Policies

This policy establishes a clear framework for meeting the cultural heritage duty of care, fostering respectful partnerships with Traditional Owners, and embedding cultural safety and reconciliation into Council operations.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Policy(PDF, 162KB)

This advertising policy is to ensure that expenditure on advertising, placed by Council in various mediums, is appropriate and in the interest of the public in line with section 197 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.

• Advertising Spending Policy(PDF, 174KB)

The objective of this policy is to provide clear guidance regarding the appointment of a person as Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in accordance with Section 195 of the Local Government Act 2009.

• Appointing of Acting Chief Executive Officer Policy(PDF, 198KB)

In accordance with s105 of the Local Government Act 2009, Council has chosen to establish an Audit and Risk Committee which will meet no less than two, preferably three, times per year.

• Audit and Risk Committee Policy(PDF, 221KB)
• Audit and Risk Committee Charter(PDF, 213KB)

This Policy provides guidance to Councillors and employees for appropriate standards and their responsibilities during the caretaker period prior to the quadrennial Queensland Local Government Elections.

• Caretaker Period Policy(PDF, 302KB)

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) shall manage the operations of the organisation effectively, so that the organisation meets the objectives set out in its Corporate and Operational Plans, and complies with all contractual and legislative requirements.

• Chief Executive Officer Performance Appraisal Policy

The purpose of this Policy is to demonstrate Council’s commitment to recognising and managing the risks associated with providing a safe, supportive, protective and healthy environment for children and young people receiving services and/or participating in activities conducted by or on behalf of the Council.

• Child Protection Risk Management Policy(PDF, 234KB)

This Policy establishes the framework for the implementation, operation, and management of the Council’s Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems and recording devices operated within the Hinchinbrook Shire Local Government Area (LGA).

The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that the possibility of injury from falling coconuts in parks and public areas under Council’s control is minimised.

• Coconut Palm Management Policy(PDF, 323KB)

The objective of this Policy is to set out how Council will manage a complaint (also information or matter) that involves or may involve corrupt conduct of its public official as defined in the Crime and Corruption Act 2001 (CC Act). For the purpose of this Policy, Council’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is its public official.

• Complaints Against a Public Official Policy(PDF, 218KB)

This policy outlines Council’s approach to managing complaints about the inappropriate conduct of Councillors, as required under section 150AE of the Local Government Act 2009 (Qld) (the LGA).

• Councillor Conduct Investigation Policy(PDF, 241KB)

For avoidance of doubt, this Policy is in addition to the requirements and processes imposed upon Councillors and Lobbyists by the Integrity Act 2009 (Qld).

• Councillor Contact with a Lobbyist, Developer and Submitter Policy(PDF, 258KB)

The purpose of the Councillors Expenses Reimbursement Policy is to ensure accountability and transparency in the reimbursement of expenses incurred by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors.

• Councillors Expenses Reimbursement Policy(PDF, 237KB)

The purpose of this Policy is to ensures that annual remuneration for current elected members of Hinchinbrook Shire Council (Council) is paid in accordance with the guidelines set by the Local Government Remuneration Commission (the Commission) and defines the parameters surrounding Councillors taking a leave of absence.

• Councillor Remuneration Policy(PDF, 157KB)

This Data Breach Policy outlines the steps Council will take to respond to a data breach, including suspected or confirmed eligible data breaches.

This Policy applies to any existing or planned borrowing activity to be undertaken by Council over the current, and next nine, financial years.

• Debt Policy(PDF, 129KB)

This Policy provides Council with the principles and guidelines to carry out works on Council maintained unsealed roads to minimise public concerns related from dust nuisance and to ensure consistency in assessing eligibility of dust suppression applications.

• Dust Suppression on Council Maintained Roads Policy(PDF, 218KB)

This policy outlines Council’s mandatory requirements for the provision and receipt of gifts, benefits, entertainment, and hospitality.

