Council and standing committee meetings

The Establishment and Coordination Committee, also known as Civic Cabinet, has been delegated significant responsibility by full Council. Civic Cabinet meets weekly to discuss policies and strategies in areas such as:

• major projects
• finance
• urban planning
• transport
• environment
• community services
• city businesses
• Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It is in this way that Civic Cabinet sets the strategic direction for Brisbane as a city and for Brisbane City Council as an organisation. The members of Civic Cabinet review and make recommendations to full Council on major plans such as Council's vision, City Plan, corporate documents and city finances. 

Civic Cabinet members

Civic Cabinet consists of the Civic Cabinet Chair of each of Council’s standing committees as follows:

• Lord Mayor, Councillor Adrian Schrinner, City Treasurer and Chair of Civic Cabinet
• Deputy Mayor, Councillor Fiona Cunningham, Civic Cabinet Chair for Finance and City Governance 
• Councillor Adam Allan, Civic Cabinet Chair for City Planning, Suburban Renewal and Economic Development
• Councillor Tracy Davis, Civic Cabinet Chair for Environment, Parks and Sustainability
• Councillor Vicki Howard, Civic Cabinet Chair for Community and the Arts
• Councillor Sarah Hutton, Civic Cabinet Chair for Customer Services
• Councillor Ryan Murphy, Civic Cabinet Chair for Infrastructure
• Councillor Andrew Wines, Civic Cabinet Chair for Public Transport.

You can also download a summary of the Civic Cabinet.

Committee membership

Committee responsibilities

The responsibilities of the City Planning, Suburban Renewal and Economic Development Committee will be to:

• plan for the sustainable development of Brisbane to ensure economic prosperity and maintain quality of life
• plan for a growing city by ensuring that Brisbane City Plan 2014 remains current, efficient and effective
• collaborate with Queensland Government authorities and other local governments in regional planning and to implement the Queensland Government’s ShapingSEQ South East Queensland Regional Plan 2023 as it pertains to the Brisbane Local Government Area
• plan sustainable neighbourhoods where Brisbane residents want to live and work
• deliver on the outcomes of Brisbane’s Future Blueprint, Brisbane: Our Productive City, Brisbane’s Sustainable Growth Strategy and Brisbane’s Housing Supply Action Plan
• ensure Brisbane retains the unique character of its architecture and natural attributes
• promote a range of housing choices to cater for Brisbane’s diverse population
• partner with the property and construction industry to ensure the sustainable development of Brisbane
• deliver improvement projects in suburban precincts
• undertake integrated medium and long-term planning for Council across land use, open space, public and active transport, economic development and community facilities through the local government infrastructure plan and long term infrastructure plan process
• work with local communities, industry and other levels of government to facilitate suburban renewal projects in Brisbane’s suburbs
• facilitate high-quality, sustainable urban design and private and public art to foster inclusive, vibrant and liveable communities
• oversee and manage integrated, efficient and effective permitting and streamlined development assessment process
• decide delegated applications during recess
• recommend major project applications to Council for consideration
• enhance Brisbane’s economic position
• ensure that small business is supported with Council programs and events
• promote and integrate Brisbane’s marketing and business attraction opportunities
• promote investment in Brisbane
• manage Brisbane’s Economic Development Plan and implement its recommendations
• deliver local Business Partnership Initiatives and other measures which support Brisbane business at any level of growth
• ensure the successful operation of Brisbane Economic Development Agency
• encourage new opportunities in the tourism sector
• work with the small business community to ensure Council is responsive to the needs of the sector and supportive of the creation of local jobs
• work with the business community to enhance the nighttime economy, including in key precincts of Brisbane, such as Fortitude Valley and the Central Business District
• develop strong relationships with the multicultural communities of Brisbane and maintain strong relationships with Council’s Sister Cities
• advance Brisbane’s global positioning and international relationships with key regions to facilitate business and trade connections
• deliver on Council’s Olympic Host Contract commitments and obligations relating to the portfolio.

Committee membership

Committee responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Community and the Arts Committee will be to:

• develop vibrant and caring local Brisbane communities
• provide and promote opportunities for Brisbane residents to have an active and healthy lifestyle
• provide pools, community halls and meeting spaces for Brisbane residents
• support exciting, vibrant cultural and artistic activities for Brisbane residents including oversight of Brisbane Powerhouse and Museum of Brisbane
• partner with community and business organisations to sponsor and deliver community services
• provide high-quality community venues and recreation facilities
• manage Council’s relationships with community groups that operate from Council-owned facilities and provide support to improve and maintain facilities
• work with sporting organisations to support community-based sport and recreation activities
• deliver on the outcomes in Brisbane’s Sustainable Growth Strategy as it relates to homelessness and community housing providers
• deliver strategies and programs that acknowledge and value the unique contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to Brisbane, including overseeing the implementation of Brisbane City Council’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
• deliver on Council’s Olympic Host Contract commitments and obligations relating to the portfolio
• oversee, in partnership with the Queensland Government, the Major Brisbane Festivals entity, delivering Brisbane Festival.

