Policies

Council policy states our intent, commitment or position on strategic issues and assists in informing the community and Council officers on Council's desired outcome.

Policies are approved and adopted by Council.

Council's Policies

Please note that the following policies can be found in the 2024/25 Budget and Operational Plan.

• City Activation and Housing Incentive Policy
• Concession of Disposal Fees for Charity Bin Waste Policy
• Concession of Water Charges for Home Haemodialysis Patients Policy
• Debt Policy
• Differential Rating Categories
• Differential Rates, Limitations on Increases, Minimum General Rates
• General Rates and Utility Charges Concession Policy
• Hardship Concession Policy
• Investment Policy
• Nelly Bay Harbour Development Operational Plan
• Pensioner Rates Concession Policy
• Pre-2016 Pensioner Arrears Concession Policy
• Reduction of Water Consumption Charges Policy
• Revenue Policy
• Revenue Statement
• Rural Fire Levy
• Utility Charges – Water
• Utility Charges – Wastewater and Trade Waste
• Utility Charges – Waste Management and Recycling

If you cannot find what you need, please contact us.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

• Advertising Spending Policy
  Council may place paid advertisements in various media to promote, inform and educate the public about its services and programs. Council must ensure that expenditure on advertising is appropriate and in the interest of the public.
  

• Appointment of Acting Chief Executive Officer Policy
  The purpose of this policy is to establish a consistent and transparent approach to the appointment of a person as Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) which complies with a Council resolution made by Townsville City Council (Council) on 19 September 2024.
  

• Arts and Exhibition Policy
  Council is a collecting institution of significant cultural resources in the North Queensland region. Art, craft and cultural material may be displayed in the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery and Pinnacles Gallery and Public spaces. Council must ensure that acquisition and display of art, craft and cultural material is appropriate and in the interest of the public.
  

• Asset Management Policy
  The Townsville City Council will responsibly manage Council-owned assets.
  

• Audit and Risk Committee Policy
  The Audit and Risk Committee is established in accordance with the requirements of section 208 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 and section 105(2) of the Local Government Act 2009. To complement the scope areas in the legislation the Committee objectives will also include risk management and governance.
  

B

• Beneficial Enterprises & Controlling Entities Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) will ensure all proposed or existing beneficial enterprises are in the best interest of the community and meet the objectives of the Local Government Act 2009 and the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982.
  

• Business Continuity Management Policy
  Council recognises the importance of organisational resilience to ensure the uninterrupted availability of all key business resources and critical business functions.
  

C

• Chief Executive Officer Employment Performance Policy
  Section 12(4)(d) of the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act) provides for conducting a performance appraisal of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), at least annually, in the way that is decided by the local government. This policy has been developed to facilitate requirements under the Act as they relate to CEO performance and employment matters.
  

• Chief Executive Officer Recruitment and Onboarding Policy
  The purpose of this policy is to establish an equitable and transparent approach to the recruitment and appointment of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
  

• Child and Young People Safety Policy
  Townsville City Council is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people who use its services.
  

• City Activation and Housing Incentive Policy
  The City Activation and Housing Incentive Policy was developed with the intent of generating investment, increasing housing diversity, supporting community activities and creating employment opportunities.
  

• Citylibraries Policy
  Townsville Citylibraries provides access to public computers, internet facilities, meeting rooms and displays to enhance the public’s access to facilities including up-to-date computing facilities, information, ideas, commentary and meeting rooms.
  

• Code of Conduct for Staff
  Townsville City Council aims to conduct its business with integrity, honesty and fairness and to comply with all relevant laws, regulations, codes and corporate standards.
  

• Code of Meeting Practice Policy
  Council will conduct its meetings in accordance with relevant laws and this Code of Meeting Practice.
  

• Common Seal Policy
  The role of Townsville City Council (Council) is to provide guidance for use of Council’s Common Seal.
  

• Community Engagement Policy
  Townsville City Council is committed to ensuring inclusive and effective community engagement to assist in the delivery of high quality local government.
  

• Community Grants and Partnership Policy
  This policy outlines Townsville City Council’s approach to providing community grants to community organisations and represents Council’s policy about grants to community organisations as required by section 195 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.
  

• Community Leasing and Licence Agreement Policy
  To provide a structured framework and basic principles to ensure a consistent and equitable approach by Townsville City Council (Council) for the provision and management of tenure over Council-controlled land and infrastructure to community organisations that deliver community, cultural, sporting, recreational or environmental services to residents. Council will manage the community leasing portfolio to meet the changing needs of the community seeking to optimise the use and availability of the limited resources of community land.
  

