THE State Government has extended the appointment of an external governance advisor at Redland City Council until June 30 as scrutiny over the organisation continues behind the scenes during a turbulent period for the city’s leadership.
Correspondence obtained by the paper confirms the advisor’s tenure has been extended beyond the original end date later this month, with the advisor now remaining in place through the council’s critical 2026–27 budget development process.
The correspondence states the extension is partly aimed at ensuring “those currently on leave from the council have returned” before the advisor’s findings and recommendations are formally handed down.
The advisor was originally appointed by the State Government late last year under section 117 of the Local Government Act amid escalating governance concerns, councillor tensions and instability within the organisation.
Importantly, the latest correspondence also confirms the ongoing cost of the advisor will continue to be recovered from Redland City Council — meaning the expense will ultimately be borne by Redlands ratepayers.
The advisor’s continued presence comes as Mayor Jos Mitchell remains on medical leave until mid-June, with Deputy Mayor Julie Talty currently serving as Acting Mayor.
Mayor Mitchell announced earlier this week she would step aside for six weeks on medical advice to address a health issue, saying the decision was necessary to allow her to recover and continue performing effectively in the role.
The leave comes during one of the most politically difficult periods in recent council history with the organisation facing ongoing governance disputes, councillor conduct complaints, senior staff turnover and repeated public scrutiny over internal dysfunction.
When the governance advisor was first announced in December, the State Government said the role was designed to provide targeted support around leadership, communication processes, decision-making and councillor conduct rather than act as an administrator or mediator.
At the time, Mayor Mitchell publicly welcomed the intervention, describing it as something she “wholeheartedly support(ed)” and saying she hoped the process would benefit councillors, council staff and the wider community.
The advisor’s extended appointment will now overlap with council’s finalisation of its upcoming budget, one of the most significant financial processes undertaken by local government each year.
No formal findings or recommendations from the advisor have yet been publicly released.
