval athletics track
  Council has set a deadline for a detailed upgrade report while continuing planning for a future synthetic track.
  Athletics clubs and other users may receive a clearer path to safer, more suitable competition and community facilities.
• Animal Welfare League wins approximately $34 million Ipswich animal-services contract
  Council awarded a five-year animal management contract with a possible five-year extension.
  The contract governs a high-profile public service used by pet owners, residents reporting strays and animal welfare groups.
• Ipswich approves $3.1 million priority-streetscape greening contract
  The Ipswich Greening Project moves into design and construction for priority streetscapes.
  The contract may change the appearance and amenity of selected streets and create work for landscaping businesses.

Decisions

• Bill Paterson Oval athletics upgrades
  Council continued planning for a synthetic athletics track at a council-owned facility and ordered a report by no later than 29 October 2026 on the cost and scope of improving Bill Paterson Oval to grass athletics-track standards. The review must consider levelling, compaction, returfing, soil, drainage, turf species and irrigation, with engagement involving Ipswich District Athletics and Ipswich Little Athletics. Council also requested a future review of sporting-field standards and specifications.
  The decision may improve the quality and usability of a major local sporting facility and inform future investment in synthetic and grass athletics infrastructure.
• Animal management services contract
  Council awarded Animal Welfare League Queensland a five-year animal management services contract worth approximately $34 million excluding GST, with a possible further five-year extension.
  The provider will continue delivering important animal management services across the city.
• Ipswich Greening Project contract
  Council awarded a contract worth approximately $3.1 million excluding GST for priority streetscape design and construction under the Ipswich Greening Project.
  The project is expected to deliver streetscape improvements in identified priority areas.
• Retail landscaping expenditure increased
  Council approved estimated expenditure of up to $3.05 million excluding GST for Retail Landscaping Contract 5510, an increase of $1.15 million from the original approved value.
  The increase represents a material change to council spending on landscaping services.
• Meeting governance policies changed
  Council adopted a revised Meeting Procedures Policy with multiple amendments and repealed the Meeting Conduct Policy. It also repealed the Investigation Policy, while preserving its application to existing matters covered by section 367 of the Local Government Act 2009 until final determination.
  The changes affect how council meetings are conducted, including quorum, teleconference attendance, procedural motions, public access during closed sessions and points of correction.
• Community leases approved
  Council approved five-year community leases at 460–466 Redbank Plains Road, Redbank Plains, for a kindergarten at an annual rent of $3,150 excluding GST; at 56 Harold Summervilles Road, Karalee, for playgroup activities at $1 excluding GST if demanded; and at 1 Railway Street, Rosewood, for the Rosewood Hack and Pony Club at $1 excluding GST if demanded.
  The leases support early learning, playgroup and equestrian community activities at low or community-based rents.
• Robelle Domain café operator approved
  Council awarded the management and operation of Robelle Domain Café 1 to the recommended tenderer named in a confidential attachment for an initial five-year term.
  The decision determines the operator of a public café serving visitors to Robelle Domain.
• Multicultural Advisory Committee appointments
  Council approved preferred external advisors, an order of merit and appointments for the remaining 2024–2028 council term, subject to background checks and volunteer agreements. It also amended the committee terms of reference to allow up to six external advisors.
  The appointments expand community representation in council’s multicultural advisory work.

