Redland City Council has asked the State Government to include Redland City in a proposed extra public holiday later this year after a State Government decision left Council with no time to consider changing this year’s Ekka Public Holiday.
Mayor Karen Williams said that, for the second year running, the State Government had failed to give affected local government areas adequate time to consider whether to change their show holiday date, following the unfortunate cancellation of the EKKA due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Yesterday Council was provided only a few hours to make a decision and, with no General Meeting scheduled, formally agreeing on a change to the gazetted public holiday within the State’s timeframe was practically impossible,” Cr Williams said.
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“To change our show holiday, Council would need to vote on a new resolution to override its 2013 decision to set all our future show holidays on the Monday of Brisbane Ekka week.
“It is disappointing that affected Councils in the region didn’t have time to consider bringing their own local government areas in line with Brisbane, which will have its public holiday postponed.
“As a result, some surrounding Councils have opted to stay with their planned show day.”
Mayor Williams said she was still looking for ways to support Redlands Coast residents with a holiday they could fully enjoy as well as the business community with the economic benefits this holiday would usual bring.
“Council has this morning written to the Office of Industrial Relations suggesting the State Government may wish to consider an additional public holiday for the affected 11 Council areas in the current COVID lockdown to coincide with the yet-to-be confirmed new Brisbane Show Holiday,” she said.
“The addition of a public holiday would be a decision for the State Government and I have also requested that they, in conjunction with local State MP’s, consult fully with the community, local business and Council and decide on an appropriate date that provides the most benefit to all.”
