Project background
Councils in Queensland are responsible for a range of regulatory functions that are administered through various tools such as local laws, planning schemes, and State legislation.
Regulation is often necessary to achieve social, environmental, and economic objectives. The intent of regulation is to protect the health, safety, amenity and environment of the community but council also needs to consider that regulation it isn’t deterring, inhibiting or prohibiting opportunities in the community.
With the need to undertake a comprehensive review of our current local laws comes the opportunity to take a holistic view of regulation and how, as a council and a city, we can truly strive for the community vision of a city of opportunity for all.
Project Timeline
Estimated timeframes for the project as a whole are as shown in the above image. More detailed timeline breakdowns for step 1 (policy) and step 3 (local laws) can be found further below. Please note these timeframes are subject to change.
How will we do this?
We need to update the current Compliance and Enforcement Policy so it includes council’s overall position on regulation, with a risk-based approach, and not just how we respond to non-compliance.
The updated policy will then guide the review of local laws to ensure we embed that risk-based approach, for example, more effort and paperwork will be required for high-risk activities and less effort and paperwork for low-risk activities.
The Strategic Regulation Project involves 3 key steps:
Step 1 - Policy
Step 1 involves updating our Compliance and Enforcement Policy to be more holistic on what council’s position on regulation is.
Please see below the timeline and stages of how we will do this.
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - active
January - June 2025
Detailed research and analysis are undertaken.
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Timeline item 2 - incomplete
Mid 2025
Proposed targeted community consultation with Community Panel and key interest groups such as Ipswich Youth Advisory Council.
Should consultation occur at this stage, Community Panel members will be consulted. If you would like to have your say in the policy phase of the project, please sign up to the Community Panel by clicking on the link below.
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Timeline item 3 - incomplete
Mid 2025
Further development of draft policy.
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Timeline item 4 - incomplete
August - September 2025
Updated policy submitted to committee and council meetings for consideration.
Report back to stakeholders on engagement findings and new approved policy.
As part of Step 1, targeted consultation to inform policy updates may occur.
This consultation is proposed to be undertaken through the Community Panel and with key interest groups such as the Ipswich Youth Advisory Council (IYAC).
If you wish to be consulted on the policy, please sign up to the community panel using the link below.
As part of Step 3, community wide consultation will take place to inform the creation of a new suite of local laws. This is scheduled to be undertaken in late 2025.
A second round of community wide consultation to review the proposed draft laws is estimated to take place in mid-late 2026.
Step 2 - Process
Step 2 involves council focusing internally to update our process for making local laws ensuring a more contemporary approach.
No community consultation will be undertaken during Step 2.
As part of Step 1, targeted consultation to inform policy updates may occur.
This consultation is proposed to be undertaken through the Community Panel and with key interest groups such as the Ipswich Youth Advisory Council (IYAC).
If you wish to be consulted on the policy, please sign up to the community panel using the link below.
As part of Step 3, community wide consultation will take place to inform the creation of a new suite of local laws. This is scheduled to be undertaken in late 2025.
A second round of community wide consultation to review the proposed draft laws is estimated to take place in mid-late 2026.
Step 3 - Local Laws
Step 3 involves creating a new suite of local laws to replace our existing ones.
Please see below the timeline and stages of how we will do this.
Timeline
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Timeline item 1 - active
January - July 2025
Detailed research and analysis are undertaken, along with internal consultation.
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Timeline item 2 - incomplete
Late 2025
Whole community consultation undertaken.
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Timeline item 3 - incomplete
Early 2026
New local law framework considered for approval.
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Timeline item 4 - incomplete
March 2026 - August 2026
Drafting of local laws.
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Timeline item 5 - incomplete
September 2026
Report to council with draft laws to commence formal local law-making process.
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Timeline item 6 - incomplete
October 2026 - February 2027
Whole community consultation including anti-competitive consultation and state interest checks undertaken.
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Timeline item 7 - incomplete
March 2027
Report to council with consultation outcomes for consideration of final laws with commencement date identified.
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Timeline item 8 - incomplete
April 2027
Gazettal notice published for commencement of laws, Minister notification and council website and registers updated with new laws.
Loop closed with all stakeholders.
As part of Step 1, targeted consultation to inform policy updates may occur.
This consultation is proposed to be undertaken through the Community Panel and with key interest groups such as the Ipswich Youth Advisory Council (IYAC).
If you wish to be consulted on the policy, please sign up to the community panel using the link below.
As part of Step 3, community wide consultation will take place to inform the creation of a new suite of local laws. This is scheduled to be undertaken in late 2025.
A second round of community wide consultation to review the proposed draft laws is estimated to take place in mid-late 2026.
Acknowledgement of Country
Ipswich City Council respectfully
acknowledges the Traditional Owners, the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul People of
the Yugara/Yagara Language Group, as custodians of the land and waters we
share. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, as the keepers of
the traditions, customs, cultures and stories of proud peoples.
Phone: (07) 3810 6666
Email: communityengagement@ipswich.qld.gov.au
Postal: PO Box 191, Ipswich QLD 4305, Australia
Join the Community Panel
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