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Rural and Remote Councils Policy and Legislation Committee - Annual Update 2021-22

Guardian’s foreword

The Rural and Remote Councils Compact complements the existing Partners-in-Government Agreement struck between the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and the Queensland Government, to provide an important platform and ensure issues of priority for rural and remote communities are given due consideration and attention by the government when developing policies, programs and legislation.

The Compact aims to ensure the realities facing these communities – like small populations, large road networks, funding and policy uncertainty and the tyranny of distance – are better understood by State Government decision-makers so future policies can be better tailored to meet their needs.

Through the Compact, we can improve the focus on our rural and remote councils and ensure they have a louder voice for the Government to hear.

Roads, housing and local government sustainability have been the priority policy areas examined in detail over the last year, with dedicated workshops held on each of these important issues.

The Compact has already unlocked some key opportunities to progress changes that will benefit rural and remote communities, which is why the three strategic priorities of roads, housing and local government sustainability are continuing for a second year. We have more to achieve, but feel we have made some good headway in the first year of the Compact.

The Compact Guardians also appreciate the opportunity to regularly brief the Deputy Premier and Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Steven Miles MP on the work the Compact is doing and the key issues facing rural and remote communities.

On behalf of Queensland’s 45 rural and remote councils and the local communities they represent, we sincerely thank the Queensland Government for its focus on key issues that impact the community liveability of rural and remote parts of the state.  We look forward to progressing important outcomes that will benefit these communities.

Councillor Jane McNamara, Mayor, Flinders Shire Council

Councillor Peter Scott, Mayor, Cook Shire Council

Councillor Robbie Dare, Mayor, Diamantina Shire Council

Councillor Robyn Fuhrmeister, Balonne Shire Council

Councillor Paul McVeigh, Mayor, Western Downs Regional Council

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Background

Rural and Remote Councils Compact

At the 2020 State Election, the Queensland Government committed to finalising a Rural and Remote Councils Compact to support the Queensland Government and smaller councils working together to address the challenges facing rural and remote communities.

The Compact was signed by the Deputy Premier and the President of the Local Government Association of Queensland in 2021 and is a sub-agreement to the Partners-in-Government Agreement (PIGA), which establishes the key principles in the relationship between the State and local government and provides a foundation for effective negotiation and meaningful engagement between both levels of governments.

The Compact promotes enhanced engagement with rural and remote councils to ensure the government’s legislation, policies and programs take account of the unique circumstances of their communities.

There are 45 Rural and Remote Councils identified by the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) that are captured by the Compact. These councils are listed in Attachment 1.

The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning is the lead agency for implementation and operation of the Compact on behalf of the Queensland Government.

The Compact is overseen on behalf of the LGAQ by its five Rural and Remote Regions Policy Executive Members (the Guardians):

  • Councillor Jane McNamara, Mayor, Flinders Shire Council
  • Councillor Peter Scott, Mayor, Cook Shire Council
  • Councillor Robbie Dare, Mayor, Diamantina Shire Council
  • Councillor Robyn Fuhrmeister, Balonne Shire Council
  • Councillor Paul McVeigh, Mayor, Western Downs Regional Council.

Under the Compact, the LGAQ and the Guardians have identified roads, housing and local government sustainability as the initial three key priorities for consideration.

Rural and Remote Councils Policy and Legislation Committee

A high-level Rural and Remote Councils Policy and Legislation Committee was established as the primary governance structure for the implementation and operation of the Compact.

The Committee brings together representatives of the government, the LGAQ and nominated mayors representing councils. It provides a regular forum to develop solutions to promote the liveability and long-term sustainability of communities.

The Committee meets quarterly, and at other times as agreed, to develop solutions on key strategic priorities for rural and remote communities.

Key meeting dates

  • 30 July 2021 – Ignition meeting to commence planning, discuss scope of future meetings and identify strategic priorities.
  • 10 September 2021 – Terms of Reference endorsed –Strategic Priority 1 Workshop: Roads
  • 17 February 2022 –Strategic Priority 2 Workshop: Housing
  • 19 May 2022 –Strategic Priority 3 Workshop: Local Government Sustainability

Strategic priority 1: roads

On 10 September 2021, Committee members endorsed the Terms of Reference for the Committee and discussed the ‘Roads’ strategic priorities identified and included in the LGAQ submission, which had input from rural and remote councils.

Compact Guardians had the opportunity to speak to the submission and the strategic priority of roads. Attendees discussed a range of opportunities for improved partnership between local and state government for enhanced local outcomes, particularly in the following areas:

  • Road Maintenance Performance Contracts (RMPCs)
  • Procurement Policy
  • First and last mile
  • Roads off alignment
  • Roads in rural areas.

Attendees noted working groups would further consider issues for RMPCs and roads off alignment. Enhanced promotion and awareness of forward procurement works, a freight strategy pilot program and the revised Road Safety Strategy and action plan (once it is endorsed by Government) will also be explored.

