Category Archives: Meetings and policies

Public attendance at General Council Meetings suspended due to COVID-19


April 27, 2020

Redland City Council’s General Meetings are closed to the public until further notice.

As a result, no Public Participation sessions will be possible at this time.

This decision  has been made due to the social distancing measures required to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Members of the media reporting on Council’s General Meetings are permitted to attend the meetings, as in such cases the venue is considered to be their workplace.

General Meetings will continue to be recorded.

Every attempt will be made to make this video available on Council’s website by close of business on the day the meeting took place.

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Redland City Council Annual Report tells of positive performance


November 6, 2019

Redland City Council today endorsed its Annual Report 2018 – 2019, highlighting positive financial and operational results and Council’s significant activities for the year.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the report showed Council’s continued financial sustainability and also outlined where the money goes, with a 100 per cent delivery of its Operational Plan 2018 – 2019.

“Each year, our Operational Plan sets significant activities to help us achieve our community commitments outlined in the Corporate Plan 2018 – 2023,” Cr Williams said.

“Today Council proudly presented an Annual Report that showed delivery of all 70 significant activities across our eight Vision Outcomes.

““Our Community Financial Report and externally-audited Consolidated Financial Statements present good news, with our current position providing stability for long-term financial strategies and meeting our future obligations.

Mayor Williams said the report also shared some business innovations that had resulted in significant operational cost savings in the 2018 – 2019 financial year.

“It is important that the Redlands Coast community has confidence in our performance in managing an asset portfolio with a replacement value of $3.7 billion on their behalf.

“Continuous improvement can be seen in action through Business Transformation Program case studies, with an additional $2 million of infrastructure delivered on top of our budgeted commitments.

“The annual report also includes some of the challenges faced in 2018 – 2019, to give our stakeholders and customers an understanding of current regional and local issues that impact Redlands Coast.

“There are also detailed sections providing transparency in reporting of our governance mechanisms and statutory disclosures.”

View the Redland City Council Annual Report 2018 – 2019 

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Amity Point to host Council NSI update in September


August 30, 2019

Redland City Council is inviting North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) residents and visitors to drop into Amity Point Hall on Saturday 14 September for updates on a range of Council projects.

Mayor Karen Williams said the North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) Community Open House, from 10am – 12 noon, would be an opportunity for members of the public to learn more about some of Council’s key island priorities.

“North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) is undergoing significant transition and this event is part of our commitment to keep in touch with island residents about Council’s role and ensure they’re informed,” she said.

“The open house is designed for people to drop in, stroll through information stations and speak to our officers.

“Council will have information stations on topics such as water and waste, disaster management, open space planning, Amity Point Shoreline Erosion Management Planning and others.

“I will be attending, along with Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell and other senior Council officers, so we can meet and speak with residents.

“Recognising we are only one of many agencies with tenure on the Island, in addition to information on projects and services under Council responsibility, we have also invited other government and community stakeholders and Members of Parliament to participate.”

Cr Mitchell said taking project updates to the island was an important tool in connecting Council and community.

“As the island continues to transition towards the end of mining in late 2019, this is another way of keeping the avenues of communication open,” he said.

Event details

North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) Community Open House
Date: Saturday, 14 September 2019
Time: Drop in any time from 10am to noon
Location: Amity Point Community Hall, Ballow Street, Amity Point (Pulan)

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Council to speak up at 123rd LGAQ Conference


July 31, 2019

Redland City Council will use October’s Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) conference to join with Queensland councils to lobby the State Government on several key issues:

  • Allowing Councils to raise more infrastructure funding by reviewing the existing State imposed infrastructure cap.
  • Delivering better managed and coordinated State
  • Providing greater certainty for the community in the Queensland planning framework.
  • Reinvesting the State Government Waste Levy back into the Queensland environment.
  • Transport hub infrastructure.
  • Assistance for drought affected Queensland areas.

Mayor Karen Williams said the motions, which were supported unanimously at today’s general meeting, would now be tabled at the LGAQ’s 123rd annual conference in Cairns, 14 – 16 October 2019.

“Our residents tell us they want infrastructure to keep up with growth and so we will be tabling two motions asking for the State to do just that,” she said.

“The first motion will call on the LGAQ to lobby the State Government to implement longer term infrastructure plans that provide greater certainty for our community.

“Currently the State Infrastructure Plan uses a two tier timeline of 1-4 year projects and 5-15 year opportunities, which aren’t long enough, meaning they don’t align with State Government growth targets nor the State’s  South East Queensland Regional Plan, which spans a 25 year period.

