Council provisions during caretaker period

In the lead up to the 2024 Local Government Elections, Queensland Councils will go into a six-week caretaker period.

Councils will go into caretaker period from the day the Notice of Election is published by the Electoral Commission of Queensland, which we expect to be Monday 29 January.

During this time, media should direct all enquiries on Council business through the Marketing and Communications Department.

As the caretaker period has not begun, the prohibition on local governments publishing or distributing election material under section 90D of the Local Government Act 2009 has not yet commenced.

However, elected members should exercise caution when using social media platforms, undertaking radio interviews or providing media comment that is contrary to a Council policy or perceived as influential to the outcome of a major Council decision.

Any interviews with election candidates should not be conducted within a Council workplace.

For clarity, at the Council Administration Building at Spence St, this relates to the area within the lockable area of the building, which includes the courtyard.

However, interviews can be conducted in the carpark and other outside areas, provided they don’t interfere with staff accessing their workplace.

On Wednesday (24 January), Council held an Ordinary Meeting to finalise any outstanding matters of importance so as not to breach caretake provisions.

Council meetings will continue as per the scheduled calendar in February and March, however no major procurement or policy decisions can be made during this time without Ministerial approval.

The provisions during caretaker period are intended to ensure that Councils do not make any major decisions without accountability and limits the policy and funding commitments an incumbent Council can lock an incoming Council into.

More information:

* Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works guide to caretaker period: https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0023/43862/caretaker-period-factsheet-2023.pdf

* So you want to be a Councillor: https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/local-government/for-the-community/so-you-want-to-be-a-councillor