Townsville City Council holds first meeting of 2025: Financial and security concerns

Some “unpalatable decisions” are ahead of Townsville’s councillors as they grapple with financial stress, hinting at potential hits to ratepayers’ pockets as security concerns hit the first council meeting back for 2025.

Townsville City Council first meeting for 2025. Picture: Nikita McGuire

Some “unpalatable decisions” are ahead of Townsville’s councillors as they grapple with “alarming” financial stress, hinting at potential hits to ratepayers’ pockets in the next budget.

The first Townsville City Council meeting of 2025 began slightly ominously, with a noticeable increase in security in the Walker Street forecourt.

Council sources told the Bulletin that staff had requested extra security after a number of concerning comments posted on social media directed at councillors and senior staff.

The meeting began without incident chaired by Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney, who anticipated a “fast-paced and busy year” ahead.

In a Mayoral Minute, Cr Greaney said she was excited to work alongside all councillors in 2025.

“Townsville’s economy and population are expected to continue to grow, bringing new opportunities in employment, education and lifestyle to our city and surrounding region,” she said.

The Treasury report from November and December 2024 was presented to Chambers, with councillors citing concerns over the financial state of the council.

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney walks into Townsville City Council’s first meeting for 2025. Picture: Nikita McGuire

With the cash balance for December at $5.5 million — $26.8 million less than November — Cr Andrew Robinson asked if the council was facing insolvency.

“The numbers that are presented initially may seem quite alarming,” he said.

Cr Robinson reiterated the “growing concerns” for insolvency in the future.

“We need to keep a sharp eye on it,” he said.

Cr Robinson said council “does have a plan” to tackle possible insolvency or cash flow issues, but said they “are sailing close to the wind” in his view.

“We do need to take some action and we may need to make some unpalatable decisions come mid-year budget review, as well as next year’s budget considerations as well,” he said.

Cr Greaney echoed Cr Robinson’s concerns and said most of the councillors would agree big decisions would need to be made in the lead-up to the council’s budget in June.

“Unpalatable’ is a nice way to describe it,” she said.

Also in the meeting, multiple petitions were presented including objections to paid parking, a hot topic in 2024, with council concluding no further action would be taken.

A controversial proposed rollout of parking at The Strand, Palmer Street and The Pimlico Precinct was halted following a council meeting on October 9.

“For one of a better term, it’s done and dusted,” Cr Greaney said.

During general business discussions at the end of the meeting, Cr Paul Jacob called for an investigation into staff culture, citing the resignation of multiple senior staff over the last 10 months since the election of council.

Chief executive Joe McCabe said a three-month culture survey was already in the works, to be conducted soon.

“That’s the first thing to do, is the culture survey and I’ll keep council informed in terms of when it is going to happen and certainly I’ll be showing the results with councillors and there will be a detailed action plan in place in terms of what things need to happen,” he said.

The meeting is the first since Mr McCabe called for the end of social media posts from suspended mayor Troy Thompson, labelling the posts as ‘damaging’.

Originally published as Townsville City Council holds first meeting of 2025: Financial and security concerns