11.1 Chief Executive Officer Report – August 2026

The CEO is providing an update on Council’s financial performance, the mayoral by-election, disaster recovery road works, and recent community events including VP Day and the Priors Creek markets and cinema nights.

What is Council deciding?
Council is being asked to receive and note the CEO’s monthly report.

What is the cost?
There are no costs associated with noting the report.

Risks
Approve: There are no risks associated with noting the report.
Do not approve: Council would lose an opportunity to formally acknowledge important organisational and community updates.

What does this mean for the community?
The report keeps residents informed about Council’s financial position, election arrangements, disaster
recovery road works, and recent community events and services.

11.2 Adoption of Subordinate Local Law 8

Council is considering a permanent update to a local law so activities such as food trucks, market stalls and outdoor events can continue to operate at Priors Creek Parklands and the Rail Trail. An interim version of this law has applied since July 2026; no public submissions were received during consultation.

What is Council deciding?
Whether to formally adopt the updated Subordinate Local Law No. 8, which sets the rules for activities at Council-controlled areas including Priors Creek Parklands.

What is the cost?
No direct cost to Council associated with adopting the law.

Risks
Approve: Minimal risk; formalises rules already operating under the interim law and no submissions raised concerns.
Do not approve: The interim law expires on 20 September 2026, which could create uncertainty for activities and events already planned and in process.

What does this mean for the community?
Provides a clear, ongoing legal framework for markets, food vendors and events at Priors Creek Parklands and the Rail Trail.

11.3 Change of Ordinary Council Meeting Date – October 2026

The October Council meeting is scheduled for the same time as the LGAQ Annual Conference in Cairns, which councillors are expected to attend.

What is Council deciding?
Whether to move the October Ordinary Meeting from 22 October to 29 October 2026.

What is the cost?
No cost associated with the date change.

Risks
Approve: Minimal risk; requires public notification of the new date.
Do not approve: Councillors attending the LGAQ Conference may be unable to attend the October meeting as originally scheduled.

What does this mean for the community?
Ensures councillors can attend both the conference and the October Council meeting.

12.1 Application to Cancel Development Approval – 42 Mabel Street, Atherton

Council holds a development approval over land at 42 Mabel Street, Atherton, that is no longer needed as Council is pursuing a different development outcome for the site.

What is Council deciding?
Whether to apply to cancel the existing development approval (MCU22/0026) over the site.

What is the cost?
No direct cost to Council.

Risks
Approve: Minimal risk; removes an approval that is no longer required and creates clarity for future development of the site.
Do not approve: The unused approval remains attached to the land, creating ongoing uncertainty about which development rights apply.

What does this mean for the community?
Clears the way for Council to pursue an alternative, more suitable development outcome for the site.

12.2 Placemaking Activity Report Q4 FY 2025/26

This report gives Council a quarterly snapshot of development activity across the Tablelands, including housing supply, building approvals and planning applications.

What is Council deciding?
Whether to receive and note the Placemaking Activity Report for the fourth quarter of 2025/26.

What is the cost?
No costs associated with noting the report.

Risks
Approve: Minimal risk.
Do not approve: Reduced visibility for Council and the community of development and housing trends across the region.

What does this mean for the community?
Keeps residents informed about growth, housing supply and development activity across the Tablelands.

13.1 Sunshine Group Australia Pty Ltd – Weaver Street South – Road Closure

As a condition of an approved development at Weaver Street South, Atherton, part of the road reserve needs to be permanently closed to make way for stormwater infrastructure. Council, as the local road authority, has the ability to object to this closure.

What is Council deciding?
Whether Council objects to the proposed permanent closure of part of the Weaver Street South road reserve.

What is the cost?
No direct cost to Council. The applicant bears all survey and administrative costs, and an independent valuation will determine any adjustment to infrastructure charges.

Risks
Approve: Minimal risk; a minimum 20-metre road reserve remains and the closure is required to meet
existing development conditions.
Do not approve: May delay the approved development from proceeding as planned.

What does this mean for the community?
Allows a previously approved development to proceed while maintaining appropriate road access and reserve
width.

13.2 Request for Immediate Installation of Creb Park Signage

Council received a request to install a “CREB Park” sign at a reserve within Priors Creek Parklands. Officers found no historical evidence the site was ever formally named or signed this way, and recommend naming decisions for this area wait until further stages of the Priors Creek Parklands development.

What is Council deciding?
Whether to approve installation of a “CREB Park” sign now, or defer naming and signage decisions to a later stage of the Priors Creek Parklands development.

What is the cost?
A permanent name sign is estimated at $5,000, which is not currently budgeted.

Risks
Approve: Signage cost is not budgeted, and any sign installed now may need to be replaced as the wider Priors Creek Parklands development progresses.
Do not approve: No risk in delaying; the site is currently signed and easy to locate.

What does this mean for the community?
Ensures naming and signage across Priors Creek Parklands is considered as a whole, with consistent design and branding, rather than piecemeal.

