A POLITICAL spat has erupted at Redland City Council after claims councillors were denied access to observe key Olympic legacy planning meetings — prompting a sharp exchange over the mayor’s role and her recent hospitalisation.
The tension surfaced during Wednesday’s General Meeting as councillors considered a report from the Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group, an advisory body shaping how the region prepares for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Cr Jason Colley told the chamber he was “disappointed” that councillors were not permitted to attend the working group’s reconvened meetings as observers.
“Given that the group has reconvened after a two-year absence, this was a perfect opportunity for the group to meet with Council, particularly as Council will ultimately be making decisions related to the work that comes out of this group,” he said.
He said multiple councillors had requested to attend merely to observe proceedings but were denied.
“The meeting minutes, which are noted in this report, are essentially all that we see regarding the activity of this group,” he said.
Cr Colley also pointed to a note in the minutes stating that Mayor Mitchell would provide an update at a forthcoming Mayor and Council meeting.
“Unfortunately, that did not occur,” he said.
“As a result, I am concerned that there may have been important information that should have been shared with councillors, and we were not afforded the opportunity to hear it.”
He noted the last Mayor and Council meeting was held on November 6 — three months ago — and that two working group meetings had taken place since then.
“I believe it is really important that councillors are across all relevant information and that we receive fulsome updates about the activities of this group moving forward,” he said.
Cr Paul Bishop challenged the suggestion that the mayor had personally blocked councillors from attending.
“In the minutes that were distributed to us prior to the Mayor and Councillor meeting, it states that Mayor Mitchell advised the group of interest from councillors to observe meetings,” he said.
“It then notes that group members agreed that, due to meetings having only recently recommenced, their preference was to keep invitations to members only, with Mayor Mitchell to provide an update to councillors at the forthcoming Mayor and Council meeting.
“All of which happened.”
Cr Wendy Boglary then intervened, urging colleagues to acknowledge the circumstances surrounding the missed Mayor and Councillor meeting.
“I would also like to say that at last week’s Mayor and Councillor meeting, the mayor did not attend because she was being taken to hospital in an ambulance. That was a very serious situation,” she said,
Amid the governance debate, councillors also sought clarity on the timeline for the Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Plan.
Cr Colley asked officers whether a delivery timeframe had been set.
Daniel Harris, Executive Group Manager Major Projects, responded.
“At this stage, officers have been busy working on the Legacy Plan and the roadmap moving forward,” he said.
“We are currently planning to have a draft ready for Council’s consideration before the end of the calendar year.”
Cr Peter Mitchell later questioned whether councillors could expect future budget requests linked to legacy delivery.
CEO Louise Rusan said budget matters were considered through the formal budget process.
“Officers review resourcing requests and organisational requirements, and we assess priorities accordingly,” she said.
“Any requirements necessary to deliver Council’s priorities—consistent with the Corporate Plan and Operational Plan—will be considered by Council as part of the budget process.”
Chris Isles, General Manager Infrastructure and Operations, said legacy strategies would ultimately come back to Council for decision and urged a broad view of the opportunities surrounding the Games.
“We talk about pre-legacy, the 10-year runway, and the 10-year post-Games legacy,” he said.
“There are significant opportunities for Redlands Coast, particularly in tourism, and hotel accommodation will certainly form part of that discussion.”
He confirmed Council’s Economic Development team was actively working to attract hotel investment to the city, though not explicitly under an Olympic lens at this stage.
“The challenge is that it’s one thing to build a hotel—you also need people who want to stay in it,” he said.
“Our starting point is creating the reasons for people to come here and stay overnight.”
The Redlands Coast 2032 Legacy Working Group operates in an advisory capacity, with members serving on an honorary basis.
Its recommendations will ultimately be considered by Council as legacy planning for the 2032 Games continues to take shape.
