The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has welcomed news of a State Government overhaul of depreciation to better support the council sector.
Queensland Premier, David Crisafulli, used his opening address at the LGAQ’s 130th Annual Conference in Cairns to announce the first tranche of changes in response to the work of the State Government’s Depreciation Taskforce, which he said would be in place by May 2027 to support councils heading into their next budgets.
They include changing the way assets gifted from both the State and Federal Government are treated on a council’s balance sheet, ensuring communities are not having to carry the can for assets they inherit but could never afford to replace themselves.
The Premier also announced a further 13 Depreciation Taskforce recommendations had been accepted and would also be progressed in a second tranche of reforms. The LGAQ said it looks forward to understanding more detail and working with the State and member councils throughout the consultation.
“Our members have been crying out for changes for years, passing multiple Annual Conference Resolutions so we very much welcome the Premier’s announcement today and thank Local Government Minister Ann Leahy for her work,” LGAQ President, Matt Burnett
“We look forward to working with Minister Leahy and her department as they progress the changes.”
LGAQ CEO, Alison Smith said the LGAQ had put in submissions to the Depreciation Taskforce, alongside many councils across the state, when it began its work last year.
“This is a very important issue to our member councils,” Ms Smith said.
“As the Premier pointed out in his speech to the LGAQ conference, this issue reaches into every council, big and small.
“Councils are having to do so much with so little – councils receive just 3 per cent of national revenue – so these reforms are warmly welcomed by councils.”
