In all the hustle and bustle of daily goings-on, it’s easy to forget basics like how a good set of checks and balances can do wonders for strategy and accountability.

CEO column: "Contrary to public opinion, rates are not a growth tax."

At its core, the LGAQ is a creature of Queensland councils. It has been since its beginning 122 years ago. We are a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee.

The scope of the issues that councils deal with is growing ever more complex and difficult, even if the bulk of that activity remains unappreciated by the federal and state governments.

When it comes to protecting the interests of local councils and their communities, the courts are often where the big battles are fought.

The investigation by Peak Services into this industry was spot on: Queensland can support the roll out of five to eight anaerobic digestion plants to produce energy from waste.

The Palaszczuk Government’s unveiling of its waste levy legislation has local councils continuing to grapple with how they are expected to collect this new tax for the State.

An open letter to Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and Decentralisation.

In a week of upheaval in Australian politics, it was interesting to watch the leadership drama in Canberra from the idyllic north Queensland community of Palm Island, where the LGAQ Policy Executive met this week.

Canberra has an obligation to help support ALL local communities and at the moment that support is simply not good enough.

Discussion around the ravages of drought across half of the Queensland land mass has been front and centre in the media the last few weeks, as it should.

It is time to tackle the difficult and often thorny issue of the role of the Crime and Corruption Commission in the daily life of Queensland councils.

At its heart, the core responsibility of the LGAQ is to protect and promote the interests of its 77 members

Our latest innovation roadshow highlights technologies that help solve real problems but can also rectify problems that councils never knew existed.

Now is an incredible place to be in history, riding the next great wave of technology and interconnectedness. Action we take now as a sector will shape how our communities live in the future.

Each year we try to get that little bit better in understanding the needs and aspirations of each member council. It’s a journey and not a destination but one we are absolutely committed to pursuing.

I will simply say that it’s better to be riding the wave than standing underneath it. That’s the LGAQ approach to innovation - harness the beast and make it serve us.

Queensland and Australia’s indigenous councils really were front and centre on the big stage this week.

LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam: Being a numbers man from a long way back I’m happy to report that our member councils are $61 million better off after Tuesday’s State Budget.

I’ve said often in this column how much I value my time on the ground with our members. There’s no better way of gauging the temperature around an issue and its impact.