Governance Framework

The Sunshine Coast Council Governance Framework explains how Council is governed and how decisions are made, so our community can have confidence that decisions are lawful, transparent, ethical and in the public interest.

Good governance helps ensure Council:

• makes sound decisions
• operates in the public interest
• manages risk responsibly
• uses public resources wisely, and
• is accountable to the community.

The Governance Framework brings together the structures, roles, systems and controls that support decision‑making across Council..

What is governance?

Governance is about how decisions are made and carried out.

At Sunshine Coast Council, governance provides the structure through which Council’s vision and objectives are achieved, within a changing social, economic and environmental context. It describes the systems and controls that support ethical behaviour, manages risk and ensures Council operates effectively and responsibly.

Who makes decisions?

Council decisions are made at different levels, depending on the type and significance of the matter.

This includes:

• Council (elected members) making decisions at formal Council meetings
• the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and senior leaders exercising delegated authority
• managers and employees making operational decisions within their roles and responsibilities.

Clear decision‑making roles help ensure accountability and timely decisions.

How Council plans and sets direction

Council’s long‑term and day‑to‑day decisions are guided by key planning and financial documents, including:

• the Corporate Plan and Operational Plan
• the Budget
• the Planning Scheme
• adopted strategies and plans, and
• advocacy and partnership programs.

Together, these documents set Council’s priorities and guide how services are delivered to the community.

How Council stays accountable

Council uses a range of systems to ensure transparency, oversight and accountability, including:

• public Council meetings and published resolutions
• financial reporting and the Annual Report
• risk and audit reporting
• registers of interests and disclosures
• complaints management processes.

These mechanisms help the community see how decisions are made and how Council is performing.

Ethics, integrity and conduct

Strong ethical standards support good governance.

Council’s governance arrangements include:

• Codes of Conduct for councillors and employees
• complaints management and investigation processes
• internal audit and assurance activities
• people and culture strategies that support respectful and ethical behaviour.

These arrangements help ensure decisions are made fairly and in line with community expectations.

Managing risk and resources

Council manages risk and public resources through:

• risk management and fraud prevention systems
• business continuity and disaster management planning
• financial controls, audits and asset management
• compliance with legislation, local laws and policies.

These controls support the sustainable management of community assets and services.

Information, data and transparency

Council is committed to open and responsible information management.

This includes:

• right to information and privacy processes
• secure management of data and digital systems
• open access to public data where appropriate
• clear governance of information and technology systems.

These arrangements help protect information while supporting transparency and community access.

A framework that supports trust

The Governance Framework does not replace Council policies or laws. Instead, it brings together the key governance arrangements that support how Council works as a whole. By clearly explaining how decisions are made and overseen, the Governance Framework seeks to build trust, confidence and accountability between Council and the Sunshine Coast community.