• Complaint Management Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) recognises the importance of stakeholder relationships and values the benefits of effective complaint handling and response to both positive and negative feedback regarding Council services, administrative actions, competitive neutrality and the conduct and performance of Councillors and Council workers. Council is committed to an open, unbiased and accountable complaints management process to enable the transparent and timely resolution of complaints.
  

• Complaint Management Procedure
  This procedure applies to all potential or actual complaints that Council receives or of which it becomes aware.
  

• Complaints about Public Official Policy
  Section 48A of the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 (CC Act) requires Townsville City Council (Council) as a unit of public administration, to have a policy for how it will deal with a complaint that involves, or may involve, corruption of the public official.
  

• Confidentiality Policy
  This policy records Council’s commitment to preserving the confidentiality of information held by Council.
  

• Council Advisory Committees Policy
  Advisory committees are appointed by Townsville City Council (Council) under section 264 of the Local Government Regulation 2012 to provide regular advice and information on specific subjects of interest to the community and Council
  

• Councillor Acceptable Request Guidelines
  The aim of these guidelines is to facilitate a positive working relationship between Councillors as elected representatives of the community and the staff employed to administer the operations of Council.
  

• Councillor Contact with Lobbyists, Developers and Submitters – Officers Present Policy
  Lobbyists, developers and submitters seek access to Councillors to discuss potential and existing development applications and other projects. The public has a clear expectation that such contact is carried out ethically and transparently.
  

• Councillor Expenses Reimbursement and Facilities Policy
  The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred by Councillors while discharging their duties and responsibilities as elected representatives of their local community; and provide guidelines for the provision of facilities necessary to assist Councillors to efficiently and effectively discharge their duties and responsibilities at an appropriate standard.
  

• Councillors' and Officers' Indemnity Policy
  Council will indemnify each councillor and council officer against civil liability and legal expenses arising from any claim concerning the performance of their role as per the policy statement.
  

D

• Delegations Policy
  This policy establishes a framework for delegating authority and the responsible exercise of delegated authority within Council.
  

• Disaster Management Policy
  Council will support our local community in disaster events (natural and/or non-natural) by providing a framework for effective disaster preparedness and response.
  

• Display of City Flags and Banners Policy
  Council is committed to providing assistance to organisations for the promotion of city events through the use of city flags and banners.
  

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) recognises the importance of diversity, inclusion and fair treatment in the workplace. Council is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture to: -create a safe workplace for Councillors and workers that reflects the local community it serves; -encourage the continued growth of the City of Townsville by implementing appropriate strategies to maintain longevity of Council’s workforce; -attract and retain a diverse mix of skills and experience within its workforce; and -enhance its ability to serve the community and deliver its strategic objectives effectively, efficiently and free from bias.
  

• Domain Name Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) commits to maintaining a centralised and consistent internet presence by having all Council websites utilising the domain townsville.qld.gov.au.
  

• Drinking Water Quality Policy
  Council is committed to promoting and protecting public health by managing its water supply to provide safe, high-quality drinking water.
  

E

• E-Mobility Device Hire Scheme Policy
  Road rules in Queensland permit the use of e-mobility devices to operate on local streets and paths. Townsville City Council (Council) believes that e-mobility hire sharing services should be permitted to operate on public spaces which are zoned for mobility hire operations.
  

• Enterprise Risk Management Policy
  This policy demonstrates Council’s commitment to understanding and managing risks in alignment with ISO 31000 Risk Management guidelines, ensuring consistent methods in assessing, monitoring and communicating risks throughout the organisation, aiming to safeguard the community and the Council from potential losses while enhancing decision-making clarity and capitalising on long-term opportunities.
  

• Entertainment and Hospitality Expenditure Policy
  Council will ensure that public sector standards of accountability in relation to entertainment and hospitality expenditure are maintained and that there is consistency in the way the policy is implemented across Council.
  

• Environmental Offsets Land Policy
  Townsville City Council (“Council”) recognises the importance of environmental offsets to protect Matters of National and State Environmental Significance. To assist Townsville City Council’s projects and developments on Council land, Council prioritises the use of suitable Council landholdings for environmental offsets.
  

• Environmental Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) recognises environmental sustainability as a guiding principle in its Corporate Plan and is committed to either avoiding or minimising and mitigating adverse environmental impacts associated with its operations.
  

• Executive Officer Termination Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) payments to Executive officers upon termination or agreed resignation will ordinarily be in accordance with contractual terms. Council will only consider making payments to Executive officers beyond the terms of contracts upon termination or settlement (beyond contract payments) if requested in writing, where the termination agreement or settlement is the subject of external legal advice, and only after all other reasonably avenues of recourse have been exhausted.
  

