2026 LGAQ CONFERENCE MOTIONS & COUNCILLOR ATTENDANCE · Report

GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETING                                                             7 JULY 2026


       reserves deliver.


  c. Motion: State Planning Reforms to Existing Use Rights for Short-Term Accommodation
     in Low Density Residential Zones (provided at Attachment 3) - Richard MacGillivray,
     Director Development & Regulation:
     That the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) calls on the Queensland
     State Government to implement targeted legislative and regulatory reform to better manage
     the impacts of short-term accommodation on housing supply and residential amenity by:
     1. Amending the Planning Act 2016 and Planning Regulation 2017 to modify the operation of
     existing use rights for non-hosted short-term accommodation in the Low Density Residential
     Zone, including by:
         a. Limiting the continuation of these rights; and
         b. Providing for the extinguishment of such rights upon transfer of property ownership,
     enabling a gradual transition of affected dwellings back to permanent residential use; and
     2. Provides an opt-in mechanism for local governments, recognising variations in housing
     pressures, tourism profiles and community expectations across Queensland; and
     3. Establishing a clear, balanced statutory framework that:
        a. Enables a staged and orderly transition of housing stock back to long-term residential
     use;
        b. Retains appropriate support for low-impact, home-hosted short-term accommodation;
       c. Recognises and supports non-hosted short-term accommodation where it is expressly
     permitted and approved under planning schemes.


  d. Motion: Recognising and Protecting Soil as Natural Critical Infrastructure (provided at
     Attachment 4) - Cr Karen Finzel:
     That the LGAQ call on the State Government to develop a comprehensive Queensland Soil
     Health Plan to operationalise the National Soil Strategy at the state level and recognise soil
     as a “key national asset” and critical infrastructure essential for water security, agriculture
     productivity, healthy waterways, flood attenuation climate resilience and functioning
     ecosystems.


  e. Motion: Drone Beach Surveillance - Supporting Lifeguards and Beachgoer Safety
     (provided at Attachment 5) - Cr Amelia Lorentson:
     That the LGAQ calls on the Queensland State Government to advocate to the Australian
     Government and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for regulatory reform to enable
     Queensland local governments to operate beach safety drone programs consistently and
     without unnecessary administrative burden, and to provide the funding and framework
     needed to support councils to expand drone surveillance to unpatrolled beaches across the
     State.


  f.   Motion: Electronic Gaming Machines on Council-Owned and Trustee Land (provided at
       Attachment 6) - Cr Amelia Lorentson:
       That the LGAQ call on the State government to
       A. Require mandatory consultation with local councils prior to the granting, transfer, or
       expansion of gaming machine licences within their jurisdiction.
       B. Advocating for legislative amendments that give local governments greater standing to