Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ)

Live in Queensland?
Drink water?
Then this matters.
A pipe is breaking every 73 minutes across the state — a trend that’s getting worse.
The average pipe is now 58 years old, with more than half the network beyond its typical service life.
The LGAQ’s new report, The Last Drop, shows just how close we are to an infrastructure cliff.
Read more via the link in the comments below.

The 2026 Bush Councils Convention is back for Day 2 in Longreach and we’re just getting started.

Building on strong conversations including a Day 1 update from Minister Dale Last - Member for Burdekin MP, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development, who spoke on critical minerals and regional development opportunities.

Day 1 laid the foundation with discussions on insurance, opal mining and major events in regional communities, and today we’re picking up where we left off.

This morning the Hon. Brent Mickelberg MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads kicked things off with a portfolio update, and with sessions on fuel supply, disaster recovery, waterways, freight and the Royal Flying Doctor Service still to come, there’s plenty more to cover.

📸 Here’s a look at some of the moments from the Convention so far.

Mayors, councillors, CEOs and State Ministers have gathered in Longreach for the LGAQ’s Bush Councils Convention – bringing together more than 150 leaders from across Queensland’s regional, rural and remote communities.

Over the next three days, critical issues shaping the future of local government will take centre stage, from freight and fuel to water, infrastructure, biosecurity and beyond.

With the theme Outback & Onwards: Today & Every Day, the convention is not just about the challenges councils face, it’s about the opportunities ahead and the strength of collaboration across the sector.

From meaningful discussions to on-the-ground insights, this is a chance to drive better outcomes for Queensland communities and showcase the importance of local leadership.

🔗 Read the media release: https://bit.ly/4f2nEct

Longreach Regional Council

Ever driven out west? Queensland has a big backyard — and more people are taking to our roads to explore it.

This Road Safety Week, councils are highlighting the growing safety challenges facing regional road networks.

Places like Boulia Shire Council are seeing an increase in drive tourism, but many roads remain shared, single‑lane carriageways.

More cars. More caravans. More risk.

We need smarter investment in regional roads to keep Queensland moving safely and support strong regional economies.

On behalf of their communities, Queensland councils are calling for a long‑overdue increase to the State Government’s Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).

When we asked Mayor Barry Hughes about roads, his answer said everything.

This Road Safety Week, the Mayor’s response highlights why councils are calling for a long‑overdue increase to the State Government’s Transport and Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) 👇

Safe and reliable roads = greater liveability and safer journeys for communities like Etheridge.

🐄 Beef, ⚒️ mining and 📸 tourism — safe, reliable roads make it all tick. ✔️

During Road Safety Week, councils like Cloncurry Shire Council are shining a light on the role road investment plays in keeping communities connected and people safe.

That’s why councils are joining forces on your behalf to call for an increase to the State Government’s Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) — to maintain productivity, improve transport connectivity and boost the safety of Queensland roads.

Cr Kate Peddle, Mayor of Flinders Shire Council, puts it plainly:

“I think any financial support that regional councils can get is absolutely vital. We have quite large and diverse shires. We have major industries that we need to support in the region. We don't have the resources to be able to put onto these roads ourselves. So TIDS is vitally important to us."

"We can't do it without funding. So I would really implore the government to consider increasing the TIDS funding.”

This Road Safety Week, councils are coming together to call for an increase to the State Government’s Transport and Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) — because safer roads matter for regional communities across Queensland.

Find out more in the comments.