At the second Committee meeting on 17 February 2022, attendees noted progress on actions coming from the Roads Workshop held in September 2021. This included updates on key action items including:

  • Road Maintenance Performance Contracts working group, which has now met several times to pursue potential ways to resolve liability jurisdiction for state-controlled roads maintained by local councils under contractual arrangements;
  • Procurement policy communication and engagement opportunities for councils to partner with the State Government on regular tendering opportunities that would support the establishment of local workforces;
  • The Queensland Regional Freight Plan and the North Queensland Regional Freight Plan Pilot Program, which will provide an opportunity for local government to engage with TMR to raise network issues, priorities and investment opportunities to improve the overall freight system;
  • Roads off alignment working group trial focused on low-cost solutions, particularly for road corridors that are adjacent to leasehold land tenure as outlined in a new guideline released by the Department of Resources; and
  • Road safety in rural areas through the revised Road Safety Strategy and action plan which is being finalised for release.

Strategic priority 2: housing

The second Rural and Remote Councils Compact Policy and Legislation Committee Meeting was held on Thursday, 17 February 2022, with a key focus on the strategic priority issue of ‘Housing’.

Attendees noted there has been much interest in the issue of housing across the sector and acknowledged the work of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) and the WQAC Forum held in October 2021, to launch its Housing Solutions Study Report.

To complement the WQAC Housing Study of 22 western councils, the LGAQ developed a survey on housing which it distributed to all 45 rural and remote councils. Feedback from the survey was consolidated into a submission that was discussed at the Compact meeting during its Housing Workshop.

Compact Guardians had the opportunity to speak to the submission and the housing challenges being faced by rural and remote communities in Queensland.

Committee Members noted 35 of 45 Rural and Remote Councils identified issues and possible solutions through the LGAQ survey and/or the WQAC Housing Study.

Compact Guardians support a whole-of-Government approach to the issue through establishing a cross agency working group to assist with the preparation of Local Housing Action Plans. Local Housing Action Plans are a commitment under the Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025, and aim to identify needs, solutions and help coordinate responses to rural and remote community housing challenges.

Compact Guardians agreed in-principle to support a pilot project to fast-track six Local Housing Action Plans in Paroo, Murweh, Blackall-Tambo, Carpentaria, Flinders and Boulia shire councils , and to leverage the work already underway for the 22 councils that are part of the WQAC, through the cross-agency working group, and to then possibly scale up for all 45 rural and remote councils under the Compact.  This was made possible by the announcement  on 10 March 2022 by the Deputy Premier that Queensland Government (Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy, and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning) is partnering with, and contributing $200,000 to, the WQAC to fast-track Local Housing Action Plans for councils in rural and remote locations under the Compact.

Other issues discussed included unlocking state land tenure, the cost of housing finance and concerns about ‘postcode discrimination’ with lending practices and the importance of extending the first homeowners grant to be available for the purchase of existing dwellings. Further engagement is planned on these initiatives, including through the cross-agency working group and in discussions with other state agencies.

Strategic priority 3: local government sustainability

The third Rural and Remote Councils Compact Policy and Legislation Committee Meeting was held on Thursday, 19 May 2022, with a key focus on the strategic priority issue of local government sustainability.

Attendees endorsed the minutes of the previous meeting and noted progress on previous actions. This included updates on key action items including:

  • Road Maintenance Performance Contracts working group, which has now met four times.
  • Roads off alignment working group trial focused on low-cost solutions through the Flinders Shire Council pilot;
  • Ongoing engagement for the development of the new Queensland Freight Action Plan 2023 – 25;
  • Road safety in rural areas through the release of the Queensland Road Safety Strategy 2022-31, the Queensland Road Safety Action Plan 2022-24 and the Queensland Road Safety Research and Evaluation Framework on 11 April 2022.
  • Pilot project with WQAC to deliver 22 Local Housing Action Plans;
  • Update from the Guardians on the challenges associated with unlocking land tenure.

Attendees were also provided an update from the Office of Rural and Regional Queensland on the outcomes of Regional Community Forums.

Attendees noted there has been much work underway to promote local government sustainability across the sector, including a new local government Sustainability Framework being developed by the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning. This framework will assist in monitoring the financial performance of local governments and better tailoring how the State can provide support.

Compact Guardians had the opportunity to speak about the challenges to sustainability they were facing, including that of councils often operating as providers of last resort.

Guardians discussed whole-of-life assets considerations and the need to increase education and awareness of the challenges they place on local government sustainability.

Guardians expressed support for a “One Stop Shop” grants portal being considered that contains information about programs administered by the State that are available to local government.

Compact Guardians also support additional advice and support on asset management being made available to the local government sector.

The opportunities presented by capacity uplift, shared resourcing arrangements and options to partner with providers for service delivery were also discussed.

Next Steps

Because of the significant number of action items underway in the three strategic priority areas of roads, housing and local government sustainability, the Compact Guardians have proposed to extend the existing strategic priorities for another year.

This includes further work through existing working groups that have been established across various government agencies, and through the regular meetings with senior departmental officials and the Deputy Premier and Minister for Local Government.

Compact Guardians are also keen to facilitate a discussion about the opportunities of sharing the benefits arising from Queensland hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games across rural, regional and remote Queensland.

As emerging issues arise throughout the next year, Compact Guardians will utilise the Policy and Legislation Committee for feedback, guidance and resolution.

Last updated: 25 Jan 2023