F

• Fraud and Corruption Management Policy
  This policy demonstrates Townsville City Council’s (Council) commitment to rigorously manage fraud and corruption risks, including proactively preventing and detecting fraud and corruption. Council will respond to fraud and corruption events by investigating in a fair and transparent manner and prosecuting to the fullest extent possible under the law. Council has zero tolerance for, and denounces all forms of, fraud and corruption.
  

I

• Inclusive Community Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) is committed to facilitating and contributing to creating a welcoming and inclusive community. Council believes in building on existing strengths within the community to enable Townsville to be a city that fosters community inclusion, values diversity and actively contributes to opportunity that increase social, civic and economic participation within the community.
  

• Information Management Policy
  Council collects and manages personal information in the course of performing its activities, functions and duties. The way in which Council manages personal information is governed by the Information Privacy Act 2009 (IP Act). This policy sets out how Council collects and manages the personal information that it holds in accordance with the requirements of the IP Act.
  

• Information Privacy Policy
  Townsville City Council is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals. Council will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the collection, use, disclosure and handling of all personal information by council complies with all relevant legislation.
  

• Internal Audit Charter
  The Internal Audit function is an independent and objective review and advisory service, established within Council to provide assurance to the Audit and Risk Committee and management that Council’s controls are designed to manage Council’s risks and achieve objectives by operating in an efficient, effective and ethical manner.
  

• Internal Audit Policy
  The Townsville City Council (Council) maintains an efficient and effective internal audit function as required by the Local Government Act 2009 and Local Government Regulation 2012.
  

• Investigation Policy
  This Investigation Policy sets out how Townsville City Council (Council) deals with complaints about the suspected conduct breach of Councillors as required by section 150AE of the Local Government Act 2009.
  

M

• Maintenance of Sanitary Drainage Policy
  This policy records Council’s responsibilities for maintenance of sanitary drainage. It seeks to clarify that generally, property owners are responsible for the maintenance and repair of private sanitary drainage, including any portion of that drainage located outside of their property. Council has limited responsibilities for the maintenance or repair (including removing blockages from any cause) of private sanitary drains.
  

• Management, Operation and Use of Close Circuit Televisions and Recording Devices Policy
  Council installs closed circuit television (CCTV) systems in public areas and council facilities with the objectives of promoting public safety and minimising damage or theft of Council assets.
  

• Mayor's Christmas Appeal Policy
  Council will seek donations in the lead up to Christmas to support selected local community organisations to assist people in financial hardship over the Christmas period.
  

• Memorials and Commemorative Items Policy
  Council will assess requests to establish memorials and accept donated commemorative items under this policy.
  

N

• Naming of Parks, Reserves and Park Facilities
  This policy provides a process for the naming of parks, reserves and park facilities.
  

O

• Outdoor Dining Policy
  Townsville City Council (“Council”) recognises the importance of the city's vibrant and unique outdoor lifestyle. To enhance the amenity and vibrancy of Townsville, Council encourages the use of Council-controlled outdoor areas by businesses serving food (and/or beverages) to the public.
  

P

• Procurement Policy
  This policy sets out Townsville City Council’s mandatory requirements for selection and engagement of suppliers for goods and services.
  

• Prosecutions Policy
  Council’s enforcement of a range of State and Local laws requires that some offenders be prosecuted through the Courts. Council will commence prosecutions when that is in the community interest, and will conduct prosecutions impartially, fairly and in a manner that demonstrates Council’s commitment to acting as a model litigant.
  

• Public Facing Internet Website Policy
  This policy outlines Council’s minimum requirements for creation, implementation and management of Council’s public-facing websites for the delivery of information and services to the community.
  

• Public Graffiti Management Policy
  Council will ensure a managed response for the removal and reporting of graffiti on Council assets and other places where graffiti can be readily seen from a public place and will promote preventative strategies to minimise graffiti throughout Townsville City.
  

• Public Interest Disclosure Policy
  Council is committed to fostering an ethical transparent culture, the promotion of the public interest and encourages and values the disclosures of suspected wrongdoing in Council. In pursuit of this, Council values the disclosure of information about suspected wrongdoing in the public sector so that it can be properly assessed and, if necessary, appropriately investigated. Council will provide support to employees or others who make disclosures about matters in the public interest.
  

• Public Interest Disclosure Procedure
  Townsville City Council (Council) is committed to fostering an ethical, transparent culture. In pursuit of this, Council values the disclosure of information about suspected wrongdoing in the public sector so that it can be properly assessed and, if necessary, appropriately investigated. Council will provide support to an employee or others who make disclosures about matters in the public interest. This procedure demonstrates this commitment, and ensures that practical and effective procedures are implemented which comply with the requirements of the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010.
  

• Public Tree Management Guideline
  The purpose of this guideline is to support implementation of Council’s Public Tree Management Policy.
  