Discussion

• Disaster recovery program management
  Council noted expenditure and increased project-management requirements under Contract 19000 from 2022 to 2026 and noted the transition to Turner & Townsend under Local Buy LB505 for Tropical Cyclone Alfred recovery work.
  The change supports ongoing recovery projects following the 2025 cyclone.
• Springfield Parkway Duplication Stage 2
  Council awarded the tender for Springfield Parkway Duplication Stage 2, with the supplier and approved amount contained in a confidential attachment.
  The project is a significant transport infrastructure commitment affecting Springfield and surrounding growth areas.
• Electricity contract
  Council noted a three-year electricity contract with Origin Energy Retail Limited, executed on 26 May 2026, with a proposed value of $1.3 million including retail and network charges.
  The contract commits council to a major ongoing operational energy expense.
• Community flood preparedness
  Council received and noted the report on the Community-based Flood Emergency Action Plans project and Community Flood Awareness Guides.
  The project is intended to improve household and community preparedness for flooding.
• Event sponsorship
  Council noted sponsorship allocations including support for the 2026 Let's Go Ipswich Caravan and RV Expo, History Alive, Gulf Western Oil Winternationals and Journey Church’s complementary event.
  The funded events bring community, cultural and visitor activity to Ipswich.
• Planning legislation question
  A question was raised about whether Queensland’s proposed state strategic project designation could apply to Ipswich developments not related to critical minerals.
  Any future designation could affect the planning pathway for major developments in Ipswich, but no decision was recorded at this meeting.

Impacts

• Bill Paterson Oval may receive grass-track rehabilitation, subject to a future report and funding decisions.
• Animal management services will be delivered under a new long-term contract with Animal Welfare League Queensland.
• Priority streetscape works will proceed under a contract valued at approximately $3.1 million excluding GST.
• Council’s meeting procedures and related governance policies have changed.
• Community organisations will receive low-cost or subsidised leases for kindergarten, playgroup and pony-club activities.
• Robelle Domain Café 1 will operate under a new five-year management arrangement.

Places

• Bill Paterson Oval (sporting facility)
  Target of a proposed grass athletics-track rehabilitation assessment.
• Redbank Plains Road, Redbank Plains (road and suburb)
  Site of a five-year kindergarten lease at 460–466 Redbank Plains Road.
• Harold Summervilles Road, Karalee (road and suburb)
  Site of a five-year playgroup lease at number 56.
• Railway Street, Rosewood (road and town)
  Site of a five-year trustee lease for the Rosewood Hack and Pony Club.
• Bellbird Park (suburb)
  Location of an easement declared surplus and approved for surrender.
• Springfield Parkway (road and project area)
  Location of the Stage 2 duplication tender.
• Robelle Domain (park and precinct)
  Location of Café 1, for which council approved a five-year operating arrangement.
• City of Ipswich (local government area)
  Area affected by the council decisions, animal management services and flood-awareness work.

Next

• Prepare the Bill Paterson Oval rehabilitation report, including costs, scope, funding and delivery options.
  No later than the 29 October 2026 Council meeting.
• Engage Ipswich District Athletics and Ipswich Little Athletics during preparation of the Bill Paterson Oval report.
  Before the report is presented.
• Present a future report reviewing standards and specifications for new sporting fields.
  At a future Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee meeting.
• Implement the approved animal management, streetscape, landscaping and Robelle Domain Café contracts.
  Following execution and contractual action by the Chief Executive Officer.
• Complete background and reference checks and volunteer agreements for approved multicultural external advisors.
  Before appointments are finalised.
• Respond to the question about Queensland’s proposed state strategic project designation and its possible application in Ipswich.
  Follow-up by the Planning and Regulatory Services Department; timing not stated.

Extract

of 38 UNCONFIRMED MINUTES OF COUNCIL ORDINARY MEETING 27 AUGUST 2026 Held in the Council Chambers, Administration Building 1 Nicholas Street, Ipswich The meeting commenced at 9.00 am 1. ATTENDANCE AT COMMENCEMENT Mayor Teresa Harding (Chairperson); Councillors Pye Augustine, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic, Paul Tully, Marnie Doyle, Andrew Antoniolli, David Martin and Jim Madden 2. WELCOME TO COUNTRY OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Mayor Teresa Harding delivered the Acknowledgement of Country At 9.01 am Councillor Jacob Madsen arrived at the meeting. 3. OPENING PRAYER Reverend Allana Wales – Ipswich Anglican Parish 4. APOLOGIES AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE Nil 5. CONDOLENCES Nil 6. TRIBUTES Nil 7. PRESENTA...