Councillor Briefing and Workshop Session - 1 Sep 2026 9:00 AM

Topics

• Ipswich Show Society seeks Council backing for emergency refuge facilities
  The Ipswich Show Society wants State Government funding support for Stage 4 upgrades at the Ipswich Showgrounds, including emergency evacuation and refuge facilities.
  The proposal could add emergency capacity for residents during future disasters, but Council has not yet committed support or funding.
• Approved flood-recovery funding covers Bremer River stabilisation projects
  Council reported that disaster-recovery submissions following Tropical Cyclone Alfred had progressed to approved status, with Bremer River stabilisation at Riverlink and Riverheart parklands highlighted.
  The works concern flood resilience and riverbank safety in well-used public areas.
• Ipswich graffiti policy changes head to future committee report
  Council is considering amendments to its Graffiti Removal Policy after councillor feedback, with a further report promised to the Finance and Governance Committee.
  Changes could alter graffiti-response arrangements for residents, property owners and Council services.

Decisions

• Ipswich Show Society resilience funding request noted
  Councillors noted the Ipswich Show Society’s request for Council support to seek State Government funding through Ipswich’s Local Resilience Action Plan for Stage 4 emergency evacuation and refuge facilities. Consideration of the request will follow.
  The proposal could improve emergency evacuation and refuge capacity at the Ipswich Showgrounds, subject to funding and future Council consideration.
• Graffiti Removal Policy changes to proceed for further consideration
  Councillors discussed proposed updates and provided feedback. A report will be brought to a future Finance and Governance Committee meeting.
  Any future policy changes could affect how graffiti on public or private property is reported, removed and managed.
• Flood-recovery project update received
  Councillors discussed updates on Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements projects following the March 2025 Tropical Cyclone Alfred event. Submissions to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority had progressed to approved status.
  Recovery works, including riverbank stabilisation, may improve safety and resilience in affected areas.

Discussion

• Ipswich Showgrounds emergency facilities
  The Ipswich Show Society presented a Local Resilience Action Plan proposal for Stage 4 upgrades involving emergency evacuation and refuge facilities.
  The facilities could support residents during future emergencies, but the request remains under consideration and no funding commitment was recorded.
• Flood recovery and riverbank stabilisation
  The briefing covered approved recovery funding submissions and project status after Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with particular discussion of Bremer River riverbank stabilisation at Riverlink and Riverheart parklands.
  The projects relate to flood resilience, riverbank safety and the condition of important public areas.
• Proposed graffiti policy amendments
  Councillors reviewed proposed amendments to Council’s Graffiti Removal Policy and gave feedback before a future committee report.
  Residents and property owners may be affected by future changes to graffiti response and removal arrangements.
• Local-government legislation briefing
  Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers and planning representatives briefed councillors on remaining provisions of the Local Government (Empowering Councils) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026.
  The legislative changes may affect Council’s powers, responsibilities or operating requirements, although no specific local change was recorded at this meeting.

Impacts

• Potential State Government funding support may be pursued for emergency evacuation and refuge facilities at the Ipswich Showgrounds.
• Flood-recovery projects, including Bremer River riverbank stabilisation, have progressed through approved funding submissions.
• Proposed graffiti-management changes will be considered further before any policy outcome is known.
• No immediate rates, fees, planning approvals or service changes were recorded.

Places

• Ipswich Showgrounds (facility)
  Location of the proposed Stage 4 emergency evacuation and refuge facilities project.
• Riverlink (project area)
  Location of Bremer River riverbank stabilisation discussed as part of flood recovery.
• Riverheart parklands (parkland and project area)
  Location of Bremer River riverbank stabilisation discussed as part of flood recovery.
• Bremer River (river)
  Waterway associated with the riverbank stabilisation works.
• Ipswich (local government area)
  Area covered by the Local Resilience Action Plan and Council’s recovery and graffiti-management responsibilities.

Next

• Council to consider the Ipswich Show Society’s request for support for State Government funding under the Local Resilience Action Plan.
  Not specified.
• Prepare a report on the proposed Graffiti Removal Policy updates for a Finance and Governance Committee meeting.
  Future committee meeting; date not specified.
• Continue progressing approved disaster-recovery projects, including Bremer River riverbank stabilisation at Riverlink and Riverheart parklands.
  Project timing not specified.

Extract

1 SEPTEMBER 2026 COUNCILLOR BRIEFING AND WORKSHOP SESSION MEETING NO. 2026(18)] of 4 COUNCILLOR BRIEFING AND WORKSHOP SESSION MEETING NO. 2026(18) 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE: Mayor Teresa Harding, Jacob Madsen, Pye Augustine, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic, Paul Tully (via audio-link), Marnie Doyle, Andrew Antoniolli, David Martin and Jim Madden COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES: Nil OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Assets and Infrastructure Services (Seren McKenzie), General Manager Environment and Sustainability (Kaye Cavanagh), General Manager Community, Cultural and Economic Development (Ben Pole), General Manager Planning and Regulatory...