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Environment and Sustainability Committee — 2026-09-15
2. 2026 Get Ready Queensland Week
Environment and Sustainability Committee
Meeting Agenda
15 September
2026
Doc ID No: A13289093
ITEM: 2
SUBJECT: 2026 Get Ready Queensland Week
AUTHOR: Acting Disaster Management Coordinator
DATE: 31 August 2026
Executive Summary
This is a report concerning Get Ready Queensland Week 2026, which falls between 5 and 11 October 2026. Get Ready Queensland Week is an annual statewide call to action, helping communities prepare for extreme weather and disasters.
Recommendation/s
That the report on 2026 Get Ready Queensland Week be received and the contents noted.
RELATED PARTIES
There was no declaration of conflicts of interest.
CORPORATE PLAN Theme
Safe, Inclusive and Creative
Purpose of Report/Background
Get Ready Queensland Week is an annual, statewide program administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA). The program aims to raise awareness of disaster risk among Queenslanders and encourage action to prepare for disasters. Get Ready Queensland Week 2026 falls between 5 and 11 October, with the key messages of the program being:
· Understand your disaster risk
· Make an emergency plan
· Pack an emergency kit
As part of the Get Ready Queensland program, QRA provides funding to local governments to facilitate locally driven events and initiatives that promote individual and community participation in, and understanding of, disaster preparedness and resilience. Council has benefited significantly from the Get Ready Queensland program over the past decade, with program funding supporting the majority of Council’s community education and awareness activities relating to disaster preparedness.
In Ipswich, Council extends the impact of the Get Ready Queensland program beyond Get Ready Queensland Week by promoting the program’s key messages from September through March. This approach encourages residents to remain vigilant throughout the higher-risk weather season, which typically occurs from October to April.
To support this objective, Council’s planned activities for the Get Ready Queensland grant allocation will commence in September 2026 and include, but are not limited to:
· An awareness campaign promoted through local radio, billboards, and digital and print media channels.
· Information stalls at community locations where residents can engage directly with officers from the Disaster and Natural Hazards Section.
· Distribution of disaster preparedness resources and tools available in 11 languages to support access to information for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
· Partnerships with key disaster management stakeholders, including the State Emergency Service, to deliver community education and engagement activities.
Council is still in the process of confirming arrangements for the delivery of these activities, and additional information will be provided once details are finalised.
Legal IMPLICATIONS
This report and its recommendations are consistent with the following legislative provisions:
Local Government Act 2009
Local Government Regulation 2012
Disaster Management Act 2003
policy implications
The Disaster Management Policy outlines Council’s commitment to promoting a resilient community that can prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disaster impacts.
RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
Council’s approach to promoting Get Ready Queensland Week 2026, as well as our annual promotional campaign, is intended as risk management treatments aimed at helping the Ipswich community to understand its disaster risk and take protective and proactive actions to reduce that risk.
Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
Council has received approximately $70,800 from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority through the Get Ready Queensland grant, which will fund the activities outlined in this report. Council also contributes in-kind through Council staff officer working hours.
COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION
Council’s approach to planning Get Ready Queensland Week 2026 activities is based on good practice, market research, and evaluation and feedback of previous years’ events.
Conclusion
Get Ready Queensland Week is a key event in the disaster management calendar, promoting the preparedness actions that have the greatest potential to improve outcomes for Ipswich residents by encouraging them to prepare themselves, their loved ones, and their homes for severe weather and other hazards.
HUMAN RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS
HUMAN RIGHTS IMPACTS
RECEIVE AND NOTE REPORT
The Recommendation states that the report be received and the contents noted. The decision to receive and note the report does not limit human rights. Therefore, the decision is compatible with human rights.
Luke Smith
Acting Disaster Management Coordinator
I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.
Matthew Pinder
Disaster and Natural Hazards Manager
I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.
Kaye Cavanagh
General Manager (Environment and Sustainability)
“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”
Mentions: Ipswich
3. bushcare program report
Environment and Sustainability Committee
Meeting Agenda
15 September
2026
Doc ID No: A13090798
ITEM: 3
SUBJECT: bushcare program report
AUTHOR: Bushcare Coordinator
DATE: 3 July 2026
Executive Summary
This is a report concerning an update on the Bushcare Program, a community-led habitat restoration and improvement initiative that contains 13 groups who care for our local bushland and flora whilst providing environmental education to the community.
Recommendation/s
That the report on the Bushcare Program be received and the contents noted.
RELATED PARTIES
There was no declaration of conflicts of interest.
The parties below are listed as associated with Council’s delivery of the Bushcare Program:
· ICC Bushcare Groups (x13)
· West Moreton Landcare
· Bremer River Association
· Native Plants Queensland
· Springfield Lakes Nature Care
ifuture Theme
Natural and Sustainable
Purpose of Report/Background
The Bushcare Program was established in 2019 to support an initial five (5) community groups undertaking bushland restoration and conservation activities. It provides guidance, procedures, training, and access to resources, while supporting community involvement, environmental education, and the long-term care of local natural assets.
