Councillor information

Mayors and councillors must make open, transparent decisions and ensure strong governance and accountability.

The department has developed the below information to help mayors and councillors meet their responsibilities and deliver strong leadership for Queensland communities.

LG Leaders Program

Mandatory training

Under section 169A of the Local Government Act 2009 (LGA) and the City of Brisbane Act 2010 (CoBA), all Queensland local government councillors must complete approved councillor training about the responsibilities of councillors. The approved councillor training that all councillors must complete is the Compliance (Mandatory) module of the LG Leaders Program, which covers the following three topics:

1. Code of Conduct;
2. Registers of Interests; and
3. Conflicts of Interests.

This approved councillor training must be completed in the period ending 6 months after the conclusion of the local government election. Serious penalties may apply for non-compliance including suspension and dismissal as outlined in sections 120 and 122 of the LGA. The department’s chief executive may extend the prescribed period if they are satisfied it would be appropriate in the circumstances.

Registers of interests

A register of interests is important to be able to identify prescribed and declarable conflicts of interest. You can read more Information about registers of interest including the statutory forms.

Key resource: Register of interest notes ( 236.3 KB)

Managing conflicts of interests

Any conflicts between councillors’ interests and the public interest must be managed so that the community can have confidence that councillors are making decisions for the community. You can read more about conflicts of interest LG Central.

Meetings

Read about council meeting procedures, including how and when meetings are organised, how meetings are run, the chairperson’s role, meeting minutes and meeting behaviour in LG Central.

Key resource: Model meeting procedures ( 279.2 KB) Standing Orders - Best Practice Example ( 415.2 KB)

Code of conduct

The Code of conduct for councillors in Queensland sets out the values councillors should demonstrate under each of the five local government principles, and standards of behaviour expected of councillors and mayors when carrying out their role as elected representatives.

By following the behaviours set out in the code of conduct, councillors increase public confidence in local government and council decisions.

Key resource: Code of conduct for councillors in Queensland ( 344.3 KB)

Councillor complaints framework

There are different processes to address complaints made against councillors depending on how serious the alleged conduct is. The legislation provides definitions for unsuitable meeting conduct, inappropriate conduct, misconduct and how to deal with instances of corrupt conduct.

Key resource: Councillor complaints fact sheet ( 251.1 KB)

Financial literacy

Read information about financial matters councillors should be aware of in their role.

Planning and development literacy

Read information about planning and development matters councillors should be aware of in their role.

Other information sources

• Office of the Independent Assessor
• Crime and Corruption Commission
• Office of the Information Commissioner
• Queensland Integrity Commissioner
• Electoral Commission of Queensland

More information

For more information, contact your nearest regional office within the department.