The 128th LGAQ Annual Conference is shaping up to be the biggest yet with a huge program of firm favourites as well as some new inclusions.
This year’s theme Don't Leave Local Communities Behind heralds to the dedication and strength that Queensland councils put into making their towns and regions great places to live.
We know that we are stronger united, and with the 2024 State Government Elections on the horizon, there’s never been a better time to come together to knowledge-share and double down on our advocacy issues that matter most to your communities.
Here’s what you can expect at this year’s conference in Brisbane.
Council Showcases
One of the most popular sessions at Annual Conference, this year’s Council Showcases are a series of fantastic council case studies of an innovation or a terrific initiative from a coastal, resources, First Nations, rural and remote and SEQ council. This year we have an extra ‘CEO’s pick’ taking the total number of showcases to six.
Council Forums
Council Forums are an excellent opportunity to join together with council peers to discuss, share, and debate key issues. This is also an opportunity to talk with each other and the LGAQ Policy Executive members about ways the LGAQ can help and support your council.
Indigenous Leaders Forum (ILF)
The ILF is an opportunity for Indigenous Leaders to gather and discuss issues of importance to their communities. This year, ILF will be finishing at 2pm so delegates attending the ILF can also attend any Monday afternoon sessions that are of interest.
State Government and Opposition updates
Hear from Queensland PremierSteven Miles and Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli MP.
Roads and Transport Forum
This year’s Roads and Transport Forum has been extended by an extra 30 minutes following last year’s feedback.
Motions
At this year’s conference, a full day will be dedicated to motions, which will enable more time for debate of A and B motions.
Awards
There will be several awards handed out over the Annual Conference including:
Long Service Awards
- Long Service Certificates will be awarded on the night of the gala dinner to acknowledge mayors and councillors for their service to the local government sector. It’s a well-deserved moment of acknowledgement in front of local government peers.
LGAQ Journalism Award
- The LGAQ Regional Journalism Award is dedicated to showcasing excellence in reporting in regional Queensland. The award honours the memory of ABC journalists John Bean, Paul Lockyer and Gary Ticehurst. This year, the award aims to recognise and encourage the work of more journalists, with the first prize to worth $10,000, second place $3000 and third place $2000.
Alison Woolla Memorial Award for Local Leadership in Preventing DFV
- The Alison Woolla Memorial Award was established to recognise domestic and family violence (DFV) leadership in our Queensland community, in honour of pioneering late Mayor of Aurukun Shire Council, Alison Woolla. This year there are two categories; one specifically for local government, and the other for community-based individuals.
Butch Lenton Memorial Bush Council Innovation Award
- The Butch Lenton Memorial Bush Council Innovation Award, a Peak Services initiative that carries a $10,000 bursary, was created to recognise innovation in Queensland’s bush councils and celebrate the contribution the late Mayor of Winton Shire, Graham ‘Butch’ Lenton, made to his beloved community and local government in Queensland.
Gala Dinner
The Gala Dinner is always a much-anticipated event, and this year's dinner theme is Choose Local, with an after-five wear dress code. There will be award presentations, live music and dancing as always.