Councillor Briefing and Workshop Session - 5 May 2026 9:00 AM

Topics

• $21 million in flood recovery submissions lodged after TC Alfred
  Council says recovery work is progressing and multiple funding submissions are now before the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
  Signals the scale and pace of rebuilding and could lead to visible works across affected areas.
• New parking meters set for Ipswich Central rollout
  Council discussed the communication plan and rollout for new parking meters in the city centre.
  Parking changes can affect shoppers, workers, traders and visitor access in the CBD.

Decisions

• Privacy Policy to proceed to committee
  Councillors noted and discussed the updated Information Privacy Policy, which will be reported to the Finance and Governance Committee for consideration.
  May affect how Council handles residents’ personal information and privacy compliance.
• Draft Indigenous Accord to be refined and consulted on
  Councillors provided feedback on the working draft 2026–2031 Indigenous Accord. Officers will refine the draft, undertake targeted community consultation, and then finalise it for Council endorsement and implementation.
  Shapes Council’s future reconciliation priorities and community engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Discussion

• Future use of the Woollen Mills
  Councillors discussed information on potential future use of the Woollen Mills site.
  May influence the long-term use and activation of a significant local site.
• Flood recovery projects update
  Council officers reported progress on recovery projects following the March 2025 TC Alfred event, with about $21 million in submissions lodged with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and procurement being prepared for identified projects.
  Affects recovery works, funding, and rebuilding activity across impacted areas.
• Stakeholder engagement and rollout of new parking meters
  Councillors noted and discussed the communication and rollout plan for new parking meters in Ipswich Central.
  Could change parking arrangements and costs in the city centre.

Impacts

• Potential changes to the future use of the Woollen Mills site.
• Ongoing flood recovery works and funding applications may affect local infrastructure and service restoration.
• Updated privacy policy may improve how personal information is managed by Council.
• The new Indigenous Accord may influence Council programs, partnerships and consultation with Indigenous communities.
• New parking meters in Ipswich Central may change parking access and enforcement.

Places

• Woollen Mills (facility/site)
  Subject of discussion about future use.
• Ipswich Central (city centre)
  Rollout area for new parking meters.
• Ipswich (local government area)
  General Council area for the meeting and flood recovery work.

Next

• Refer the updated Information Privacy Policy to the Finance and Governance Committee
  Future committee consideration
• Refine the draft Indigenous Accord 2026–2031
  After councillor feedback
• Undertake targeted community consultation on the Indigenous Accord
  Before finalisation
• Finalise procurement activities for flood recovery projects
  In preparation for QRA submission approval
• Implement stakeholder engagement and rollout for new parking meters
  Ongoing rollout phase

Extract

5 MAY 2026 COUNCILLOR BRIEFING AND WORKSHOP SESSION MEETING NO. 2026(09)] of 4 COUNCILLOR BRIEFING AND WORKSHOP SESSION MEETING NO. 2026(00) 5 MAY 2026 REPORT COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE: Mayor Teresa Harding; Councillors Jacob Madsen (via audio-link), Pye Augustine (via audio- link), Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic (via audio-link), Paul Tully, Marnie Doyle, Andrew Antoniolli, David Martin and Jim Madden COUNCILLORS’ APOLOGIES: Nil OFFICER’S ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Community, Cultural and Economic Development (Ben Pole), General Manager Asset and Infrastructure Services (Seren McKenzie), General Manager Corporate Services (Matt Smith), Executive Services M...