The 126th Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Annual Conference has kicked off in Cairns with hundreds of council delegates from across Queensland converging on the Cairns Convention Centre.
Delegates from 75 of the state’s 77 councils, as well as observers Weipa and Norfolk Island, will join the Annual Conference which starts on Monday 17 October with the Indigenous Leaders Forum and the Roads and Transport Forum.
Tuesday will include the official opening of the conference as well as presentations on topics including the housing crisis and climate resilience before the Annual Conference culminates on Wednesday with debate on motions canvassing issues of critical importance to councils and their local communities like roads, housing and renewable energy.
Among the 857 attendees are 69 mayors, 333 deputy mayors and councillors and 68 CEOs.
LGAQ President, Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said the conference was a great opportunity to share ideas and solutions with fellow councillors.
“While some of the challenges we face are unchanged, new ones continue to emerge, particularly in the form of the rising cost of living for our residents and our communities,” Cr Jamieson said.
“Arguably, one of the biggest challenges we are confronting as the level of government closest to the community is the housing crisis.
“While this is the focus of a dedicated session on the conference program, I have no doubt it will feature in wider discussions a number of times during our time together in Cairns.”
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning welcomed colleagues from local governments throughout the state to this year’s host city.
“After more than two years of operating under the cloud of COVID-19 restrictions, I am happy to say that the green shoots of recovery are now blossoming as visitors return to our city,” Cr Manning said.
“This annual event is a critically important forum that can help us find better ways to serve our communities through the collective sharing of our ideas, challenges and achievements.”
For more information, please contact:
Dan Knowles, Media Advisor
Phone: 0432 681 664
Local Government Association of Queensland