Queenslanders the winners at LGAQ conference

The Local Government Association of Queensland marked its 130th anniversary at the annual conference in Cairns and celebrated the continuation of the Federal Government’s disaster recovery funding arrangements.

This comes after the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), mayors and councils across the state successfully fought against the Federal Government’s proposed changes to disaster recovery funding arrangements.

This was one of the key messages from the LGAQ Annual Conference in Cairns which emphasised the importance of the strong backing received from the Queensland Government as the LGAQ campaigned against the Commonwealth’s proposed 50-50 funding arrangement split with the States.

The LGAQ welcomed the retention of the current funding contribution of up to 75 per cent so that communities can build back better and stronger if struck by a disaster.

Queensland is Australia’s most disaster-prone State, and the decision ensures the Queensland Government, local governments, and Queenslanders can strengthen preparedness and respond with confidence.

The CEO of McKinlay Shire Council, Trevor Williams, said it was one less thing to worry about.

“The funding gap on 50/50 funding would have McKinlay bankrupt in three years,” Mr Williams said.

The Queensland Government continues to deliver the best outcomes for Queenslanders, and all 77 local governments across the State through the Equal Partners in Government Agreement.

The Agreement ensures state and local governments work together for stronger engagement, better-informed policy development, and more opportunities for councils to influence Government decisions.

This is backed by the Queensland Government’s $300 million 2024-27 Works for Queensland Program which supports the 65 councils outside of South East Queensland, and the 2024-28 Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program with funding of up to $115 million.

The Queensland Government also supports councils and communities through its response to the Depreciation Taskforce report which identifies opportunities to strengthen finance sustainability, asset management and long-term planning.

The report confirms there is no one-size-fits-all approach to depreciation, with councils across Queensland facing different financial and asset management challenges.

The Queensland Government response has identified three early priority reforms which will be completed by 1 May 2027, with other reforms, requiring further planning and coordination across stakeholder bodies, being addressed later.

The Queensland Government is delivering local projects, better infrastructure, enhanced services, more jobs, and a better lifestyle through a stronger economy for Queenslanders now and into the future.

Queenslanders looking for more information about their local government can visit Local Government, Water and Volunteers

Last updated:

2 November 2026