Redland City Council has confirmed it will take two community-focused advocacy motions to the National General Assembly (NGA), strengthening its push to influence policy outcomes beyond the region.
Council endorsed the motions for submission to the Australian Local Government Association’s (ALGA) NGA, to be held in Canberra from 23-25 June.
The annual assembly brings together councils, government representatives and sector stakeholders to discuss shared challenges and opportunities across local government. The theme of the 2026 event is Stronger Together: Resilient. Productive. United.
Redland City Council Acting Mayor, Julie Talty, said Council resolved at its February General Meeting to support the two motions, which focus on environmental regulation and the future of cemetery and funeral services.
“Council’s motion on the EPBC Act includes a request for the establishment of a dedicated funding mechanism to assist local governments with the costs incurred in meeting EPBC offset obligations,” Talty said.
She said compliance with federal environmental requirements often placed significant financial pressure on councils, particularly when managing large infrastructure or development projects.
“In relation to cemetery and funeral practices, the motion calls for a national funding stream aimed at enhancing cemetery safety infrastructure; a national program to help local governments adopt digital memorialisations; and equitable funeral assistance programs for First Nations communities,” Talty said.
Council noted that demand for burial and memorial services was increasing as communities grew and aged, placing additional responsibility on local governments to maintain facilities, preserve records and support culturally appropriate practices.
Motions submitted to the NGA are required to demonstrate national relevance, provide potential benefits for councils across Australia, and align with both Council’s Corporate Plan and the policy objectives of the Local Government Association of Queensland.
Talty said the assembly provided an important platform for councils to collaborate, share experiences and contribute to the development of national policy positions.
“The NGA is a valuable opportunity to network with representatives from across the local government sector, influence ALGA’s national policy agenda, and ensure Redland voices are heard at the national level,” she said.
“Council has an important role to play in advocating on behalf of our community, and the annual NGA is a chance to further our work in this space.”
She said the endorsed motions reflected the assembly’s theme by focusing on collective solutions and long-term resilience.
“The motions Council has endorsed are designed to embrace the theme of Stronger Together, ensuring we are supporting not only our city but other LGAs across the state and country,” Talty said.
Council also resolved at the February General Meeting to appoint Mayor Jos Mitchell as the city’s official delegate to the assembly. In this role, the Mayor will be authorised to move and speak to Council’s motions during the national forum.
The delegation is expected to engage with representatives from metropolitan, regional and remote councils, helping to strengthen collaboration on environmental management, community services and funding reform.