• Public Tree Management Policy
  Council recognises the value and important role of trees in the urban landscape. In managing Townsville’s public tree network, Council must balance various risks against the social, economic and environmental benefits public trees can provide.
  

R

• Rates and Charges Debtor Management Policy
  This policy provides the framework that will be used in the collection of rates and charges payable to Townsville City Council.
  

• Rates Discount Policy
  Council may consider granting discounts as specified in Council’s budget resolution and Revenue Policy/Statement to ratepayers that have been prevented by circumstances beyond their control from paying their rates on time, in accordance with the Local Government Regulation 2012.
  

• Records Governance Policy
  Council views its records as being vital to ongoing operations and in providing valuable evidence of business decisions, activities and transactions, thereby meeting its legislative responsibilities of accountability and transparency. This policy enables all records to be captured in accordance with legislation and managed throughout its lifecycle through to disposal. This policy will uphold compliance requirements with the Right to Information Act 2009, Council’s obligations under the Information Privacy Act 2009, Public Records Act 2002 and the Local Government Act 2009.
  

• Recreational Use of Ross River Dam Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) is committed to providing a safe and regulated environment for recreational use at Ross River Dam while maintaining water quality standards and minimising environmental Impacts. Recreational activities must align with public safety and environmental conservation priorities.
  

• Recycled Water Re-Use Policy
  The Townsville City Council (Council) is committed to promoting and protecting public health by managing its recycled water supply to provide safe, high-quality recycled water for irrigation and industrial purposes only.
  

• Related Party Disclosure Policy
  The objective of this policy is to ensure related party relationships and transactions are adequately identified and disclosed in order to meet the objectives of the Australian Accounting Standards, whilst also considering the Information Privacy Act 2009 and Right to Information Act 2009.
  

• Residential Pool Wastewater Disposal Policy
  Council aims to encourage and assist pool owners in the environmentally responsible enjoyment of a residential swimming pool.
  

• Right to Information Policy
  Council aims to make it easy for the public to access our information, maximise the amount of corporate information that is publicly available and is committed to openness and transparency. Council promotes proactive release of information and encourages Council Workers to actively support activities to make corporate information available to the public in an easy-to-use, efficient, self-service manner and in accordance with the Right to Information Act 2009.
  

• Rural Roads Management Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) will prioritise expenditure on the maintenance of rural roads having regard to the level of public use and function of each road.
  

U

• Unauthorised Works in Road Reserves Policy
  Townsville City Council recognises that there are a number of unauthorised works carried out in road reserves across the local government area. Only a limited number of these unauthorised works cause concerns.
  

• Unreasonable Customer Conduct Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) is committed to delivering high quality services that respond to the needs of its stakeholders and the community, while providing a safe and healthy workplace for its Councillors and workers. While Council has an expectation that its workers will treat people with courtesy and respect, there is an expectation that this courtesy is to be returned. Council does not tolerate behaviour that is offensive, abusive or threatening or consumes disproportionate resources. This policy supports Council’s zero tolerance approach to work-related violence by providing a consistent approach to mitigating and managing unreasonable behaviour by customers, where observed or reported.
  

• Use of Open Space Policy
  Council recognises its responsibility to facilitate the use of Council controlled open space, including the future provision, role, use, development, management and maintenance of the open space facilities within the Townsville local government area.
  

• Use of Recreational Vehicles on Local Roads Policy
  Council is committed to minimising the risks and maximising the safety of all road users on the local road network and recognises that some residents seek to operate recreational vehicles (eligible for conditional registration) on or across roads in the local government area.
  

V

• Volunteers Policy
  Council is committed to supporting individual members of the public and community groups who choose to volunteer their time to enhance the provision of services to the community.
  

W

• Water Restriction Policy
  Council may apply water restrictions when the available water supply has fallen to a level at which the unrestricted use of water is not in the public interest; or an event leads to an inability to produce sufficient drinking water, creating a planned or urgent need to restrict water use, such as a significant change in raw water quality, major critical infrastructure failure or natural disaster; or other methods, as set out in accordance Chapter 2, Part 3, Division 3 of the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 (the Act).
  

• Water Services Quality and Environmental Management System (QEMS) Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) is committed to maintaining a third-party ISO accredited Quality and Environmental Management System (QEMS) based on the requirements of the following standards: -ISO 9001:2016 Quality Management System; and -ISO 14001:2016 Environmental Management System.
  

• Work Health and Safety Policy
  Townsville City Council (Council) is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of its Councillors, workers and all persons performing work on behalf of Council, including contractors, subcontractors, consultants, volunteers and visitors.
  

• Work Health and Safety Policy Statement
  Townsville City Council is committed to meeting its duties under the Work health and safety Legislation to ensure the health and safety of its staff while they are at work, and to any other people whose health and safety may be affected by Council’s undertakings.