Regions gather as massive economic input is counted
Queensland councils have pooled their knowledge from their role as key factors in the State's economy.
Representatives from across the resource-rich regions gathered in the name of improved productivity, at a Finance Summit at the Sunshine Coast this week.
Between them, Queensland’s 77 local councils manage $76 billion of non-financial assets, with an average of $1.8 billion of assets being added to that each year.
Local Government Association of Queensland President Margaret de Wit said the more than 150 delegates gathered at the annual event discussed practical solutions to the finance and sustainability challenges impacting the sector.
Cr de Wit said that councils had been dealing with increased local government costs of providing services and infrastructure as well as servicing debt over the past 10 years by increasing rates revenue.
She says councils are forever being asked to do more with less.
"Commonwealth funding to councils has remained static and State funding has gone backwards," she said.
"Councils are looking for ways to cut costs, defer capital investment and generally improve efficiency in delivering services to their community."
The Local Government Association of Queensland's (LGAQ) Civic Leaders Summit follows the Finance Summit.