Council
29 October, 2025
Mayors rally for funding
REPRESENTATIVES from Somerset Regional Council and the City of Moreton Bay joined hundreds of mayors, councillors and local government leaders from across Queensland at the 129th Annual Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) Conference, held from October 20–22 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Themed ‘Pathways and Liveability,’ the conference focused on collaboration, innovation, and advocacy across key issues such as rising costs, housing and infrastructure pressures, waste management, and community sustainability.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said the event provided an invaluable opportunity to connect with councils from across the state and advocate for regional priorities.
“This conference is a great way for councils from all over Queensland to gather in one place and showcase what we do well, all whilst networking with suppliers that support local government,” Cr Wendt said.
“Discussions with city, country and remote councils gave unique perspectives to the everyday challenges we face in local government.
“It also presented an important opportunity for us as elected members to advocate for our region on a State and Federal level.”
Somerset Council’s motion calling for the continuation of the South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program (SEQCSP) was carried at the conference — a move that will ensure continued support for regional infrastructure and community projects across the Somerset area.
Across the state, mayors and councillors used the platform to call for a fairer distribution of the state’s $1.48 billion waste levy and investment in recycling infrastructure.
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said councils are committed to sustainability but need State support to meet ambitious waste and recycling targets.
“We brought in our green waste bins, our GO bins, in December last year. There’s been a huge take-up and the community is very supportive,” Cr Flannery said.
“We want to now go to the next step of food organics being added to that as well. That’s a huge investment that we need support from the State Government on.”
Support for regional communities was another key topic, with councils calling for fairer and more targeted support.
LGAQ President and Gladstone Mayor Matt Burnett said councils are managing increasing responsibilities with limited financial resources.
He emphasised the need for restored Federal Financial Assistance Grants to at least 1 per cent of national taxation and sustained investment in core infrastructure like roads, water and waste facilities.
The conference also saw a strong push to address Queensland’s rural childcare crisis, with councils urging the Federal Government to reform regulations and funding models that currently disadvantage regional and remote communities.
LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said many councils have been forced to operate childcare centres as “providers of last resort” due to market failures, despite the service being vital to keeping families and workers in regional towns.