“Our community wants certainty, so it makes sense for the State’s Infrastructure Plan to be longer term so Councils can use them to plan local infrastructure and to give the community certainty in regards to what will be delivered.”

Cr Williams said a second motion would call on the State Government to review their infrastructure caps and introduce their own mechanism to collect infrastructure charges from developers.

“Currently the State Government caps what infrastructure charges Councils can collect from developers, resulting in a funding gap that our community ends up funding.

“If the State Government listens to our motion by removing these caps it will allow Councils to collect infrastructure charges based on the impacts the development will have on local infrastructure, meaning the infrastructure is then funded by the private development industry rather than the community.”

Cr Williams said Council would also ask the State to commit to developing a more prescriptive planning framework to give the community certainty about what will be built.

“The current ‘performance based’ system allows too much flexibility for the development industry, creating confusion for the community,” she said.

“This motion calls on the State to create a black and white system that makes it clear to residents what can and can’t be built in their neighbourhoods.

“Continuing the infrastructure trend, a motion will also be put forward asking the State Government for increased infrastructure, including car parking, at Queensland railway stations.

“We need to encourage people to use public transport, so there must be an increase in infrastructure, such as car parking and station amenities, to encourage people to use trains more and to get parked cars away from what were once quiet, suburban streets.”

Cr Williams said Council would also ask the State to commit to reinvesting the State Government Waste Levy back into the Queensland environment.

“Currently the State expects 70 per cent of the funds raised through the levy will benefit industry programs, environmental initiatives and advanced payments to councils to help offset the costs for Queensland households,” she said.

“This should be 100 per cent.

“There is currently no commitment beyond 2022 and we are asking that local communities be given long term assurance that the environment will continue to benefit from the funds raised and that people will not be left out of pocket by this levy.”

Council will also put forward a motion calling for more assistance for drought affected Queensland areas.

Cr Williams and Division 2 Councillor Peter Mitchell will be Council’s official delegates at the conference, which will bring together delegates from all tiers of government, external stakeholders and the media to consider the challenges facing local governments and their communities.

Other Councillors are able to attend as observers.

 

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Redland City Council takes next reconciliation step


July 31, 2019

Redland City Council today endorsed its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), an internal document formalising its organisational vision for reconciliation, and a set of principles and actions for the next two years.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the adoption of Kanara Malara – One People 2019 – 2021, Internal Redland City Council Reconciliation Action Plan, was a milestone for the organisation.

“The name Kanara Malara takes its inspiration from a painting of the same name created by Quandamooka artist Joshua Walker to reflect Council’s reconciliation journey,” Cr Williams said.

“The plan is a first but important step in formalising our organisation’s internal reconciliation activities.

“It acknowledges that while there have been significant achievements and partnerships with the First Peoples of this nation, there are actions we can take that will put us on the path to externally-focused RAPs in the future that will promote reconciliation in the wider community.”

“We hope that through this and future RAPs, Redland City Council will continue to develop a culture of inclusiveness and celebration across Redlands Coast.”

“It has been created by our Reconciliation Action Plan Steering Committee, employees from diverse work areas and backgrounds, who have shown outstanding commitment to reconciliation in our organisation.

“Through their work, it was realised we needed a set of actions focused on increasing knowledge of our shared history and current issues.”

Redland City Council Chief Executive Officer Andrew Chesterman said building an inclusive culture was at the core of successful, modern organisations.

“I am proud to lead an organisation that recognises the importance of implementing practical actions that contribute to reconciliation internally, and ultimately in the community in which we operate,” Mr Chesterman said.

“The Reconciliation Action Plan program is an excellent framework to support reconciliation more broadly.

“Implementing Kanara Malara – One People 2019 – 2021, Internal Redland City Council Reconciliation Action Plan will better equip our employees to build the strong, mutually-beneficial and productive relationships we seek to have with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who live in, work in or visit Redlands Coast on Quandamooka Country.”

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Council security camera policy to include antisocial behaviour


February 21, 2019

Redland City Council has responded to a request from the community to broaden its security camera policy to include the term antisocial behaviour.

Mayor Karen Williams said the term had been added to the policy section that described the cameras’ purpose, with antisocial behaviour defined as: ‘riotous, disorderly, indecent, offensive, threatening or insulting behaviour, as described in Schedule 1, 1(a) of Subordinate Local Law No. 4 (Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads)’.

“Our policy on security cameras recognises that while Council has an important role to play in creating safe communities, primary responsibility for the prevention and prosecution of crime rests with the State Government through Queensland Police Service (QPS),” Cr Williams said.

“The term ‘antisocial behaviour’ is subjective – what may be considered antisocial behaviour to one person may be seen as acceptable to another – so it was necessary for Council to also include a definition of what it means in a local law context and in terms of security camera use on Redlands Coast.

