Local Government, Queensland Government

21/07/2026

More fun is waiting in the Lockyer Valley!

Littleton Park in Gatton and Lions Park in Laidley have been upgraded with new, Australian-made play equipment, creating safer and more inclusive spaces for local children and families to enjoy.

Backed by $500,000 from the Queensland Government and delivered by the Lockyer Valley Regional Council, the upgrades also include shade sails to help protect families from the Queensland sun.

Check out some picture of the upgrades at Lions Park in Laidley and start planning your next family adventure to test our the equipment yourself!

14/07/2026

Applications are now open for the $50M Local Digital Priority Projects funding program!

To all eligible local governments, organisations, and businesses - now's your chance to make a real impact on the future of South East Queensland.

From today, you can apply for support towards projects like:
✅ Public Wi-Fi solutions
✅ Connectivity upgrades
✅ Digital skills programs
✅ Innovation and jobs creation

Apply by 5pm, Monday 24 August 2026.
To find out whether you're eligible, visithttps://www.qld.gov.au/local-digital-priority-projects.

08/07/2026

Celebrating 50 Years of Deadly: NAIDOC Week 2026 💛❤️🖤

As we celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC Week, we recognise the strength, resilience, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We're proud to have supported Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council with $600,000 through Works for Queensland to upgrade their Town Hall.

The improvements include enhanced disability access, interior renovations, upgraded security, digitalisation of the hall, and a refurbished kitchen, creating a more accessible, modern, and functional community space.

Congratulations to the Cherbourg community on this significant milestone and the completion of these fantastic upgrades.

📸 Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council

30/06/2026

We’re proud to partner with Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council to deliver a refreshed and more resilient council administration building for the community.

With $1.5 million in funding through the Works for Queensland program, the refurbishment included:
🏠 A new roof
🪟 Replacement glass windows and security screens
🧱 Realigned office spaces
🎥 Security cameras and alarms
⚡ Upgraded electrical systems
☀️ Solar panels.

These upgrades will help create a safer, more comfortable and sustainable workspace for council staff, supporting them to continue the important work they do every day for the Kowanyama community.

17/06/2026

Share your feedback on Queensland’s councillor conduct framework.

A Parliamentary Inquiry is underway looking at the operation and effectiveness of the councillor conduct framework, including the role and functions of the Office of the Independent Assessor and Councillor Conduct Tribunal.

The Inquiry will support work to ensure the councillor conduct framework is fair and effective.
Find out more and have your say via: https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-Committees/Committees/Committee-Details?cid=267&id=8589

Have your say on the operation and effectiveness of Queensland's councillor conduct framework.
The Local Government, Small Business and Customer Service Committee is conducting an inquiry into how complaints about councillor conduct are managed and reviewed in Queensland.
The inquiry will examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the Office of the Independent Assessor and the Councillor Conduct Tribunal, as well as options to improve integrity support, review processes and the overall operation of the framework.
The committee is inviting submissions from interested members of the community.

Learn more and make a submission https://loom.ly/QxJNQ3Q.

08/06/2026

Can you guess where Rob and Mel were last week? 🤔

📍 Located in the western coast of the Cape York Peninsula, this location is rich in Indigenous culture.

🎣 It sits near the Edward River and is hot spot for fishing and camping.

🐚 This community’s name is often translated to ‘place of many shells’.

If you guessed Pormpuraaw, you would be correct!

Rob and Mel were on the ground to deliver an information session on Empowering Councils amendments, visit some project sites and check in with the council, as part of our regular program of visits to Queensland councils.

Thanks to Janelle, Gus and the team from Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council for showing us around!

02/06/2026

We’re a big bee-liever in our people! 🐝

Congratulations to Scott (and his bees!) from the Grants and Program Management team for winning second place in the Amber Honey category at the Brookfield Show. 🏆

In a wonderful full-circle moment, Scott, who helps deliver funding to show societies across Queensland, saw his prize-winning honey displayed right next to a newly completed annex at the Brookfield Showgrounds. This annex was funded through a government commitment to upgrade infrastructure at the showgrounds.

On show day, the annex proudly showcased children’s artwork and will serve as a multipurpose storage facility for the rest of the year. 🎨

It’s one of three projects funded by the government commitment at the grounds, with a total investment of $150,000.

Upgrades to the administration building and the cement flooring of the poultry pavilion are also on the way and expected to be completed later this year.

Next stop for Scott and his honey? The Ekka! 🎡

01/06/2026

What a week it was for our Local Government team!

Last week, our staff proudly represented the department at major events across Queensland, showcasing their expertise and commitment to supporting local communities.

🏆 2026 LGMA Awards for Excellence: We were thrilled to celebrate the best of local government initiatives across Queensland, recognising the diverse communities and environments they serve. A special congratulations to Scenic Rim Regional Council, winners of the Excellence in Collaboration Award for their outstanding Scenic Rim Eat Local Movement program.

✈️ LGAQ Bush Councils Convention: Our Local Government leaders headed to Longreach to listen and learn from rural, regional, and remote communities about the unique challenges they face and the opportunities for growth. A highlight of the convention? Watching Game 1 of State of Origin projected onto a Qantas plane at the iconic Qantas Founders Museum - even if the result wasn’t in our favour!

A huge thank you to our incredible staff for representing the department with such professionalism and dedication. You are our greatest asset! 👏

28/05/2026

Out and about with our Local Government team!

This month, Steve and Owen visited Croydon Shire Council and Etheridge Shire Council as part of our regular program of visits to all 77 Queensland councils.

During their visit, they delivered important updates to council staff on the Empowering Councils legislative amendments and discussed key local government priorities.

While in Croydon, the team also had the chance to explore some local landmarks, including Big Gilbert’s Dragon, a large-scale replica of a native agamid lizard, and the Chinese Temple, where they lit incense.

A big thank you to both councils for your hospitality, and to Jacqui Cresswell, CEO of Croydon Shire, for the warm welcome!

26/05/2026

It’s State of Origin game day! 🏉

Queensland’s State of Origin stars come from communities across our state, and tonight they’ll be playing for glory surrounded by 80,000 fans at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Queensland communities are stronger together, and our Maroons are a great example of this. Our players herald from both regional towns and the big city, with a diversity of ages, cultures and beliefs.

Maroons’ winger Selwyn Cobbo is from Cherbourg, a town of approximately 1,194 people. Tonight, he’ll take to the field in front of a crowd more than 67 times this!

Although our players come from across the state, they are united by one truth.

The belief that Queensland is the greatest place to live on the planet. And that’s a belief we can all get behind!

So, wherever you are tonight, whether you’re in Brisbane or Bundaberg, Mackay or Mt Isa, or anywhere in between, turn on the TV at 8pm, don your team colours and support our mighty Maroons! 🟥