Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee - 11 Aug 2026 9:00 AM

Topics

• Council adopts five-year strategic plan for managing public assets
  Ipswich City Council adopted the Strategic Asset Management Plan 2026–2031, covering four key asset classes.
  The plan will shape how Council manages and prioritises public infrastructure over the next five years.
• Council considers community guide to data-centre planning rules
  Councillors questioned how data-centre applications will address electricity and water demand, with a community fact sheet discussed.
  Data-centre development could create significant local planning and infrastructure concerns, while possible Commonwealth legislative changes may alter the regulatory context.

Decisions

• Strategic Asset Management Plan adopted
  The committee adopted the Strategic Asset Management Plan 2026–2031 and authorised the Chief Executive Officer to make minor administrative updates. Executive summaries for four key asset classes were received and noted.
  The plan sets the strategic direction for managing Council assets and future infrastructure planning.
• Capital delivery report noted
  The committee received and noted the Asset and Infrastructure Services Department capital delivery report for June 2026.
  The report provides an update on Council’s capital works program, although no individual project decision was recorded.
• Planning and delegation reports noted
  The committee received and noted the Exercise of Delegation report covering applications determined between 28 May and 23 July 2026, and the Planning and Environment Court Action status report.
  These reports provide oversight of delegated planning decisions and current development-related court matters.
• Community information on data centres proposed
  Following discussion about planning controls for data centres, including electricity and water use, officers indicated that Commonwealth legislative changes are foreshadowed and that the current planning scheme can consider broader issues. The committee discussed preparing a community fact sheet.
  A future fact sheet could help residents understand how data-centre proposals are assessed and what controls apply.

Discussion

• Strategic asset planning
  Council adopted its Strategic Asset Management Plan 2026–2031 and noted executive summaries covering four key asset classes.
  The plan may influence how Council prioritises, maintains and funds public infrastructure.
• Data-centre planning controls
  Councillors questioned how development applications for data centres address electricity and water consumption, including the interaction with possible Commonwealth legislation.
  Data-centre proposals may have implications for local planning, infrastructure demand and utility use.
• Yamanto development and earthworks
  Councillor Jim Madden asked about development and earthworks at the property on the corner of Warwick Road and Hall Street, Yamanto. No substantive decision or response was included in the extract.
  Residents near the site may want further information about the development activity and applicable approvals.
• WMAC Signals Wulkuraka project costs
  Councillor Jim Madden asked whether the reported cost for the WMAC Signals Wulkuraka project was the completed cost or an estimate. The extract does not include the subsequent confirmation.
  The clarification may affect public understanding of the project’s cost and delivery status.

Impacts

• The Strategic Asset Management Plan 2026–2031 will guide Council’s approach to managing public assets.
• Council may prepare a fact sheet explaining data-centre planning controls and infrastructure considerations.
• No specific new construction, fee, charge or service change was recorded in the extracted material.
• Further information may be needed about the Warwick Road and Hall Street, Yamanto development and the WMAC Signals Wulkuraka cost figures.

Places

• Yamanto (suburb)
  Development and earthworks were queried at the corner of Warwick Road and Hall Street.
• Warwick Road (road)
  Location of the queried development site in Yamanto.
• Hall Street (road)
  Location of the queried development site in Yamanto.
• Wulkuraka (locality)
  Location of the WMAC Signals project referenced in a cost query.

Next

• Chief Executive Officer to make any minor administrative updates required to the Strategic Asset Management Plan 2026–2031.
  As required after adoption.
• Council officers may prepare a fact sheet explaining planning controls and infrastructure considerations for data centres.
  No timeframe specified.
• Clarification may be provided on whether the WMAC Signals Wulkuraka figure is a completed or estimated cost.
  No timeframe specified in the extract.

Extract

11 AUGUST 2026 INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ASSETS COMMITTEE NO. 2026(06)] of 6 INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND ASSETS COMMITTEE NO. 2026(06) 11 AUGUST 2026 REPORT COUNCILLORS’ ATTENDANCE: Councillor Andrew Antoniolli (Chairperson); Councillors Paul Tully (Deputy Chairperson), Mayor Teresa Harding, Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic, Pye Augustine, Marnie Doyle, David Martin and Jim Madden COUNCILLOR’S APOLOGIES: Nil OFFICERS ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive Officer (Sonia Cooper), General Manager Asset and Infrastructure Services (Seren McKenzie), General Manager Corporate Services (Matt Smith), General Manager Community, Cultural and Economic Development (Ben Pole), Acting General Manager Planning and Reg...