Ordinary Meeting - Thu, 17 Sep 2026 9:00am

Topics

• Sunshine Coast adopts first 2026–27 budget review with capital works changes
  Council has adopted its first amended 2026–27 budget, including changes to the Minor Capital Works Program and capital works deferrals.
  The decision may alter project timing and Council’s financial outlook, while the available extract does not state the precise resident cost impact.
• Sunshine Coast approves year-long compliance inspection program for regulated dogs
  Council will inspect properties across the region where its register shows a regulated dog is being kept.
  Regulated-dog owners face a defined 12-month compliance program under state legislation.
• New council guide aims to improve flood and coastal resilience in home design
  Council has endorsed publication of a guide for owners and designers of houses and dual occupancies.
  The guide could influence how future residential projects address flooding and coastal hazards.

Decisions

• Budget Review 1 2026–27 adopted
  Council received the first budget review and adopted the amended 2026–27 budget financial statements, including amendments to the Minor Capital Works Program and associated capital works deferrals. The amended budget includes updated financial statements, a capital works program, a 10-year long-term financial forecast, financial sustainability measures, the amended Debt Policy, revenue and levy policies, rates and charges documentation, and the Prescribed Services Charge Plan No. 4 for 2026–27. The vote was carried 7–2.
  The amended budget may affect Council spending priorities, capital works timing, financial sustainability and the rates, charges and levies applying during 2026–27.
• Regulated-dog inspection program approved
  Council approved a compliance inspection program for premises across the Sunshine Coast local government area where the Regulated Dog Register indicates that a regulated dog is kept. The program will run from 14 November 2026 to 13 November 2027 under the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.
  Owners of regulated dogs may be subject to compliance inspections during the approved 12-month program.
• Flooding and Coastal Resilience Design Guide endorsed
  Council endorsed publication and promotion of the Flooding and Coastal Resilience Design Guide for owners and designers of dwelling houses and dual occupancies.
  The guide provides information intended to help property owners and designers address flooding and coastal-resilience considerations in residential development.
• 2027 Los Angeles County delegation approved
  Council approved the Deputy Mayor’s overseas travel from 21 to 28 February 2027 to participate in the Council of Mayors South East Queensland Brisbane-Region Civic and Economic Delegation to Los Angeles County. The delegation’s participating directors’ flights, accommodation and associated travel costs will be funded through the Council of Mayors South East Queensland operational budget for 2026–27. A post-delegation report is to be provided to Council.
  The decision supports regional civic and economic engagement, with the stated travel costs funded through the regional Council of Mayors budget rather than a separately identified Sunshine Coast travel allocation.
• Authority delegated to resolve Division 7 planning appeal
  Following a confidential session concerning legal advice and proceedings, Council delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to attempt to settle the Division 7 planning appeal. The motion was carried 8–1.
  The settlement process may determine the outcome of a planning appeal in Division 7, but the public minutes do not disclose the development or proposed settlement terms.

Discussion

• Amended budget, rates and charges framework
  The first 2026–27 budget review was adopted, incorporating amended financial statements, capital works changes, a long-term forecast, debt and financial sustainability measures, and documentation covering rates, utility charges, revenue and strategic levies.
  Residents may be affected by changes to Council’s spending program, capital works timing, rates and utility charges, although no specific percentage or dollar change is provided in the extracted minutes.
• Compliance inspections for regulated dogs
  Council approved area-wide inspections of properties listed on the Regulated Dog Register for the period 14 November 2026 to 13 November 2027.
  Regulated-dog owners should expect possible inspections and must comply with animal-management requirements.
• Residential flood and coastal resilience guidance
  Council endorsed a guide for dwelling houses and dual occupancies and will publish and promote it.
  The guidance is relevant to homeowners, designers and applicants planning residential building or development in areas exposed to flooding or coastal hazards.
• Los Angeles County civic and economic delegation
  The Deputy Mayor was approved to attend a Council of Mayors South East Queensland delegation from 21–28 February 2027, with regional operational funding and a post-delegation report required.
  The delegation is intended to support regional civic and economic engagement; its outcomes will be reported to Council afterwards.
• Division 7 planning appeal
  The Chief Executive Officer was authorised to attempt to settle a confidential planning appeal. The minutes identify the legal basis for confidentiality but provide no public details of the application or appeal issues.
  The eventual settlement or appeal outcome may affect development in Division 7.

Impacts

• The amended 2026–27 budget may change capital works timing and Council’s financial settings, but the extracted minutes do not state an overall rates or utility-charge percentage.
• Properties associated with regulated dogs may be inspected between 14 November 2026 and 13 November 2027.
• Homeowners and designers of houses and dual occupancies can use the newly endorsed flooding and coastal resilience guide.
• The outcome of the confidential Division 7 planning appeal may affect a local development proposal.

Places

• Sunshine Coast local government area (local government area)
  Area covered by the regulated-dog inspection program and Council’s amended 2026–27 budget.
• Division 7 (council division)
  Location of the confidential planning appeal for which settlement authority was delegated.
• Sunshine Coast City Hall Chamber, 54 First Avenue, Maroochydore (civic facility)
  Venue of the council meeting.
• Los Angeles County (regional government area)
  Destination of the approved 2027 civic and economic delegation.

Next

• Publish and promote the Flooding and Coastal Resilience Design Guide.
  Following Council endorsement; exact publication date not stated.
• Conduct compliance inspections at premises identified through the Regulated Dog Register.
  14 November 2026 to 13 November 2027.
• Deputy Mayor to participate in the Council of Mayors South East Queensland delegation to Los Angeles County.
  21–28 February 2027.
• Provide Council with a post-delegation report covering activities, opportunities, lessons and recommended next actions.
  After the delegation; date not stated.
• Chief Executive Officer to attempt to settle the Division 7 planning appeal.
  Future action; timing not stated.

Extract

M i n u t e s Ordinary Meeting Thursday, 17 September 2026 Sunshine Coast City Hall Chamber, 54 First Avenue, Maroochydore ORDINARY MEETING MINUTES 17 SEPTEMBER 2026 Sunshine Coast Regional Council OM Minutes of 16 This is not an official copy of Council’s Minutes TABLE OF CONTENTS ITEM SUBJECT PAGE NO 1 DECLARATION OF OPENING ..................................................................5 2 WELCOME AND OPENING ......................................................................5 3 RECORD OF ATTENDANCE AND LEAVE OF ABSENCE .........................5 4 RECEIPT AND CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES .......................................6 5 MAYORAL MINUTE ............................................