The following information in italics has been provided by the Minister for Local Government in response to those asking about changing whether a Council operates with divisions for their Councilors or not:

Any proposed change to a local government area (including divisional boundaries) must be presented to the Deputy Premier as the Minister for Local Government.

Under the Local Government Act 2009 (the Act), only the Minister for Local Government may propose a local government change to the Local Government Change Commission (the Change Commission).  

The Change Commission is an independent body established under the Local Government Act 2009 responsible for assessing proposed local government changes and making recommendations to the Governor in Council for implementation by regulation.

The Queensland Government’s policy is that local government change submissions made to the Deputy Premier must include the following:

  • evidence that the proposal is supported by a reasonable level of the affected community directly impacted by the proposal
  • evidence that the proposal is supported by resolution of the affected local government/s or, if not supported, reasons why the proposal is still in the public interest
  • an estimate of any costs or savings to the local government anticipated as a result of the proposed change.

The Change Commission is responsible for assessing whether a local government change proposed by the Minister for Local Government is in the public interest.

It should also be noted that, where a local government is divided and councillors are elected as a representative of a particular division, the Act requires that when performing a responsibility, the councillor must serve the overall public interest of the whole local government area.

This information applies whether the change is in relation to having divisions at all, or changing the number of divisions, such as when Ipswich City Council changed from 10 single member Divisions to 4 Divisions each electing 2 Councillors in 2020.

It is suggested that anyone wishing Noosa Council to change and use Divisions, contact the CEO of Noosa Council via mail@noosa.qld.gov.au

For anyone wishing to contact the Minister for Local Government direct, please email housing@ministerial.qld.gov.au