Disaster funding changes disastrous: QLD councils

Councils want to use own workers in disaster clean-up.

29 October, 2014

Stalled $2.1bn Roads to Recovery funding finally jump-started

Anger over length of legislative delay.

2 September, 2014

$120m row flares over QLD’s Royalties for Regions

Councils dig-in over state government raid on infrastructure revenue.

1 September, 2014

Australia’s e-waste junk pile risks burying councils

Tonnage of turfed devices rivals regular rubbish.

24 July, 2014

QLD Budget cuts to pensioner rates subsidies slammed

The local government sector in Queensland has hit out at the Campbell Newman government’s 2014-15 State Budget because of unspecified cuts to pensioner rate concessions.

5 June, 2014

Queensland councils demand legislative cover from rates litigants

The Queensland Supreme Court’s recent judgement that Mackay Regional Council’s application of a differential ratings system was invalid has prompted the state’s local government sector to call for new laws to protect revenue.

2 June, 2014

Revolt over $925 mil Budget raid on councils

Rates rises and big cuts to local community services set to roll as Financial Assistance Grants frozen.

16 May, 2014

Landmark one-stop-shop for mobile apps catered to mayors and councillors

Councils in Queensland have welcomed the launch of a new digital tool that allows mayors and councillors to sort through mobile apps designed to improve their operations and productivity.

12 May, 2014

New Queensland planning reforms spruiked as economic stimulus

Ambitious reforms to demystify “complicated” planning laws are being spruiked by the Campbell Newman government in a long-term bid to boost economic growth across the Sunshine State.

18 March, 2014

Abbott’s push into Northern Australia gathers local support

A drive by Prime Minister Tony Abbott to foster greater economic development in the top of the continent through a White Paper on Northern Australia has been welcomed by Queensland councils, who hope it will produce better infrastructure and minimise regulatory overheads.

3 March, 2014

Queensland councils cleared to take out bat colonies

By Paul Hemsley The Queensland government has given councils the all-clear to take aim at “problem” flying foxes in an effort to mitigate the potential health hazards they present. The approval follows a long campaign by councils which demanded that the state government cut “red tape” that previously hindered them from shifting flying fox infestations. […]

3 December, 2013

Queensland councils take control of infrastructure smarts

By Paul Hemsley Queensland councils are to take full control of the state’s specialist infrastructure and engineering advisory service for local government. The Queensland Treasury Corporation has agreed to relinquish its stake in the successful joint venture, Local Government Infrastructure Services Pty Ltd (LGIS), and will hand over its management and its 50 per cent […]

18 November, 2013

Newman spruiks regional relocation for public service

By Paul Hemsley Queensland Premier Campbell Newman has talked-up the prospect of moving substantial parts of the state’s bureaucracy out of Brisbane and into regional areas in plans to entice half of Sunshine State’s population to live outside its south-east corner within the next 30 years. Dubbed the ‘Queensland Plan’, the long term vision aims […]

24 October, 2013

Queensland frees flood maps to ease premiums pressure

By Julian Bajkowski Flood affected councils and residents in Queensland are hoping that a landmark deal brokered by the Newman Government to give insurers access to free flood map data will place heavy downward pressure on premiums that skyrocketed after successive floods. Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister, Andrew Cripps, has announced that a much […]

17 October, 2013