A survey of more than 20,000 Queenslanders – including those in several of the state’s battleground seats - has revealed the top issues on the minds of voters ahead of Saturday’s State Election.
It comes as representatives from all 77 councils across Queensland arrive in Brisbane this week to attend the Local Government Association of Queensland’s (LGAQ) 128th Annual Conference and AGM where Premier Steven Miles and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli are due to address the sector and outline their priorities if elected on October 26.
LGAQ Chief Executive Officer Alison Smith said Queenslanders consistently viewed their council as the most trusted level of government, focussing 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.
“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.”
TOP ISSUES SURVEYED:
- Better Local Infrastructure
- Reducing the Cost of Living
- Energy and Community Transformation
TOP LOCATION RESPONSES (by state electorate):
- McConnel
- Nudgee
- Warrego
- Cook
- Caloundra
The LGAQ’s 2024 Vote for Local platform represents the key state-wide advocacy issues for Queensland councils: www.voteforlocal.com.au.
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 this week and ahead of polling day.
For more information, please contact:
Dan Knowles, Media Advisor