13.3 Drinking Water Quality Policy (CORP 014)

Council’s Drinking Water Quality Policy is being updated to reflect current legislation, national drinking water guidelines and clearer roles and responsibilities. This is a scheduled review rather than a change in approach.

What is Council deciding?
Whether to adopt the revised Drinking Water Quality Policy.

What is the cost?
No direct cost associated with adopting the revised policy.

Risks
Approve: Minimal risk; modernises and clarifies an existing policy.
Do not approve: Council continues operating under a policy that does not reflect current legislation, guidelines and industry terminology.

What does this mean for the community?
Reinforces Council’s commitment to safe, reliable drinking water and a clear, modern governance framework for water quality.

13.4 Capital Projects Monthly Report – July 2026

This report gives Council a monthly update on the progress and expenditure of infrastructure and capital works projects.

What is Council deciding?
Whether to receive and note the Capital Projects Report for July 2026.

What is the cost?
No new expenditure is being approved; the report relates to projects already included in Council’s capital works program.

Risks
Approve: Minimal risk.
Do not approve: Reduced transparency regarding delivery and performance of Council’s capital works program.

What does this mean for the community?
Keeps residents informed about progress on roads, water infrastructure, parks and other capital projects.

14.1 Financial Report – July 2026

This report presents Council’s financial performance against the adopted 2026/27 budget, including outstanding rates, workforce overview, and two significant annual insurance and workers compensation payments.

What is Council deciding?
Whether to: note the Finance Report; endorse the General Managers’ financial delegation up to $292,000; endorse payment of $851,137.72 plus GST for 2026/27 workers compensation renewal; and endorse payment of $908,413.65 plus GST for 2026/27 property insurance.

What is the cost?
Workers compensation renewal: $851,137.72 plus GST. Property insurance renewal: $908,413.65 plus GST. Both are budgeted, recurring annual costs.

Risks
Approve: Ensures legally required insurance and workers compensation cover remains in place without a gap.
Do not approve: Council could be left without required workers compensation or property insurance cover, exposing it to significant financial and legal risk.

What does this mean for the community?
Keeps Council financially transparent and ensures community assets and Council employees remain properly insured and covered.

14.2 Amendments to Community Project Request Policy (CORP 048)

Following a Council decision in July 2026 regarding the Grace Community Hub upgrade, Council’s Community Project Request Policy is being updated to clarify how building works are assessed on leased Council facilities, and to improve communication with applicants.

What is Council deciding?
Whether to adopt the amended Community Project Request Policy.

What is the cost?
No direct cost; the operating budget for community project requests is already allocated in 2026/27.

Risks
Approve: Minimal risk; formalises a process change already endorsed by Council in July 2026.
Do not approve: Officers would continue requiring formal applications for matters that could be resolved more efficiently under existing lease agreements.

What does this mean for the community?
Provides clearer, more consistent and transparent processes for community groups seeking to upgrade Council facilities.

14.3 Senior Executive Recruitment Policy

Recent changes to the Local Government Act 2009 strengthened the role of councillors in recruiting senior Council executives. Council needs a formal policy to meet these new legal requirements.

What is Council deciding?
Whether to adopt the Senior Executive Recruitment Policy.

What is the cost?
No cost associated with adopting the policy.

Risks
Approve: Minimal risk; ensures a consistent, compliant recruitment process.
Do not approve: Council’s recruitment processes for senior executives would not comply with current legislative requirements.

What does this mean for the community?
Ensures senior Council leadership positions are filled through a fair, transparent and legally compliant process.

15.1 Notice of Motion – Cr Maree Baade – Proposed Road Closure – Long Road, East Barron

Cr Baade has given notice of a motion to reverse Council’s October 2024 support for a permanent road closure application covering Pinnacle Pocket Road and Long Road, East Barron. New information has come to light, including a neighbouring landholder who was unaware of the original decision, and a Land Management Plan noting the ecological and cultural significance of the area, including remnant endangered woodland.

What is Council being asked to decide?
Whether to rescind its October 2024 support for the road closure application and instruct the CEO to formally notify the State Government that Council no longer supports it, before the 24 September 2026 deadline.

What does this mean for the community?
Affects legal road access for a neighbouring landholder and the future of a road corridor identified as having ecological and cultural significance.

Confidential Items

The following matters will be discussed in a closed session due to commercial or contractual sensitivities. Any decisions Council makes that can be publicly released will be reported after the meeting.

17.1 2025 North & Far North Tropical Low – Tender T00376 – Restoration of Essential Public Assets – Various Roads

Council will consider awarding a tender for road restoration works following declared natural disasters.

What does this mean for the community?
Supports the ongoing recovery and repair of roads damaged by recent severe weather events.

17.2 T00373 – Disaster Relief Funding Arrangement 2024 Gully Betterment

Council will consider funding arrangements associated with gully betterment works funded through disaster relief.

What does this mean for the community?
Supports long-term resilience of Council infrastructure against future severe weather events