Home › Meetings › Councillor Briefing and Workshop Session — 2026-10-06
Councillor Briefing and Workshop Session — 2026-10-06
1. Ipswich Nature Centre Update - OCT 2026 - 45 MINS
1. Ipswich Nature Centre Update
For almost a century, the Ipswich Nature Centre has been one of the city's most cherished community assets. Generations of Ipswich families have visited the Nature Centre to connect with wildlife, learn about the natural environment and create lasting memories with family and friends.
Today, the Ipswich Nature Centre remains a unique part of Ipswich's identity. As Queensland's oldest council-owned zoo and South-East Queensland's only free zoo, it continues to provide accessible wildlife displays, environmental education opportunities and community benefits for residents and visitors alike.
In light of current investment and transformation initiatives occurring at the Ipswich Nature Centre, this briefing report provides the Mayor and Councillors with the following:
· A snapshot of the current state of the Ipswich Nature Centre and its contribution to the community
· An update on key projects, operational priorities and strategic initiatives currently underway
· A review of the strategic direction established through the 2020 Ipswich Nature Centre Masterplan
· A proposed pathway for the continued evolution of the Ipswich Nature Centre into a contemporary, sustainable and leading, community-focused wildlife experience
· Recommended next steps to inform future planning, investment and decision- making
MATTERS ARISING:
Councillors in attendance noted and discussed the information presented on the update of the Ipswich Nature Centre including the official opening for the back of house facility upgrade and attracting more visitors to the nature centre. A report will be provided to the Environment and Sustainability Committee for consideration.
Attachments
1. Presentation - Ipswich Nature Centre Presentation ⇨
2. Ipswich Nature Centre and Discovery Hub Masterplan ⇨
Mentions: Ipswich
2. Cybersecurity
2. Cybersecurity
The purpose of this briefing is to provide the Mayor and Councillors with an overview of the cyber threats facing local government, Council’s current cyber security maturity and preparedness, progress and the priorities that will continue to strengthen resilience and protect the services our community relies on.
MATTERS ARISING:
Councillors in attendance noted and discussed the information presented on Cybersecurity and the threats facing local government.
3. Related Party Disclosure Policy - 6 October 2026 - 10mins
3. Related Party Disclosure Policy
This is a report that provides details of amendments to the Related Party Disclosure Policy to ensure council’s governance controls over the process of collating and reporting related party transactions are in compliance with applicable accounting standards and legislative requirements.
MATTERS ARISING:
Councillors in attendance noted and discussed the information presented on the Related Party Disclosure Policy and a report will be provided to the Finance and Governance committee for consideration.
Attachments
1. Presentation - Related Party Disclosure Policy 2026 ⇨
2. Draft - Related Party Disclosure Policy-1 ⇨
3. Draft - Related Party Disclosure Policy - Markup ⇨
4. Related Party Disclosure Policy (2019) ⇨
4. Credit Risk Policy - 6 October 2026 - 10mins
4. Credit Risk Policy
This is a report to introduce the updated Credit Risk Policy.
MATTERS ARISING:
Councillors in attendance noted and discussed the information presented on the Credit Risk Policy and a report will be provided to the Finance and Governance committee for consideration.
Attachments
1. Presentation - Credit Risk Policy ⇨
2. Credit Risk Policy ⇨
3. Draft Credit Risk Policy with Tracked Changes ⇨
4. Draft Credit Risk Policy ⇨
5. Updating Recordkeeping Policy and Repeal Councillor Capture and Retention of Public Records Policy - 10 Minutes - 6 October 2026
5. Updating Recordkeeping Policy and Repeal Councillor Capture and Retention of Public Records Policy
This is a report to inform Councillors of proposed changes to the Recordkeeping Policy incorporating the Councillor Capture and Retention of Public Records Policy.
MATTERS ARISING:
Councillors in attendance noted and discussed the information presented on the Updating Recordkeeping Policy and Repeal Councillor Capture and Retention of Public Records Policy. Discussions included appropriate record keeping by staff as well as record keeping of councillors social media.
Attachments
1. Presentation - Updated Recordkeeping Policy ⇨
2. Record Keeping Policy ⇨
3. Councillor Capture and Retention of Public Records Policy ⇨
4. Draft Recordkeeping Policy - Clean Skin ⇨
PROCEDURAL MOTIONS AND FORMAL MATTERS
The meeting commenced at 9.03 am.
Mayor Teresa Harding arrived at the meeting at 9.11 am.
Deputy Mayor Nicole Jonic left the meeting at 9.30 am.
Councillor Marnie Doyle left the meeting at 9.48 am.
Councillor Marnie Doyle returned to the meeting at 9.55 am.
Mayor Teresa Harding left the meeting at 10.00 am.
Mayor Teresa Harding returned to the meeting at 10.05 am.
Councillor Pye Augustine left the meeting at 10.38 am.
The meeting closed at 10.43 am.
Source: Ipswich City Council meeting minutes (CC BY 4.0).