The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has prepared a number of resources, tools and training options to assist councils with community obligations required under the new Local Government Act.

LGAQ CEO, Greg Hallam, said the effect of the new act and its accompanying regulations would be to bring councils closer to their communities.

"The act requires every Queensland council to prepare a long-term Community Plan by December 2011 and to engage with the community to develop this vision for their local government area," Mr Hallam said.

"Additionally, each council is also required to have a Community Engagement Policy in place and to be able to demonstrate how they engaged with their local community in developing the Community Plan," he said.

Resources developed for councils' use by the LGAQ are: a Community Plan Development Guide; a Community Plan Development Guide "Snapshot"; and, a Community Engagement Policy Development Guide

The guides give step-by-step leads to the plans and policies.

Another suite of LG Online resources has also been developed and will continue to be developed to provide more detail and further assist councils to meet the legislative requirements.

The LGAQ will provide a range of training and education activities in relation to the legislation and community plan and community engagement policy and processes, tailored to the needs of each council.

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