Gold Coast sponsorships of $100,000 or more face Council approval if unbudgeted A revised policy adopted by Council sets conditions for outgoing sponsorships and restricts arrangements with tobacco and vaping manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers, and political parties. Council: City of Gold Coast Meeting: 14 July 2026 Recorded status: approved BRIEF Gold Coast Council has adopted a revised Sponsorship Policy requiring Council approval for outgoing sponsorships of $100,000 or more that were not included in annual or quarterly budgets. The policy sets public-interest, documentation and value-for-money requirements, restricts arrangements with specified entities and requires an annual report to the Governance and Finance Committee. KEY FACTS - The revised Sponsorship Policy was included in the policy package recommended by the Governance, Administration and Finance Committee on 14 July 2026 and adopted by Council on 28 July 2026. - Outgoing sponsorships of $100,000 or more not provided for in annual or quarterly budget processes must be approved by Council. - Public-money sponsorship must be reasonable, connected to official Council business, in the public interest and properly documented. - The policy excludes the Community Grants Program and advertising spending. - An annual report on all sponsorship activities is to be provided to the Governance and Finance Committee. ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD - The record establishes the approval threshold and policy requirements, but does not identify any current or proposed sponsorship that meets the threshold. - The annual reporting requirement is stated, but the supplied record does not give a first-report date or publication process. QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING - How many current or proposed outgoing sponsorships would meet the $100,000 unbudgeted threshold? - When will the first annual report on sponsorship activities be provided to the Governance and Finance Committee? - What assessment process will be used to apply the policy's risk, community-benefit and value-for-money criteria? RECORDED NEXT STEPS - Provide an annual report outlining all sponsorship activities to the Governance and Finance Committee. SOURCE PASSAGES The committee recommended adoption of the revised Sponsorship Policy as part of a broader policy package. "3 That Council adopt the following revised policies: a Assistance Policy (Attachment 4). b Infrastructure Charges Deferral and Development Application Fee Discount Policy (Attachment 6). c Complaints about the Public Official (CEO) Policy (Attachment 8). d Sponsorship Policy (Amended Attachment 11). 4 That Council adopt a new Data Breach Policy (Attachment 15). 5 That Council adopts the revised Controlled Entities Policy (Attachment 14). 6 That Council note that any current policies or procedures replaced by the adoption of revised policies and procedures will be retired. CARRIED Attachments (Tabled) 1 Updated Sponsorship Policy ADOPTED AT COUNCIL 28 JULY 2026 RESOLUTION G26.0728.028 Moved: Cr B Patterson Seconded: Cr J Martin That Committee Recommendation GAF26.0714.003 be adopted." (Item 6.1, recommendation GAF26.0714.003) Council adopted Committee Recommendation GAF26.0714.003 unanimously on 28 July 2026. "6 That Council note that any current policies or procedures replaced by the adoption of revised policies and procedures will be retired. CARRIED Attachments (Tabled) 1 Updated Sponsorship Policy ADOPTED AT COUNCIL 28 JULY 2026 RESOLUTION G26.0728.028 Moved: Cr B Patterson Seconded: Cr J Martin That Committee Recommendation GAF26.0714.003 be adopted. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Cr M Hammel joined the meeting at 1:57pm 6.2 POLICY REVIEW PROJECT CLOSE OUT REPORT A119900468 FA5474956 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION GAF26.0714.004 Moved: Cr B Patterson Seconded: Cr J Martin It is recommended that Council resolves as follows: 1 That Council receives and notes the Policy Review Project Close Out Report." (Item 6.1, resolution G26.0728.028 and its voting outcome) The policy requires Council approval for outgoing sponsorships of $100,000 or more that were not provided for in annual or quarterly budget processes. "comply with related policies e. approved in Council's annual budget. 2. Any outgoing sponsorships not provided for in annual or quarterly budget processes, and costing $100,000 or more, must be approved by Council." (Sponsorship Policy, clause 2) Sponsorship activities must contribute to the City of Gold Coast Council Plan, and public expenditure on sponsorship must be reasonable, connected to official Council business, incurred in providing a service in the public interest, properly documented and available for internal and external scrutiny. "Policy statement 1. Sponsorship activities must contribute to the achievement of the City of Gold Coast Council Plan and the expenditure of public monies for sponsorship activities must be: a. reasonable and connected to official Council business b. incurred in providing a service in the public interest c. properly documented and available for internal and external scrutiny d." (Sponsorship Policy, clause 1) Sponsorship decisions must consider Council's risk appetite and reputation, community benefit and value for money. "4. Sponsorship decisions must consider: a. Council's risk appetite b. Council's reputation c. community benefit and d. value for money. 5. Outgoing sponsorship funds are provided in accordance with criteria suitable for the activity including: a." (Sponsorship Policy, clause 4) Sponsorship activities are agreed in writing. "Sponsorship activities are agreed in writing and may provide the sponsored entity with any or all of: a. joint presenting and supporting rights b. temporary name association rights c." (Sponsorship Policy, clause 7) Sponsorship arrangements must include reporting requirements for both parties. "9. Sponsorship arrangements must observe the following standards: a. use standardised terms and conditions in Council's written agreement where relevant b. be workable, relevant and practical for both parties c. include the ability to terminate if sponsorship and regulatory interests conflict d. be proactive and responsive to the needs of both parties e. include reporting requirements for both parties." (Sponsorship Policy, clause 9) Council may accept incoming sponsorship when it can be demonstrated to meet any of the stated principles: increasing the value of Council activities, enhancing community benefit and experience, enhancing economic benefit to the community, developing positive collaboration and support for local businesses, delivering value for money or positively supporting Council's reputation. "fairness and equity in the decision-making process b. accountability and transparency c. activities benefit the community. 6. Council may accept incoming sponsorship when it can be demonstrated that it meets any of the following principles: a. increase the value of Council activities b. enhance community benefit and experience c. enhance economic benefit to the community d. develop positive collaboration and support for local businesses e. deliver value for money f. positively support Council's reputation. 869 Meeting of the Governance, Administration and Finance Committee Minute Item Attachments Page 4 Item 6.1 Attachment 1 Tuesday, 14 July 2026 Printed copies are uncontrolled." (Sponsorship Policy, clause 6) SOURCES https://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/pdfs/minutes-amp-agendas/869-governance-administration-and-finance-committee-14-july-2026-confirmed-minutes-and-attachment.pdf https://minutesradar.com/news/gold-coast-opencities-governance-administration-finance-ga-f-14-july-2026-14-july-2026-01-30-pm-minutes-gold-coast-sponsorships-of-100-000-d3f9327f2d/ Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.