Welcome back everyone from the books, beach, fishing line, or the tractor and the Channel 9 cricket commentary team. To paraphrase the famous Sir Les Patterson: 2018 – we’re up it.

Poor old Queensland Local Government has endured some hardships but against it all there have been some magnificent achievements by councils and decent goals kicked by the LGAQ - it wasn’t all bad new

As the year draws to a close I am in the mood to reflect on some of our brightest and boldest achievements for our membership.

The LGAQ’s 2017 Digital Productivity Report is a biennial survey that maps out the changing digital landscape and needs of Queensland communities.

On Monday, LGAQ President Mayor Mark Jamieson and I met Premier-elect Annastacia Palaszczuk at 1 William St, making your Association the first organisation to deal with the likely incoming Government

Fresh from a not-so-certain election, QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Local Gov Minister Mark Furner met with LGAQ President Mark Jamieson and CEO

Fresh from a not-so-certain election, QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Local Gov Minister Mark Furner met with LGAQ President Mark Jamieson and CEO

More than ever Queensland councils are seeing the value in investing in the digital economy, from improving community literacy to partnering with local business and investing in telecommunications.

The LGAQ’s big ticket item in its 10 Point Election Plan is a commitment to a minimum $500 million a year in baseline funding for local government.

The Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) is disappointed it did not receive responses from all parties to its 10 Point Election Plan.

Five words sum up the LGAQ’s 2017 state election efforts - we did our very best. The 2017 Election LGAQ Scorecard shows that to be true.

Party responses have shown a good understanding of the role councils play in driving regional economic growth.

This week marks my last week on the road for 2017 having visited the Blackall-Tambo, Barcaldine and Longreach shires dotted along the Matilda Highway. Great country, even better people.

LGAQ CEO Greg Hallam was on the ground in western Queensland this week talking local government priorities ahead of the state election on November 25th.

Here’s a quick wrap-up of the election announcements so far relevant to local government.