Council - 14 Oct 2026

Topics

• Council orders immediate efficiency drive as cost pressures mount
  Council has authorised its CEO to pursue immediate cost reductions, productivity gains and structural efficiencies before the 2027–2028 budget is prepared.
  The program could change how residents access services and how Council controls expenditure, while material service reductions or new funding still require approval.
• Animal-law changes open for 28-day public consultation
  Residents will be able to comment on proposed amendments to Redland’s animal-management laws, including possible new dog off-leash areas on three islands.
  The changes could affect animal owners, dog access to public spaces and local enforcement rules.
• Thornlands flooding report to examine development and drainage impacts
  Council will investigate ongoing flooding around Beveridge Road, including the cumulative impact of existing and approved development and options for drainage upgrades.
  The report is intended to address inundation of homes, roads and surrounding land and may identify costly future mitigation works.

Decisions

• Efficiency measures authorised
  The Chief Executive Officer was authorised to identify and progress practical opportunities to improve customer service, reduce operating costs, increase productivity and improve organisational efficiency within existing delegations and approved budgets. An initial update is to be provided at a Councillor Briefing Workshop, with later reporting through established budget and governance processes.
  The work is intended to contain Council costs and improve customer pathways while considering cost-of-living pressures and protecting essential services.
• September 2026 financial results noted
  Council noted the financial position and results for September 2026. Council reported an operating surplus of $16.5 million year to date, $5.1 million better than budget, and cash and investments of $322.6 million at the end of September. The Asset Sustainability Ratio was below target for the month, while other listed financial sustainability ratios were at or above target.
  The report provides residents with an update on Council’s financial capacity, operating performance and asset-renewal position.
• Annual and audited financial reporting adopted or noted
  Council adopted the 2025–2026 Annual Report for publication, noted the Community Financial Report for inclusion in that report, and noted the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2026. Council also adopted the Audit and Risk Management Committee minutes from 1 and 9 October 2026.
  These documents provide public information about Council’s financial performance, governance, risks and accountability.
• Animal-management law consultation approved
  Council approved a 28-day community consultation on proposed amendments to four animal-management and animal-keeping local laws. It also agreed to investigate and consult on possible additional dog off-leash areas at Russell Island, Karragarra Island and Macleay Island.
  Residents can comment on proposed animal rules and possible future off-leash locations before any final local-law changes are made.
• Infrastructure charges resolution amended
  Council proposed amendments to its Adopted Infrastructure Charges Resolution No. 3.5 of 2026. The changes update references to State-prescribed maximum charges, replace fixed dollar amounts with percentage distributions across infrastructure networks, remove an obsolete discount and improve public transparency without changing Council’s charging policy framework.
  The changes affect how development infrastructure charges are presented and explained, including charges relating to water, sewerage, transport, parks, community facilities and stormwater infrastructure.
• Petitions referred for operational consideration
  A petition about speeding traffic on Freeth Street West, Ormiston, and a petition seeking traffic-safety improvements at South Street, Hayes Street and the Tarina Street roundabout in Thornlands were received and referred to the Chief Executive Officer.
  Council officers are to consider the reported road-safety concerns and determine any operational response or further advice.
• 2027 Council meeting schedule adopted
  Council adopted the Redland City Council Meeting Schedule for 2027.
  The schedule enables residents and community groups to plan for public Council meetings and participation opportunities.

