The peak body for Queensland councils, the Local Government Association of Queensland, has released a snapshot of candidate data ahead of council election day, March 16.
LGAQ Chief Executive Officer Alison Smith said no one worked harder for their communities than their local councils, and just the retiring mayors alone had given an incredible 216 years’ of service and experience between them.
“Before a single vote is cast, we know that 20 per cent of elected members will leave their roles, having announced they will not run due to retirement plans and/or career changes,” Ms Smith said.
“To all elected members who have served over the 2020-2024 term, thank you for all that you have done for your communities throughout what was a difficult period; you faced challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters head-on, and you can be proud you have contributed to making your communities more liveable.”
The LGAQ will be available for sector-wide media comment on election night.
Contact LGAQ Media Advisor Dan Knowles on 0432 681 664.
2024 LG Elections – Quick Reference Statistics
Number of candidates in total (Mayor, Councillor):
- 1422 (does not include Weipa Town Authority)
- Mayor: 231
- Councillor: 1191 (does not include Weipa Town Authority)
Male/Female split across total candidates (Mayor, Councillor):
- 37% Female, 0.003% Unspecified, 62% Male
- Mayor: 27% Female (62), 73% Male (169)
- Councillor: 40% Female (471), 0.0003% Unspecified (3 total, 2 identify as non-binary, 1 has not specified gender), 60% Male (718).
Number of retiring elected members (Mayor, Councillor):
- 128 elected members (2020 – 2024)
- Mayor: 17
- Councillor: 111
Number of elected members uncontested (Mayor, Councillor):
- 62 elected members
- Mayor: 15
- Councillors: 47
Average age of elected member candidates (Mayor, Councillor):
- 50-55 (53 average age)
- Mayor: 55-59
- Councillor: 50-55
Contests – Divided and Undivided
Local Government with biggest contest for Mayoralty:
- City of Gold Coast & Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council (9 candidates each)
Local Government with biggest contest for Council positions (undivided):
- Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council (20 candidates for 4 vacancies)
Local Government with biggest contest for Council positions (divisional council):
- 3 Councils have 6 candidates for the below divisions.
- Cairns Regional Council; Division 2
- Fraser Coast Regional Council; Division 6
- City of Gold Coast; Division 7
Local Government with largest number of current councillors contesting Mayoralty:
- South Burnett (3)
Mayoral Statistics
Number of former Mayors nominated as a candidate - either Mayor/Councillor:
- 18 (11 contesting as Mayor, 7 contesting as Councillor)
Number of Mayoral Candidates under 25:
- 1 candidate out of 231 total.
Number of Mayoral Candidates over 65:
- 58 candidates out of 231 total.
- 75-79: 7 candidates
- 70-74: 22 candidates
- 65-69: 29 candidates
Oldest Mayoral Candidates:
- 7 people between 75-79
Number of years of service for retiring/not recontesting Mayors:
- 216
Longest Serving Mayor:
- John Wharton, Richmond Shire Council
- has 27 years as Mayor (since 1997) but overall, 33 years as an elected member (elected as Councillor in 1991)
Number of Sitting Mayors Returned:
- 13 (plus 2 councillors)
Number of Sitting Mayors Retiring:
- 17
Number of sitting Mayors recontesting:
- 58
Number of Sitting Mayors re-contesting as Councillor:
- 2
Councillor Statistics
Number of Councillor Candidates under 25:
- 19 candidates out of 1192 total.
Number of Councillor Candidates over 65:
- 179 candidates out of 1192 total.
- 80-84: 3 candidates
- 75-79: 14 candidates
- 70-74: 54 candidates
- 65-69: 108 candidates
Number of years of service for retiring Councillors:
- 991 years
Number of Sitting Councillors Returned Unopposed:
- 42 Councillors. Five community challengers have also been elected unopposed.
Number of Sitting Councillors Retiring:
- 97 Councillors
Number of sitting Councillors re-contesting for Mayor:
- 39 Councillors (2 already elected unopposed)
For more information, please contact:
Dan Knowles, Media Advisor
Phone: 0432 681 664
Local Government Association of Queensland