Well folks, that is a wrap on another successful Local Government Association of Queensland Annual Conference. Annual Conference was conducted in more challenging circumstances this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but we made it through and that is a tribute to you all, our members, and to the wonderful LGAQ staff who have worked tirelessly to make sure we could come together.
We heard from inspirational and informative speakers, shared ideas with colleagues and conducted five hours of important debate to pass motions that will guide your association’s agenda over the next 12 months. Importantly, you voted to elect a President to guide the Association over the next four years, with Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson securing a second term. Congratulations Mark. He thanked members for placing their confidence in him to continue to lead the LGAQ through this challenging period. Read more of what he had to say here.
The conference may be over but that means the hard work is only just beginning for the LGAQ as we act on your resolutions and advocate to make them a reality.
Major parties make their pitches
This year’s conference was also held in the penultimate week of the State Election campaign – something that will happen every four years from here thanks to the new fixed four-year parliamentary terms - with both major parties making time to address members on their plans for our level of government should they win power after the October 31 State Election. It was great to have Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on hand to not only open the conference but to make some major funding announcements to kick off proceedings like her commitment to the continuation of Works for Queensland as well as a similar program for South East Queensland councils.
Our rural and remote councils will also now have access to grants of $75,000 each to pursue targeted local mental health initiatives after the Premier committed to the rural mental health ask contained in the Battleplan for Queensland Local Communities. Other funding commitments from Labor include extra funding for cluster fencing, the QCoast2100 program and a $280 million commitment to continue funding under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
Thanks also to the Premier and Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe for committing to rolling back changes to the way mayoral and councillor vacancies are filled should Labor be successful in the party’s re-election bid.
“… a re-elected Palaszczuk Labor Government would also amend the Local Government Act so that vacancies in the first year of the quadrennial are filled by by-election for Mayoral and Councillor vacancies in divided local governments and mayoral vacancies in undivided local governments,” Minister Hinchliffe told the conference during the State Election panel.
Shadow Minister Ann Leahy attended to give the Opposition address, making some major commitments to councils should the LNP be successful in winning power after next Saturday’s election. Works for Queensland – and the SEQ equivalent – would also be funded under an LNP Government, Ms Leahy told the conference. Ms Leahy committed to reviewing certain local government legislative reforms should the LNP form government, to maintaining the waste levy and to addressing water security issues in rural and regional towns across Queensland, starting with a statewide water asset audit and then the formulation of a 30-year water security plan, among other commitments. The LNP will also wind back changes to the filling of mayoral and councillor vacancies.
Final report card is out
The LGAQ released its final State Election report card on Thursday, following these commitments. Labor and the LNP are tied in first place with a final ‘A-’ rating, slightly ahead of the Katter’s Australian Party. Read the report card for yourself here.
Bush Councils Compact
The LGAQ secured the support of all major parties to developing a Bush Councils Compact to ensure they take the needs of bush communities into account when making policy and legislative decisions. Following feedback from members during the Rural and Remote segment at Conference, the LGAQ is seeking further input from councils. More information on this has been sent to Mayors via an EDM. We look forward to hearing your suggestions as we work to ensure this compact becomes a reality.