The purpose of this Policy is to assist Council in its decision-making, performance, transparency and accountability by effectively managing both potential opportunities and adverse effects through the implementation of a structured and systematic approach to risk management.

• Enterprise Risk Management Policy(PDF, 170KB)

The purpose of this Policy is to establish a control environment for Council and Authorised Officers to enter into transactions with suppliers.

• Financial Delegations Policy(PDF, 171KB)

This Policy sets out Council’s ability to provide concessions to property and business owners when the payment of rates and charges will cause financial hardship to the property or business owner.

• Financial Hardship Policy(PDF, 236KB)

This Policy demonstrates Council’s commitment to ensuring that the community is aware of Council’s standards in relation to fraud and corruption, and its intention to conduct its business with integrity, transparency, honesty and fairness and to comply with all relevant laws, regulations, codes, corporate standards and best practice standards.

Council recognises, respects and values the contribution that individuals, businesses, community groups, sporting, not-for-profit groups and organisations make within our community and are committed to developing and maintaining community capacity by creating active, inclusive, connected and empowered communities.

• Grant Policy(PDF, 269KB)

Visit Hinchinbrook Community Grants for more information.

The purpose of this policy is to affirm Council’s unwavering commitment to upholding, protecting, and promoting human rights as enshrined in the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). As a public entity, Council is legally and ethically obligated to act and make decisions in a manner that is compatible with human rights and to give genuine and proper consideration to relevant rights in all aspects of governance, service delivery, and community engagement.

• Human Rights Policy(PDF, 185KB)

To comply with the Local Government Act 2009 (s105) and the Local Government Regulation 2012 (s207) which require each local government to establish an independent, effective and efficient internal audit function to assess and evaluate the control measures that the Hinchinbrook Shire Council has adopted and to manage the risks to which the council's operations are exposed and support bcal government principles.

• Internal Audit Policy(PDF, 5MB)

This Policy sets the guidelines for the investment of Council’s cash holdings, meeting the requirements of the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act 1982 and its regulation, supporting Council’s investment and risk philosophy.

• Investment Policy(PDF, 152KB)

The purpose of the Policy is to establish protocols for managing communication between the Council and the media so as to ensure coordinated, coherent, accurate and reliable presentation of Council information, so that Council maintains credibility, integrity and customer confidence, and Council's corporate values and brand are reinforced.

• Media Engagement Policy(PDF, 3MB)

This policy has been established to provide a consistent and transparent approach for the naming of Council owned and controlled assets and facilities, including roads, parks, reserves, built assets, landmarks and facilities within the Hinchinbrook Shire and in accordance with the parameters and requirements of the Australian/New Zealand Rural and Urban Addressing Standard AS/NZ4819:2011.

• Naming of Council Assets and Facilities Policy(PDF, 3MB)

These standing orders and meeting procedures set out certain procedures to ensure Council principles are reflected in the conduct of local government meetings and advisory committee meetings. It is not intended that these standing orders and meeting procedures will deal with all aspects of meeting conduct but only those required to strengthen public confidence in Local Government to deal with the conduct of Councillors in meetings. These meeting procedures do not apply to meetings of Council’s Audit and Risk Committee.

• Standing Orders and Meeting Procedures Policy(PDF, 471KB)

This Policy details Council’s requirements for footpath inspections. 

• Pathway Inspection Policy(PDF, 194KB)

The purpose of this policy is to outline Council’s commitment to maintaining a culture that respects each individual’s right to privacy and sets out Council’s position and principles in relation to the management of personal information as required by the Information Privacy Act 2009 (IP Act), Information Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2023 (IPOLA) and the management of confidential information as required by the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act).

• Privacy Policy(PDF, 276KB)

Council has a responsibility to ensure assets within the road reserve are maintained in a safe condition for all road users.

• Private Works in Road Reserve Policy(PDF, 548KB)

This Policy sets out Council’s principles and mandatory requirements for the acquisition of goods and services, and the conduct of all procurement activities, including the disposal of valuable non-current assets.

