Finance and Governance Committee - 19 May 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 approves Urban Utilities easements for Basin Pocket and Rosewood
  Council cleared land disposal steps for sewerage and water easements tied to utility upgrades and new residential servicing.
  Residents could see further utility works and development servicing in two growing suburbs.
• Goodna embankment repair cost blows past contingency
  Council formally noted that Marie Street bank stabilisation works in Goodna exceeded approved contingency, pushing the contract value far above the original budget.
  It signals budget pressure on storm-affected infrastructure projects and possible scrutiny of project delivery costs.
• Council locks in 2026-27 fees and charges from 1 July
  The annual fees and charges schedule was adopted, setting the prices for a wide range of council services from the start of the new financial year.
  This can affect household and business costs across council services and permits.

Decisions

• Urban Utilities easement - 214 Chermside Road, Basin Pocket
  Council resolved that the statutory exemption applied to disposal of part of the land by easement for sewerage purposes, and delegated authority to the CEO to negotiate and finalise the easement terms.
  Enables upgraded sewer infrastructure linked to the Chermside Road Pump Station and Bundamba Sewerage Treatment Plant.
• Urban Utilities easements - 49 Lacewing Street, Rosewood
  Council resolved that the statutory exemption applied to disposal of interests in part of the land by two easements for water and sewerage purposes, and delegated authority to the CEO to negotiate and finalise the easement terms.
  Supports water and sewer connections for nearby residential development in Rosewood.
• Marie Street, Goodna bank stabilisation - increased expenditure noted
  Council noted that Contract 5326 exceeded its approved contingency, with total contingency expenditure reaching $1,098,225.39 ex GST and a total contract value of $2,243,108.89 ex GST; the CEO was also delegated authority for contractual action.
  Confirms major extra spend on embankment stabilisation works after unplanned impacts, including Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
• Objective EDRMS and Connect tender
  Council awarded Tender No. 260115-000777 to Objective Corporation Limited, approved a contractual arrangement on confidential commercial terms, and delegated contractual implementation powers to the CEO.
  Continues council’s electronic records management and document exchange systems.
• Standing and Advisory Committee Terms of Reference updated
  The revised Ipswich City Council Standing and Advisory Committee Terms of Reference were adopted, incorporating amendments arising from the Multicultural Advisory Committee review.
  Changes how council advisory and standing committees operate, including multicultural advisory arrangements.
• 2026-2027 Fees and Charges adopted
  Council adopted the proposed 2026-2027 fees and charges, including fee policies, with effect from 1 July 2026, excluding certain licences and services already adopted on 17 March 2026.
  Affects the cost of council services, permits and commercial/cost recovery charges for residents and businesses.

Discussion

• Sewerage infrastructure easement at Basin Pocket
  The report related to disposal of council land to allow an easement for Urban Utilities infrastructure at 214 Chermside Road to support sewer upgrades.
  Relevant to local sewer capacity and maintenance in Basin Pocket.
• Water and sewer easements at Rosewood
  Two easements were approved in principle for land at 49 Lacewing Street to service an approved residential development at 126 Nielsen Road.
  Important for infrastructure servicing growth in Rosewood.
• Cost overruns on Goodna embankment works
  Council recorded that the Marie Street stabilisation contract significantly exceeded contingency due to unplanned works and delays linked to Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
  Shows pressure on capital works budgets and recovery-related repair costs in Goodna.
• Procurement of records management system
  Council approved a new arrangement with Objective Corporation Limited for EDRMS and Objective Connect.
  Affects internal council administration and digital records systems.
• Fees and charges for 2026-27
  The annual fees and charges review was adopted for implementation from 1 July 2026.
  May change what residents, ratepayers and businesses pay for council services.

Impacts

• Potential sewerage and water infrastructure works in Basin Pocket and Rosewood.
• Residential development servicing in Rosewood may progress with new utility easements.
• Additional council expenditure on Goodna stabilisation works was formally noted after storm-related impacts.
• Council service fees and charges will change from 1 July 2026.

Places

• Basin Pocket (suburb)
  Location of the Chermside Road land parcel proposed for a sewerage easement.
• 214 Chermside Road (road/property address)
  Council land subject to the Urban Utilities sewerage easement proposal.
• Rosewood (suburb)
  Location of the Lacewing Street easements for water and sewerage purposes.
• 49 Lacewing Street (road/property address)
  Council land subject to two easements for Urban Utilities.
• 126 Nielsen Road (road/property address)
  Adjoining approved residential development to be serviced by the Rosewood easements.
• Goodna (suburb)
  Location of Marie Street embankment stabilisation works with increased expenditure.
• Marie Street (road)
  Site of the bank stabilisation contract in Goodna.

Next

• CEO to negotiate and finalise the Urban Utilities easement terms for Basin Pocket
  Following council resolution
• CEO to negotiate and finalise the Urban Utilities easement terms for Rosewood
  Following council resolution
• CEO to implement the Objective Corporation contract
  After tender award
• 2026-2027 fees and charges to take effect
  1 July 2026
• Refer Council Ordinary Meeting of 28 May 2026 for amendment note
  Per minutes

Extract

19 MAY 2026 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE NO. 2026(04)] of 10 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE NO. 2026(04) 19 MAY 2026 REPORT COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE: Councillor Paul Tully (Chairperson); Councillors Jacob Madsen (via audio-link), Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic, Marnie Doyle, Andrew Antoniolli (via audio-link), Jim Madden and Councillors Pye Augustine (Observer) and David Martin (Observer) COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES: Mayor Teresa Harding OFFICERS’ ATTENDANCE Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Corporate Services (Matt Smith), General Manager Asset and Infrastructure Services (Seren McKenzie), General Manager Planning and Regulatory Services (Brett Davey), Manager Procurement...