A Council officer was “left in tears” during Redland City Council’s debate over its new five-year Corporate Plan 2026–2031 after Mayor Jos Mitchell delivered a scathing critique of the document and the consultation process.
Mayor Mitchell voted against the plan, joining three other councillors in opposing it, citing concerns over engagement with younger residents, the clarity of council services, and the approach to community collaboration.
“It’s a very important document that everyone can refer to for direction and vision,” Mayor Mitchell said.
“However, there is a gap in engagement with the younger portion of our community, and more time should be taken to include their feedback.
“The plan also could do more to explain how council services operate, the impact they have on both council and residents, and how we can work collaboratively rather than just asking residents ‘What can you do?’”
Mayor Mitchell also raised concerns about the lack of underpinning information for each of the plan’s five pillars.
“Other councils provide data and context under each pillar — population numbers, service impacts, outcomes. This is important for residents to understand the scale of council work and its effect on the community,” she said.
Her comments prompted a sharp backlash from fellow councillors.
One unnamed councillor said: “We’ve got a council officer in tears. That was the biggest grandstand I’ve ever seen. She wasn’t even present in the workshops and now at the eleventh hour with the Corporate Plan she says all that.”
Another councillor added: “What action has she taken as the leader of our council to address these concerns about the Corporate Plan as expressed? What feedback did she provide during the development of the Corporate Plan? It’s my understanding she didn’t attend any of the workshops in person and contributed little when attending online.”
Despite the controversy, the Corporate Plan passed 7–4, with Mayor Mitchell, Wendy Boglary, Lance Hewlett, and Paul Bishop voting against it.
The plan, effective July 1, 2026, sets council’s strategic direction for the next five years, focusing on sustainability, community facilities, youth engagement, local business support, and transparency.
The plan removes previous “Catalyst Projects” and “Key Initiatives,” adopting a high-level strategic framework, with detailed projects outlined annually in the Operational Plan.
Council officers say the timely adoption of the plan is critical to ensure alignment with the 2026–27 budget and secure funding for early implementation.
Council will now develop key performance indicators to track progress, measure community satisfaction, and guide future decision-making.
