Red tape reduction taskforce

In January 2025, the Queensland Government established the Local Government Red Tape Reduction Taskforce to provide advice to government about reducing red tape for Queensland councils.

The Taskforce is being led by Mr Andrew Chesterman. He has significant experience both in the state government and the Queensland local government sector, including as the former CEO of Redland City Council.

It will identify opportunities to streamline approvals and remove barriers for local government projects that:

• reduce costs for council, ratepayers and other stakeholders
• improve the efficiency of local governments through the identification of unnecessary and/or inefficient laws and regulation
• enhance the long-term sustainability of Queensland’s local governments.

The Taskforce will be active for 6 months, starting in January 2025 and finishing in June of 2025. As a formal group, it has set terms of reference ( 139.7 KB) which guide its activity and set out its purpose, activity, authority and expectations.

The Taskforce will deliver recommendations to the Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers by June 2025.

Consultation with councils and the broader local government sector will begin in February.

Governance - Executive steering committee (ESC)

The Taskforce will receive strategic oversight and advice from a steering committee.

The Local Government Red Tape Reduction Executive Steering Committee (ESC) is chaired by DLGWV. It will also include representation from the Department of Premier and Cabinet and from Queensland Treasury.

Governance  – Engagement forum

To assist the Taskforce, a formal engagement forum will be established.

The engagement forum will consist of relevant state agencies, the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and the Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA Qld) along with the Assistant Minister to the Deputy Premier and the Assistant Minister for Planning, Housing and Better Regulation, Rebecca Young MP.

Timelines

• Commencement (January) - the Taskforce is stood up with the appointment of the lead.
• Engagement (February to April) - consultation with stakeholders commences with strategic guidance being provided from the ESU.
• Draft Report (April) - the Taskforce’s draft report of recommendations is due to the ESC.
• Final report (June) - 30 June 2025 the Taskforce’s final report (including recommendations for consideration by the Queensland Government) due for presentation to the Minister of Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers.

More information

Email lgrtr@localgovernment.qld.gov.au for more information.