Finance and Governance Committee - 17 Mar 2026 10 minutes after the conclusion of the Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee or such later time as determined by the preceding committee

Topics

• Council backs $12.6 million extension to Volvo waste truck maintenance contract
  Service continuity and cost escalation for the fleet that keeps household waste collections running.
  Residents rely on regular rubbish collection, and the contract increase signals higher operating costs for a core service.
• Energex easement clears way for electricity infrastructure at Ipswich Motorsport Precinct
  Council approved steps to formalise an easement for a padmount transformer in Willowbank.
  The project supports power supply to a major local precinct and may affect surrounding land use and works activity.

Decisions

• Disposal of easement over council land to Energex Limited
  Council was asked to approve an exemption under section 236(2) of the Local Government Regulation 2012 and authorise the CEO to negotiate and finalise easement terms for electricity supply works at 133 Champions Way, Willowbank (Lot 11 on SP328524), to enable a padmount transformer in the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct.
  Supports electricity infrastructure for the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct and may affect nearby land use and works activity in Willowbank.
• Delegation to CEO for small contestable site electricity contract
  Council resolved to use Local Buy arrangement LB333 for electricity procurement for small contestable sites, with an estimated contract value of $3.4 million excluding GST over about three years to 31 August 2029, and delegated contractual action to the CEO.
  Affects council electricity costs and the ongoing operation of small council sites, with possible budget implications for ratepayers.
• Increase to contract value for Volvo waste collection vehicle servicing
  Council approved increasing Contract 22700 for onsite servicing and maintenance of Volvo waste collection vehicles from $9.3 million to about $12.623 million and extending the expiry date from 31 May 2032 to 30 June 2035.
  Helps maintain waste collection services and fleet reliability, which directly affects household rubbish collection.

Discussion

• Move into open session
  The meeting moved from confidential to open session at 11.09 am before discussing public contract matters.
  Marks the point at which some decisions were made in public, rather than behind closed doors.
• Land disposal near 19 Alesana Drive, Bellbird Park
  An excerpt notes disposal of land to road for a nominal fee of $5,000 excluding GST, connected to freehold land in trust under instrument B at 19 Alesana Drive.
  May affect local land tenure and road dedication arrangements in Bellbird Park.

Impacts

• Potential change to local land and infrastructure arrangements at Willowbank and Bellbird Park.
• Council spending commitments increased for electricity procurement and vehicle maintenance.
• Waste collection service reliability may improve through continued fleet servicing.
• Electricity works associated with the Ipswich Motorsport Precinct may proceed.

Places

• Willowbank (locality)
  Site of the Energex easement and Ipswich Motorsport Precinct electricity works.
• Ipswich Motorsport Precinct (facility/project area)
  Area where a padmount transformer is to be installed and maintained.
• 133 Champions Way (road address)
  Location of the land subject to the proposed electricity easement.
• Bellbird Park (suburb)
  Location mentioned in the land disposal to road excerpt.
• 19 Alesana Drive (road address)
  Address linked to the land disposal excerpt.

Next

• CEO to negotiate and finalise easement terms with Energex Limited
  After council approval
• Council to proceed with electricity procurement under Local Buy arrangement LB333
  For the period 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
• Council to implement the increased Volvo servicing contract value and extended expiry
  Following approval

Extract

17 MARCH 2026 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE NO. 2026(02)] of 10 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE NO. 2026(02) 17 MARCH 2026 REPORT COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE: Councillor Paul Tully (Chairperson); Councillors Jacob Madsen, Mayor Teresa Harding, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic, Marnie Doyle, Andrew Antoniolli, Jim Madden and Pye Augustine (Observer) and David Martin (Observer) COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES: Nil OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Corporate Services (Matt Smith), General Manager Asset and Infrastructure Services (Seren McKenzie), Manager Procurement (Tanya Houwen), Chief Financial Officer (Christina Binoya), Treasury Accounting Manager (Paul Mollen...