Redland City Council audits reveal vehicle fleet mismanagement

Two audits of the Redland City Council’s $20 million vehicle fleet have revealed significant mismanagement and a lack of oversight. Findings from a leaked 2021 audit and a 2025 audit, obtained via Right to Information laws, indicate that multiple employees received both council vehicles and vehicle allowances, effectively resulting in undeclared pay increases.

The 2021 audit highlighted that allowance amounts and vehicle costs were not formally documented, with some managers receiving thousands of dollars more than council guidelines permitted. Despite suggestions to investigate three employees at that time, the issues persisted into 2025. The more recent audit identified a lack of monitoring controls to ensure car allowances are allocated according to prescribed requirements.

Internal auditors noted a historical absence of quality assurance processes to prevent employees from simultaneously receiving an allowance and using a council-supplied vehicle. The council had previously faced scrutiny regarding its fleet management following a 2022 crash involving former mayor Karen Williams.