Committee membership

Committee responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Customer Services Committee will be to:

• oversee and manage the delivery of customer contact with Council, through a range of platforms to ensure simple, fast and reliable services built for the needs of Brisbane’s diverse community
• deliver a leading public library network for Brisbane residents with modern facilities across a range of platforms
• ensure a firm but fair approach to compliance and regulation to maintain amenity standards and manage environmental risks and hazards and development activity impacts
• oversee and manage the delivery of a business hotline supporting local businesses
• ensure the management of Council’s obligations under the Public Health Act 2005 and the Biosecurity Act 2014, such as mosquito and rodent control
• ensure compliance with local laws and regulations
• provide animal management services to Brisbane residents including animal rehoming centres
• manage Council’s operational and historic cemetery network
• ensure citywide removal of graffiti
• deliver on Council’s Olympic Host Contract commitments and obligations relating to the portfolio.

Committee membership

Committee responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committee will be to:

• manage Brisbane’s comprehensive parks and open space network including bushland reserves
• protect and enhance Brisbane’s environment including the Brisbane River, waterways, biodiversity, air quality and natural areas
• create new and improved existing parks across Brisbane
• ensure Brisbane is a leading city in energy efficiency and sustainability
• encourage the protection of Brisbane’s native wildlife, such as the koala and platypus
• build Brisbane’s reputation as Australia’s most biodiverse capital city
• oversee and manage biosecurity requirements in relation to vegetation
• deliver on the goals in Council’s Brisbane: Clean, Green, Sustainable including natural habitat cover
• partner with the community and businesses and support volunteer organisations in their contribution to the protection and enhancement of Brisbane’s environment
• oversee and manage waste management and resource recovery for Brisbane residents
• ensure citywide litter prevention
• implement the Brisbane Off-Road Cycling Strategy
• maintain and enhance Brisbane's drainage network
• prepare Council and the community to minimise the impact of severe weather and natural disasters
• ensure coordination with the State Emergency Services during localised incident and disaster response activities
• ensure the successful operation of Brisbane Sustainability Agency and City Parklands Services
• deliver on Council’s Olympic Host Contract commitments and obligations relating to the portfolio.

Committee membership

Committee responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Finance and City Governance Committee will be to:

• enable the efficient functioning of Council as an organisation
• maintain and enhance the financial strength and performance of Council
• ensure sound corporate governance and that Council’s risks are identified and managed
• ensure the safety and security of Council, including the protection of Council assets
• promote and protect Council’s values, brand and reputation
• ensure the community is brought up to date with the latest initiatives of Council
• ensure the procurement of Council’s goods and services provides best value for money while also delivering on Council’s policies to support local suppliers
• improve the quality and lower the cost of Council services
• support the efficient and effective governance and management of Council’s project management, human resources, services and business processes, IT and property assets, including digital and innovation
• support commercial lease agreements that deliver ongoing benefits to Brisbane ratepayers and improve Brisbane’s lifestyle
• deliver on Council’s Olympic Host Contract commitments and obligations relating to the portfolio.

Committee membership

Committee responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Infrastructure Committee will be to:

• advocate for the priorities and the implementation of the Race to Gold: Brisbane’s Games Transport Legacy
• oversee the implementation of Brisbane’s traffic management plans and road network operations with a focus on tackling traffic congestion to keep Brisbane moving
• ensure integration of the road network with outcomes within all other Council programs
• work with all Council programs to deliver maintenance activities for Council’s assets, including roads, footpaths and bridges
• undertake integrated asset planning for Council across the road and active transport network
• collaborate and facilitate activities with the Australian and Queensland Governments and other local governments, and the private sector to deliver integrated planning and delivery activities for projects across Brisbane
• define and oversee the implementation of the asset management framework for all assets owned by Council
• oversee the implementation of Council’s transport plans relating to active transport infrastructure
• deliver Council's travel change behaviour programs, including active school travel and kindy active travel and oversee implementation of Council’s Safer Schools precincts
• maintain and manage Council vehicles and equipment
• ensure the management of the capital works program for the optimum performance of Council’s road network
• manage urban cleansing activities including city malls cleansing and street sweeping
• deliver on Council’s Olympic Host Contract commitments and obligations relating to the portfolio.