Discussion

• Cleveland Town Centre Revitalisation Project
  Council endorsed the project budget for Phases 1 to 6 and authorised the project to progress through the relevant governance arrangements, including consultant sourcing subject to Project Steering Committee endorsement and independent probity oversight. A preferred development partner recommendation is to return to a future General Meeting.
  The project may influence Cleveland’s town-centre development, investment, public realm and future commercial activity.
• Birkdale Community Precinct and land acquisition
  Outstanding matters included planning, financial viability, legacy planning and delivery questions for the Birkdale Community Precinct, as well as a proposed acquisition of land in Birkdale. Further reports are to return to Council.
  Future decisions may affect public land, environmental and heritage values, Olympic-related planning and long-term community use in Birkdale.
• Water-service customer experience
  A future report is to address intermittent water-pressure interruptions affecting properties in high-level pressure zones around Mount Cotton Road, Ney Road, School Road and Howlett Road, including consideration of a possible pricing concession if service issues cannot be remedied.
  Affected customers may receive clearer recognition of service impacts and information about any future concession pathway.
• Beveridge Road flooding and drainage
  A future report is required on flooding and drainage impacts affecting Beveridge Road, Thornlands. It is to assess development impacts, infrastructure deficiencies, mitigation options, costs, timeframes and consultation with affected residents and property owners.
  Residents and road users may receive options for reducing inundation and improving drainage in the Beveridge Road catchment.
• Financial risk and audit oversight
  The Audit and Risk Management Committee reported that Council’s overall risk environment remained manageable but elevated, with continuing focus on cyber security, supply-chain and cost pressures, infrastructure delivery and overdue audit recommendations.
  The issues relate to the security, resilience and financial stewardship of Council services and assets.

Impacts

• Residents may provide submissions during the 28-day consultation on proposed animal-management and animal-keeping law amendments.
• Possible additional dog off-leash areas are to be investigated at Russell Island, Karragarra Island and Macleay Island.
• Traffic concerns at Freeth Street West, Ormiston, and the South Street, Hayes Street and Tarina Street roundabout area in Thornlands have been referred for operational consideration.
• Further investigation is planned into intermittent water pressure affecting properties around Mount Cotton Road, Ney Road, School Road and Howlett Road.
• A future report will address flooding and drainage problems affecting Beveridge Road, Thornlands.
• Council’s efficiency program may change internal structures or service processes, but material service-level changes or additional funding require further approval.

Places

• Cleveland (town centre)
  Location of the Cleveland Town Centre Revitalisation Project.
• Birkdale (suburb and project area)
  Location of the Birkdale Community Precinct and proposed land acquisition.
• Freeth Street West, Ormiston (road)
  Subject of a speeding-traffic petition.
• South Street, Hayes Street and Tarina Street roundabout, Thornlands (roads and intersection)
  Subject of a traffic-safety petition.
• Beveridge Road, Thornlands (road and catchment)
  Subject of a future flooding and drainage assessment.
• Russell Island (island locality)
  Possible additional designated dog off-leash area.
• Karragarra Island (island locality)
  Possible additional designated dog off-leash area and confidential lease matter.
• Macleay Island (island locality)
  Possible additional designated dog off-leash area near the jetty.

Next

• Conduct a 28-day consultation on the proposed animal-management and animal-keeping local-law amendments.
  Following the 14 October 2026 decision.
• Investigate and consult on possible dog off-leash areas at Russell Island, Karragarra Island and Macleay Island.
  As part of the animal-management consultation and follow-up process.
• Provide an initial update on efficiency opportunities, actions, benefits and risks at a Councillor Briefing Workshop.
  Future briefing; subsequent reporting through budget, service-review and governance processes.
• Bring a preferred development-partner recommendation for the Cleveland Town Centre Revitalisation Project to Council.
  Future General Meeting.
• Return reports on Birkdale land acquisition and the Birkdale Community Precinct.
  Future Council meetings.
• Prepare a report on intermittent water pressure and possible customer concessions.
  Future Council meeting.
• Prepare a report on Beveridge Road flooding and drainage, including resident consultation, options, costs and timeframes.
  Future Council meeting.

Extract

U N C O N F I R M E D M I N U T E S GENERAL MEETING Wednesday, 14 October 2026 The Council Chambers 91 - 93 Bloomfield Street CLEVELAND QLD GENERAL MEETING MINUTES 14 OCTOBER 2026 Order of Business 1 Declaration of Opening ...................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements ................................................................... 5 2 Record of Attendance and Leave of Absence ...................................................................... 6 3 Devotional Segment .......................................................................................................... 7 4 Recogniti...