Governance adviser appointed by Queensland government after complaints

“I have also previously spoken of my personal belief that, at the very least, a governance adviser is needed.”

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A Redland City Council spokesperson said an adviser was not an administrator or a mediator, and would give advice to the councillors and the mayor before reporting to Blagoev on to how to best support the council.

“This advice may include topics such as effective leadership, effective communication processes, operating as a cohesive unit, social media usage, and the ongoing wellbeing of elected representatives,” they said.

It has not been decided who the adviser will be, but they will work with the mayor and councillors until the end of May 2026, the spokesperson said.

They said the adviser would work part-time at the cost of the council.

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A spokesperson for the department said the adviser will help address “challenges currently affecting the Council’s ability to serve its community”.

“This decision was made following a request from the council and in consultation with Councillors and the Mayor,” they said.

A review of the council’s organisational structure called for by the mayor is currently under way, as is a second operational restructure.

Meanwhile, Mitchell is in a court battle with the council’s top legal officer, Andrew Ross, who she has sued for defamation over an email sent to staff that allegedly outlined complaints he had about her.

Deputy Mayor Julie Talty, who is acting mayor while Mitchell is away for the rest of the week at a family funeral, was contacted for comment but did not reply.

The Department of Local Government was also contacted for comment.

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