By Angela Dorizas

Councillors across Queensland will study the implications of the new Local Government Act in a six-week seminar series.

More than 500 councillors are expected to attend one-day study seminars organised by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) to consider the ramifications of the Local Government Act 2009, to be implemented on July 1.

LGAQ will hold 30 seminars in a number of venues across the state.

LGAQ president Paul Bell said the sessions would focus on five major sections of the act: roles and responsibilities of mayors, elected members and chief executive officers; conduct and performance of councillors; community planning, financial planning and asset management; financial sustainability and reporting; and the Sustainable Planning Act and its regulations.

“We want to ensure that mayors, councillors and council chief executive officer hit the ground running when the new act comes into force in five months’ time,” Cr Bell said.

“It’s a life-long process to teach an old dog new tricks, but on-going learning and education is must for elected members.

“Whether we are 25-year councillors or a first-termer, we all have to start afresh with this new legislation.”

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