Committee membership

Committee responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Public Transport Committee will be to:

• advocate for the priorities outlined in and the implementation of the Race to Gold: Brisbane’s Games Transport Legacy
• plan for integrated public transport services across Brisbane
• ensure the effective and efficient operations of Brisbane’s public transport services, including the Brisbane Metro, buses, ferries and CityCats
• collaborate with the Queensland Government to deliver integrated transport plans and services for Brisbane
• ensure Brisbane is a leading city in the use of e-bike and e-scooter arrangements as part of last mile transport solutions
• ensure the travelling public is satisfied with the Brisbane Metro, bus, ferry and CityCat services
• plan for the necessary growth in Brisbane’s public transport services to meet population growth and public expectations
• operationalise Brisbane Metro services and progress the expansion of the Brisbane Metro into more suburbs
• advocate for additional investment for public transport in Brisbane
• deliver on Council’s Olympic Host Contract commitments and obligations relating to the portfolio.

Committee membership

Committee responsibilities

The Councillor Ethics Committee is responsible for considering the findings and recommendations put forward to Council regarding a suspected conduct breach by a Councillor.

The Committee meets on an as-needed basis. For more information, visit Code of Conduct for Councillors. 

Council ordinary meetings are held in the Council Chamber at City Hall. Meeting agendas are published before the meeting. 

Limited seating is available in the Public Gallery, which is located at the back of the Council Chamber. City Hall staff will direct you to the designated area. 

The Council Chamber and Committee meeting rooms are fully accessible to people with disability. For more information, phone Council on 07 3403 8888 or learn about accessibility at City Hall.

You can also take a virtual tour of the Council Chamber.

Rules of attendance

All attendees need to follow behavioural guidelines so Council meetings can run smoothly and cover all items on the agenda.

Council meetings

If you attend a Council meeting, you’re bound by Meetings Local Law 2001 and the Conditions of Entry to:

• remain silent
• not interrupt the conduct of business
• not record or photograph from the Public Gallery without approval from the Chair of Council.

Standing Committee meetings

If you attend a Standing Committee meeting, you must not:

• interrupt the meeting
• speak at any time
• enter or leave the room after the meeting has started
• argue with the Civic Cabinet Chair if they ask you to leave.

Read the following list of entry conditions for attending Council and Standing Committee meetings.

You can apply to speak at Council meetings. Requests to address Council are at the discretion of the Chair of Council.

Before you apply

Council receives a high number of applications to address Council and not all applications or preferred dates can be accommodated. The Chair of Council may determine that your matter is better addressed through a more suitable pathway and Council may contact you to discuss.

Who can apply

To be considered, your request should relate to a matter of public interest, fall within Council’s responsibility and be suitable to be raised in a public meeting.

Applications may be declined or redirected where the subject is:

• an individual or private matter
• an operational service request
• a matter already considered or under investigation by Council
• a regulatory or statutory matter better handled through the relevant process
• containing defamatory, offensive or irrelevant material.

How to apply

1. Download the application to address Council. 

You can also pick up a copy of the application form from:

• your local ward office 
• your nearest Council Customer Centre. 

2. Submit your application by:

• emailing Council
• mailing to: 
  Brisbane City Council 
  GPO Box 1434 
  Brisbane Qld 4001.

What happens next

If the Chair of Council approves your application, we will contact you as soon as possible with an available speaking date and the protocols you’ll need to follow.

If you’re approved

• You'll have a maximum of 5 minutes to speak.
• No one in the meeting can interrupt you.
• Council can’t debate any issue you raise.
• The Lord Mayor or the Civic Cabinet Chair of the relevant Standing Committee may respond on Council's behalf, and you must not interrupt or debate any of the issues.

Following your address, you are welcome to watch the remainder of the Council meeting from the Public Gallery.

Privacy and public recording

Council meetings are livestreamed, recorded and transcribed for inclusion in Council’s minutes. The minutes and recording are published on Council’s website. By applying to speak, you acknowledge that your name and the content of your address will be published as part of the public record.

If you can’t attend an ordinary Council meeting, you can watch the livestream on YouTube from 1pm every Tuesday (except during recess periods).

Things to remember:

• ‘Streaming paused for Meeting adjournment’ means the meeting will begin again shortly
• recordings are uploaded to Council’s YouTube channel after each livestream.