“Under the policy, the cameras’ purpose is to collect evidence to support prosecution for matters related to property crime on Council owned or controlled assets, local law infringements and interactions between the public and Council staff in and around Council buildings.

“Their purpose has not changed and the inclusion of the term ‘antisocial behaviour’ does not mean cameras will be installed everywhere on Redlands Coast.

“Council must still be able to meet the costs of sustainably operating and maintaining the equipment.”

Councillor for Division 1 Wendy Boglary requested the policy amendment in response to continual requests and a petition from residents.

Cr Boglary said she would like to thank Council Officers and Councillors for responding to the request.

“I hope the inclusion and definition of antisocial behaviour will give Council greater powers to work with QPS to respond to community requests,” she said.

“Council draws on QPS crime statistics to determine security camera placement, so it is vital that community members contact the police via the various numbers to report all incidents.

“Council is endeavouring to use all tools available for the safety of our community and this is an extension of our ongoing work.

“Council is currently working on a Memorandum of Understanding with QPS and the State Government that would allow cameras in certain areas to be monitored by State agencies where there are existing arrangements.”

Cr Williams said Council remained committed to referring any complaints about antisocial behaviour, traffic related offences and other criminal activity to QPS for appropriate action.

“I don’t want the community to think that because of this change Council is taking responsibility for crime prevention or community safety, as this remains the jurisdiction of QPS and Council will always work with the police to ensure our community is safe,” she said.

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Redlands Economic Development Advisory Board welcomes transport and planning expert


October 29, 2018

The newest member of Redlands Economic Development Advisory Board (REDAB) is set to share his extensive experience in transport and planning with Redlands Coast.

Warren Rowe was instrumental in developing the light rail project that has improved connectivity and bolstered significant economic and tourism opportunities across the Gold Coast.

Mr Rowe, who recently joined planning firm Ethos Urban as a strategic advisor, is an Adjunct Professor in the Urban Research Program at Griffith University, was appointed as the University of Queensland’s first Planner in Residence, and was recently appointed to the Queensland Government’s Land Supply and Housing Expert Advisory Panel.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Mr Rowe’s expertise was a perfect fit for the challenges and opportunities facing Redlands Coast.

“I firmly believe that improving transport within Redlands Coast and the connectivity we have to the south east Queensland region is a key element to unlocking our economic and tourism potential,” Cr Williams said.

“Residents and the business community have consistently raised transport as an issue, which is why we have made it one of Council’s strategic priorities and continue to advocate for Redlands Coast with other levels of government.

“Mr Rowe’s vast experience in planning and transport across all tiers of government, and his voice in the industry, will add to the already robust and broad ranging expertise of existing REDAB board members.”

The Board members’ expertise span the region’s key industry sectors of construction, education and training, financial and insurance services, health care and social assistance, manufacturing, retail trade, rural enterprises and tourism (accommodation and food services).

REDAB Chair Samantha Kennedy thanked Dr John O’Donnell who recently retired from the Board.

“Dr O’Donnell contributed his extensive health care experience in the development of the Redland City Health Care and Social Assistance Industry Sector Plan 2018-2023, which was adopted by Council in in July 2018,” she said.

“As a new Board member, Warren Rowe’s planning and economic development knowledge will be invaluable as we seek to highlight opportunities within the framework of Redlands Coast’s newly adopted City Plan.

“With 17 years of local government experience, Mr Rowe has overseen a significant transport policy and capital works program, and implemented numerous programs to improve city planning frameworks.”

Mr Rowe attended his first Board meeting on Thursday 18 October 2018 and said he looked forward to working with REDAB and Council.

“Redlands Coast – with its naturally wonderful setting, coupled with close proximity to the Greater Brisbane region – is poised for great things and I’m looking forward to playing a guiding role through the Board,” he said.

Redlands Economic Development Advisory Board welcomed transport and planning expert Mr Warren Rowe for his first Board meeting on 18 October 2018.

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Public notice: Adoption of the Redland City Plan Planning Scheme Policies


October 8, 2018

Notice [PDF, 0.2MB] is given in accordance with the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 that, on 22 August 2018, Redland City Council adopted the following new Planning Scheme Policies (PSPs):

  • PSP1 – Environmental Significance
  • PSP2 – Infrastructure Works
  • PSP3 – Flood and Storm Tide Hazard
  • PSP4 – Landslide Hazard
  • PSP5 – Structure Plans
  • PSP6 – Environmental Emissions

The Redland City Plan Planning Scheme Policies apply to the Redland City Council local government area and will have effect on and from 8 October 2018. The general purpose of the Planning Scheme Policies is to support the Redland City Plan; the Planning Scheme Policies include information, standards, and guidelines.