Psychological risk management is the responsibility of all who work at Council. All personnel, including contractors and visitors, are expected to comply with the spirit and letter of Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, this Policy, and procedures and standards for all matters relating to psychological health and safety. Safeguarding workers’ psychological health and wellbeing is an important part of Council’s safety management approach, and every effort will be made in the prevention, early identification, and management of psychosocial risks.

• Psychosocial Health and Wellbeing Policy(PDF, 124KB)

Council is committed to fostering an ethical and transparent culture. In pursuit of this, Council values the disclosure of information regarding suspected wrongdoing in the public sector so it can be properly assessed and, if necessary, appropriately investigated.

This Policy sets Council’s framework for the recovery of overdue rates and charges.

• Rate Recovery Policy(PDF, 187KB)

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Provide a foundation for records management within the Hinchinbrook Shire Council (Council) ensuring records are managed in accordance with relevant legislation, policies and guidelines, including the Queensland Public Records Act 2002;
• Set the standards and outline best practices for recordkeeping within Council, enabling public records and the corporate memory to be maintained in accordance with the Queensland Public Records Act 2002; and
• Provide guidance and direction on the creation and management of records ensuring practices meet business needs, accountability and stakeholder expectations.

This policy should be read in conjunction with the Council’s Records Management Framework and Records Management Procedure.

• Records Management Policy(PDF, 375KB)

This policy seeks to identify target groups and establish guidelines to assess requests for rating and utility charge concessions in order to alleviate the impact of local government rates and charges, particularly in relation to not for profit and/or community organisations and ratepayers who are in receipt of an approved Government pension.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council (Council) is committed to providing effective guidelines to manage the use of recreational vehicles and off-road vehicles on Local Government Controlled Areas to align with the expectations and interests of residents of the Hinchinbrook Shire.

• Recreational and Off-Road Vehicle Use Policy(PDF, 149KB)

In compliance with Australian Accounting Standards, Council will record and disclose in its audited annual financial statements, the existence of related party relationships and any transactions or outstanding balances with such parties.

This Policy sets out Council’s principles for the levying of rates, fees and charges, and the application of eligible concessions.

In accordance with the Right to Information Act 2009 (RTI Act) and the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld), Council is responsible for administering the right of access to information in the possession of Council or under Council’s control unless, on balance, it would be contrary to the public interest to do so.

• Right to Information Policy(PDF, 166KB)

The Policy looks at the management of the road network encompassing the keeping of an accurate road register, allocation of road hierarchy and maintenance response times and service levels applicable to the road hierarchy.

• Road Management Policy(PDF, 319KB)

The purpose of this Policy is to outline processes to establish and maintain a system of rural and urban addressing and to provide a clear and consistent understanding of property addressing and Council’s application of it.

• Rural and Urban Addressing Policy(PDF, 183KB)

The purpose of this Policy is to set out the standards of behaviour expected in relation to the professional use of social media on behalf of Hinchinbrook Shire Council, and the use of social media by Council employees and Elected Members.

• Social Media Policy(PDF, 5MB)

This Policy details Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s requirements for the design, construction and maintenance of vehicle accesses and the removal or upgrade of unapproved vehicle accesses.

This Policy and its associated documentation apply to vegetation under Council’s responsibility located on public land within the Hinchinbrook Shire.

• Vegetation Management on Public Land(PDF, 203KB)

This Policy is to provide clear guidance to Council officers receiving requests from ratepayers for water connections and/or water meters to a ratepayer’s property.

• Water Connections Policy(PDF, 203KB)

This Policy aims to facilitate an effective and efficient means for Council to provide relief to ratepayers by partially remitting water consumption charges in cases of financial hardship resulting from an undetectable water leak which has occurred on a ratepayer’s property.

• Water Leak Relief Policy(PDF, 136KB)