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Regulation Advisory Committee — 2026-08-26
2. Local Law Review Dangerous Trees
2. Local Law Review Dangerous Trees
This is a report concerning the comprehensive local law review that is underway and a variation to a recommendation that was made (and resolved) at the Council Ordinary Meeting on 25 June 2026 with regard to the management of dangerous trees and for council to continue to regulate private dangerous tree disputes.
Council should continue to protect the community from genuine public hazards and public nuisances involving trees. That is a proper local-government function.
However, where the effect of a tree is confined to neighbouring private properties, the matter is ordinarily a civil dispute between the affected neighbour and the tree-keeper. The Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011 establishes the rights, responsibilities and procedures applicable to that dispute and gives QCAT jurisdiction to determine it.
Council should not position itself as a parallel or alternative tribunal for such disputes. Doing so would duplicate the State statutory process, consume public resources for predominantly private benefit and expose Council to avoidable legal, operational, liability and insurance risks.
“The attachment/s to this report are confidential in accordance with section 254J(3)(e) of the Local Government Regulation 2012.”
Recommendation
A. That the new local laws continue to regulate trees and vegetation where it is necessary to address a genuine risk to public health and safety, a public nuisance, or an impact upon Council-controlled land, infrastructure or operations.
B. That the new local laws clarify that it does not establish a parallel Council process for determining private disputes about trees, including dangerous trees, and direct private landowners to the statutory processes established by the Neighbourhood Disputes (Dividing Fences and Trees) Act 2011 .
Councillor Paul Tully (Chairperson) proposed the addition of the following wording to the end of Recommendation A and the deletion of Recommendation B.
‘or where other exceptional circumstances exist.’
The members present agreed to the proposed amendment.
RECOMMENDATION
That the new local laws continue to regulate trees and vegetation where it is necessary to address a genuine risk to public health and safety, a public nuisance, or an impact upon Council-controlled land, infrastructure or operations or where other exceptional circumstances exist.
3. Local Law Review: Penalty Unit Amounts (Parking)
3. Local Law Review: Penalty Unit Amounts (Parking)
With council undertaking a comprehensive review of its local laws, a review into the current penalty units for parking (minor traffic offences) has been undertaken. This report presents a review of council's regulated parking infringements, including parking enforcement activity, benchmarking against comparable Southeast Queensland councils and operational costs associated with parking enforcement.
The review has identified changes to the list of minor traffic offences and penalty unit values that will be made in the drafting of the new Parking Local Laws. The draft Local Laws will be submitted to committees and council at the end of 2026 after which community consultation and State Government interest checks will be undertaken in early 2027 with the final laws commencing on 1 July 2027.
Recommendation
That the report be received and the contents noted.
4. Local Law Review Update
4. Local Law Review Update
This is a report concerning the Local Law Review that is underway and provision of an update on its progress with drafting the laws and presentation of the draft laws at a future Regulation Advisory Committee.
Recommendation
That the report be received and the contents noted.
5. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 18 November 2026.
6. GENERAL DISCUSSION (within the purpose and scope of the committee)
6 New Item (Committees) - Smart Glasses and Recording Devices
6. Smart Glasses and Recording Devices
Councillor Andrew Antoniolli outlined the changes that Brisbane City Council is making in relation to recording devices around pools.
ACTION
That the General Manager, Corporate Services prepare a discussion paper to be circulated to all councillors outlining what Brisbane City Council is implementing in relation to recording devices around pools.
The members of the committee raised the following matters for discussion:
· Gardens on footpaths
· Mowing of footpaths surrounding commercial properties
· Parking on footpaths
PROCEDURAL MOTIONS AND FORMAL MATTERS
The meeting commenced at 1.34 pm.
The meeting closed at 2.20 pm.
Source: Ipswich City Council meeting minutes (CC BY 4.0).