Since the last report to Council, the program has expanded by two (2) new groups increasing the total to 13 groups across the Ipswich LGA (currently across three (3) divisions – see Attachment 1 for more detail). The Bushcare Program is coordinated by one council officer who is responsible for volunteer engagement, education and communication, site coordination, compliance, and program improvement. Working bees are held every weekend across the different groups, averaging approximately 15 sessions per month, with volunteers undertaking planting, weeding, watering, mulching, erosion control and other site-specific restoration activities.
Community participation continues to grow, with volunteers contributing to approximately 3,565 hours of on-ground work over the reporting period, equivalent to 2.28 FTE. New volunteers may attend up to three “Come and Try Bushcare” working bees before formally registering, helping participants understand the program before committing.
Each Bushcare site has unique ecological conditions and management objectives, requiring tailored approaches to restoration and maintenance. The program currently supports onboarding one new group per year, subject to demonstrated need, ongoing commitment, a minimum of five active members and an experienced group leader.
Whilst budget allocations remaining largely unchanged over the past three years, the program has continued to deliver strong outcomes, including major planting, erosion stabilisation and community restoration projects across multiple sites. Key projects over the past 18 months include:
· Peace Park Arboretum gully erosion stabilisation project (see Attachment 2 for further information).
· Masons Gully Community Bush Tucker Planting: 500 plants installed representing more than 82 bush tucker species.
· Cribb Park National Tree Day Community Planting (part of Peaks to Points Festival): 100 registered and 1,200 plants to be planted.
· The Smith Park Bushcare group has planted in excess of 2,000 plants during working bees in the past two years.
Moreover, supplementary funding has also been secured through two Ti Tree Fund grants totalling $100,000 over two years, supporting contractor-led works across multiple Bushcare sites, and major regeneration and revegetation works at Woogaroo Creek in Bellbird Park (and area containing remnant gallery rainforest).
However, increasing demand and limited resourcing are placing pressure on the program’s capacity to onboard new groups, maintain service levels and support further growth. Any future expansion will need to be considered alongside available funding and resourcing to ensure existing groups remain well supported and program outcomes are sustained.
Legal IMPLICATIONS
This report and its recommendations are consistent with the following legislative provisions:
Local Government Act 2009
Local Government Regulation 2012
Environmental Protection Act 1994
Nature Conservation Act 1992
policy implications
The Bushcare Program supports council’s commitment to environmental stewardship, community participation and volunteer-led conservation.
RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
The Bushcare Program operates within a framework of procedures, training, supervision and risk controls designed to support safe volunteer participation and effective site management. Risks associated with volunteer activities, including manual handling, use of hand tools, hazardous vegetation, environmental conditions and work in natural areas, are managed through site-specific risk assessments, safety briefings, volunteer inductions and ongoing oversight by council officers.
Increasing participation and demand for the program places additional pressure on existing resources and the capacity to provide volunteer support, site coordination and compliance oversight. Continued investment in program resourcing is needed to assist in managing these risks and ensuring appropriate support is maintained across all Bushcare groups.
Ensuring adequate resourcing of the program is needed if additional groups are to be considered, whilst managing the risk of reduced volunteer engagement, declining site outcomes and limitations on the program’s ability to respond to community interest and future growth opportunities.
Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS
The program depends on Council funding to operate at its current scale, with significant volunteer contributions helping to keep delivery costs low. As reflected in the delivered 2025-2026 budget, the program supports 13 groups through a $25,000 materials and services budget, and a $15,000 contract services budget, both which have remained largely unchanged over the past three (3) years.
COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION
Bushcare volunteers; relevant asset, reserve and park managers; and internal stakeholders are engaged in project planning and delivery.
Conclusion
The Bushcare Program is one of Council’s environmental stewardship initiatives with a focus on the activities most likely to deliver positive environmental and community outcomes, including habitat restoration, environmental education, and community participation in the care of natural areas. The program provides significant value through strong volunteer contribution and operates in alignment with relevant legislation and council policy. Continued Council investment is essential to sustain these outcomes, maintain current service levels, and respond to growing community interest and participation.
HUMAN RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS
HUMAN RIGHTS IMPACTS
RECEIVE AND NOTE REPORT
The Recommendation states that the report be received and the contents noted. The decision to receive and note the report does not limit human rights. Therefore, the decision is compatible with human rights.
Attachments
1.
Bushcare Program Overview ⇩
2.
Peace Park - erosion mitigation project ⇩
Damien O'Donnell
Bushcare Coordinator
I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.
Stephani Grove
Team Leader (Environment and Sustainability Education and Awareness)
I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.
Grant Sorensen
Environmental Education and Operations Manager
I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.
Kaye Cavanagh
General Manager (Environment and Sustainability)
“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”
Environment and Sustainability Committee
Meeting AGENDA
15 September
2026
Item 3 / Attachment 1.
Environment and Sustainability Committee
Meeting AGENDA
15 September
2026
Item 3 / Attachment 2.
Mentions: Springfield Lakes · Ipswich · Bellbird Park
Source: Ipswich City Council meeting agenda (CC BY 4.0).