The Redland City Plan Planning Scheme Policies can be viewed online at www.redland.qld.gov.au/cityplan and are available for inspection or purchase at Council’s Customer Service Centre located on the corner of Bloomfield and Middle Streets, Cleveland.

For more information, contact Council’s customer service centre on (07) 3829 8999.

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Get filming ‘Get Ready’ for great prizes


September 6, 2018

An Apple iPad Pro or a GoPro HERO6 are up for grabs as part of Redland City Council’s new ‘Get Ready’ youth video competition.

Redland City Mayor and Local Disaster Management Group chair Karen Williams said the competition aimed to involve young people of Redlands Coast with community messaging around storm and bushfire season preparedness.

“Each year, we run an extensive campaign to remind residents about the need to be prepared for natural emergencies, which, as recent years have shown, present real risks to our community,” Cr Williams said.

“This year for the first time, we are getting our young people involved and running a competition calling for 90-second videos promoting key disaster preparedness messages.

“Our hope is that we will be able to work with winning entries to create a final video for release in ‘Get Ready’ week in October.

“While it is a youth-focused competition, we encourage team efforts and the help of parents, teachers and other budding filmmakers in creating entries.

“We’d love to see some family and school entries, again giving the wider community an opportunity to devise new and engaging ways to share the ‘Get Ready’ message.

“There are great prizes on offer for the winning entries, so I encourage people to head to Council’s Your Say Redlands website to find out how to get involved.”

Videos must include four key disaster management messages: preparing your home, the need for a household emergency plan and emergency kit, getting to know your neighbours and how to be informed.

Entry is open to Redlands Coast residents of all ages, but at least one person under 18 years and a local landmark or icon should feature in the video.

The winning video may be used to promote ‘Get Ready’ community messages through a range of channels during storm and bushfire season.

Entries close 30 September 2018.  For details, including full terms and conditions, visit www.redland.qld.gov.au/getreadycompetition

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Council sets out on Redlands Coast transport journey


September 5, 2018

How residents travel around the Redlands Coast was at the centre of two decisions made by Redland City Council in today’s General Meeting.

The first decision saw Councillors endorse the Draft Redlands Coast Transport strategy for community engagement, while councillors also unanimously supported a Mayoral Minute for Council to make a submission to a State Government inquiry into the future of transport technology.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the endorsement of the Draft Redlands Coast Transport Strategy would give residents the opportunity to have their say on the future direction of transport planning on Redlands Coast.

“Transport, both road and public transport infrastructure, is undoubtedly one of the most consistent topics of conversation in our community, which is why Council identified an updated transport strategy as one of our key priorities,” she said.

“In 2015 we held a series of transport forums across the city and this draft strategy is informed by those forums, as well as engagement with key transport organisations and providers.

“Our community has told us they want to be able to get around the city faster and safer and want to see the major roads in and out of the city upgraded along with key public transport infrastructure such as the Cleveland Rail line.”

Cr Williams said an important next step of the strategy was hearing from residents, businesses, schools and transport partners on what transport issues were important to them.

“As part of the consultation process we will ask residents what they think our priorities should be to help guide delivery of Council’s transport initiatives and advocacy to state and federal governments, transport providers and neighbouring local governments.

“State and federal MPs will also be engaged directly, and information will be provided to raise community awareness about the transport network and which level of government was responsible for which transport corridor and service.

“Our journey to a more effective and efficient transport network is just starting. This won’t be completed overnight, nor can Council take this journey alone.

“The State Government is responsible for many of the major transport opportunities across Redlands Coast, including the majority of roads in and out of the Coast, public transport and rail.

“This is why a key part of this strategy will be to advocate to other levels of government and encourage them to prioritise the projects, road upgrades and public transport services our community needs.”

“The Redlands Coast Transport Strategy will be followed by a series of implementation plans, which is where the rubber hits the road through the identification of on the ground priorities and projects our residents will see in their neighborhoods and along their daily commute.”

Cr Williams said Council would make the case for better transport technology to meet local challenges as part of their submission to the State Government Transport and Public Works Committee inquiry into Transport Technology.

“The Redlands Coast has some unique transport challenges and our submission will encourage the State Government to remove some of the existing barriers to the technology that may meet these challenges,” she said.

“An example of these technologies is Autonomous Vehicles, and we have been trying to encourage the State Government to trial these vehicles on our island communities.

“We will also use our submission to highlight the transport challenges and increased transport costs for our island communities, as well as the challenges our island based residents face in accessing employment and social services.”

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