Councils from across the state will come together for the annual Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) conference in October and Bundaberg Regional Council is putting the impact of homelessness in regional communities on the agenda.
The annual conference of the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) brings together Councils from across Queensland to work together to advocate for better outcomes for their communities.
As part of the development of policy to be adopted at the conference, Councils are invited to put forward motions for consideration by delegates and possible adoption.
Bundaberg Region Mayor Helen Blackburn said Council would put forward three motions regarding homelessness which was an issue not only impacting the local community but also causing state-wide implications.
“We’re doing what we can for our local community by forming a Council working group to deliver urban improvements and homelessness response with a focus on well managed public spaces, system governance and performance, service delivery and support and housing supply,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“But we’re well aware that this is not just a Bundaberg Region issue.
“These are issues being felt in regional communities right throughout Queensland.
“By putting these motions forward for endorsement by our Local Government peers we aim to highlight the need for a state-led response and take a coordinated approach with Councils in a similar position.
“If supported at the conference, these motions will help us gather industry support to advocate to the State and Federal Governments for increased action and accountability in homelessness prevention and response.”
Council endorsed the Mayor, in its 24 June Ordinary Meeting, to submit the following motions for consideration at the Local Government Association of Queensland Annual Conference 2025:
Motion 1 – Homelessness Prevention
That the LGAQ calls on the State Government to increase accountability and resourcing across the relevant State Agencies to effectively support people leaving correctional, mental health, and alcohol and other drug facilities to not be exited into homelessness.
Motion 2 – Addressing Drivers of Homelessness
That the LGAQ calls on the State and Federal Government to invest in addressing the root causes of the current homelessness problem in Queensland and take a systems approach that moves beyond individual services, instead focussing on preventing homelessness, more effectively supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, and providing financial assistance to the Local Governments who are having to manage and respond to this problem.
Motion 3 – Accountability in Action
That the LGAQ calls on the State and Federal Government to increase accountability through regular and transparent auditing, assessing and reporting on:
- All funds committed to public, private, not-for-profit and charitable agencies and organisations for the purpose of addressing the drivers of homelessness and homelessness response in regional cities and towns;
- Required outcomes and performance indicators aligned with the funding; and
- Performance against these outcomes and performance indicators.
The 129th LGAQ Annual Conference will be held from Monday 20 October 2025.
