The Local Government Association of Queensland’s Policy Executive have met on Palm Island this week in a historic first for the Association.

The LGAQ is mourning the tragic loss of our colleague and friend, Ryan Goff, who lost his life in a traffic accident on 10 August.

The Local Government Association of Queensland will donate $20,000 to the Queensland Drought Appeal to help ensure local communities remain resilient in the face of ongoing drought.

Canberra has an obligation to help support ALL local communities and at the moment that support is simply not good enough.

Discussion around the ravages of drought across half of the Queensland land mass has been front and centre in the media the last few weeks, as it should.

Finally, the State Government has confirmed arrangements for a review of the 2016 council elections. This review cannot be whitewashed like previous ones.

It is time to tackle the difficult and often thorny issue of the role of the Crime and Corruption Commission in the daily life of Queensland councils.

Improving health, education and tourism outcomes for communities through cheaper and more flights to regional Queensland formed the central discussion at a RAPAD forum this week.

At its heart, the core responsibility of the LGAQ is to protect and promote the interests of its 77 members

Our latest innovation roadshow highlights technologies that help solve real problems but can also rectify problems that councils never knew existed.

Now is an incredible place to be in history, riding the next great wave of technology and interconnectedness. Action we take now as a sector will shape how our communities live in the future.

Leaders from local government and technology entrepreneurs are gathering in Cairns for the Future Cities, Smart Communities Summit

Each year we try to get that little bit better in understanding the needs and aspirations of each member council. It’s a journey and not a destination but one we are absolutely committed to pursuing.

Submissions are now open for motions to be discussed at the LGAQ Annual Conference in October. Read how your council can submit.

I will simply say that it’s better to be riding the wave than standing underneath it. That’s the LGAQ approach to innovation - harness the beast and make it serve us.