A survey undertaken by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has received input from more than 20,000 Queenslanders on the issues that are front of mind ahead of the State Election.
It comes as representatives from all 77 councils across Queensland arrive in Brisbane to attend the LGAQ’s 128th Annual Conference and AGM, where State Premier Steven Miles and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli are due to address the sector and outline their priorities if elected on 26 October.
LGAQ CEO, Alison Smith, said that Queenslanders consistently viewed their council as the most trusted level of government, focusing on grass roots issues, and the association’s survey showed Queenslanders supported the call of councils for better funding to enhance liveability.
“More than 20,000 voters surveyed through the LGAQ’s Vote for Local website platform throughout the campaign have indicated local infrastructure, cost of living, as well as energy and community transformation as their issues of most concern,” Ms Smith said.
“Councils are on the frontline of these challenges, and they have solutions.
“The number of Queenslanders searching for community-driven solutions to issues they care most about has increased by over 40 per cent since the 2020 State Election, when sustaining local jobs was the issue front of mind for most voters.
“It shows that increasingly, Queensland voters care about having localised solutions to complex problems – regardless of politics.”
Ms Smith said that councils are located in every community in Queensland, with more than 42,000 workers delivering the infrastructure and services needed to support community liveability.
“Empowering and resourcing councils to deliver more will achieve real outcomes.
“From the water out of the tap, to the safer local roads we drive home on and the local parks and community facilities we all rely upon, councils impact the daily lives of Queenslanders from the Torres Strait to Tugun and Brisbane to Bedourie.
“Queenslanders have overwhelmingly backed councils’ calls for the leaders of the major and minor political parties to align their state election commitments to the priorities of communities.
“Having councils partnering with the State Government will deliver real outcomes. On the flip side, funding cuts to councils are cuts to community liveability.”
LGAQ’s survey found that the most important topics to Queenslanders are:
- Better local infrastructure
- Reducing the cost of living
- Energy and community transformation
The leaders of Queensland’s major and minor political parties have been asked for their response to the commitments outlined in the Vote for Local platform. In response, the LGAQ’s second and final report card will be released during the LGAQ’s Annual Conference ahead of polling day.
