Annual Update 2025-26
Guardians’ foreword
The Rural and Remote Councils Compact (Compact) continues to demonstrate the value of genuine partnership between the Queensland Government and Queensland’s 45 rural and remote councils. Now in the second year of the renewed Compact, the Guardians continue to strengthen relationships, raise the voice of rural and remote communities and ensure that decisions made in Brisbane are informed by the realities of rural and remote communities.
One of the major achievements of the past year has been the expansion of the Compact's strategic priorities. Alongside Roads, Housing and Community Liveability, and Local Government Financial Sustainability, the Guardians agreed to make Health the Compact's fourth priority. This reflects the growing recognition that access to healthcare remains one of the greatest challenges facing rural and remote Queensland and requires a coordinated, whole-of-government response.
An outcome of May’s Compact meeting, held at the LGAQ’s Bush Councils Convention in Longreach, discussed rural and remote communities’ health challenges, such as in central west Queensland, where there are over 800 emergency presentations each year with no viable way of getting home after discharge.
The Compact met virtually with the Health Minister, the Honourable Tim Nicholls MP and are working with his Deputy Director-General on how they can get better health outcomes in rural and remote areas and improve the patient travel subsidy scheme for rural and remote communities.
This year we saw meetings held in St George and Longreach, which have provided Ministers and senior government officials with the opportunity to see first-hand the unique opportunities and challenges facing rural and remote communities. These conversations, including those with the Honourable Brent Mickelberg MP, Minister of Transport and Main Roads, have reinforced the value of bringing decision-makers to the communities affected by those decisions.
Using the Compact as its platform, the Guardians helped elevate and play a major role towards a trial increase of the Queensland Housing Finance Loan, as part of the Homes for Queenslanders plan, raising the income eligibility threshold to $201,000 per annum to bridge the finance gap for rural Queenslanders who struggle to get home loan finance because of where they live.
Other issues the Guardians have tackled and made progress on include low-cost solutions to resolve Roads of Alignment challenges, and participation in State Government forums to unlock housing supply in rural and remote communities. And now we’re seeing that materialised with the State’s $2 billion Residential Activation Fund (RAF) which sets aside 50 per cent of funding allocated to regional areas.
The success of the Compact is measured not simply by the issues it raises, but by the partnerships it builds and the outcomes it delivers. As we continue into the next year, the Guardians remain committed to working collaboratively with the Queensland Government to ensure rural and remote communities continue to shape the policies, investments and decisions that will determine their future.
 Mayor Greg Campbell |  Mayor Barry Hughes |  Councillor Megan James |  Mayor Andrew Martin |  Mayor Samantha O'Toole |
Background
Rural and Remote Councils Compact
The Rural and Remote Councils Compact (Compact), signed on 14 August 2025, emphasises the Queensland Government’s and councils’ commitment to working more effectively together to address the challenges facing rural and remote communities.
The Compact is a sub-agreement to the Equal Partners in Government Agreement, which establishes the key principles in the relationship between the State and local governments and provides a foundation for effective negotiation and meaningful engagement between both levels of government.
The Compact promotes enhanced engagement with rural and remote councils to ensure the State Government’s legislation, policies and programs take account of the unique circumstances of their communities.
There are 45 rural and remote councils identified by the LGAQ that are captured by the Compact.
The Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers (DLGWV) is the lead agency for the implementation and operation of the Compact on behalf of the Queensland Government.
The Compact is overseen on behalf of the LGAQ by five rural and remote based Queensland local government elected members (Compact Guardians). Following the quadrennial council elections held in March 2024, the current Compact Guardians are:
- Councillor Greg Campbell, Mayor, Cloncurry Shire Council
- Councillor Barry Hughes, Mayor, Etheridge Shire Council
- Councillor Megan James, Western Downs Regional Council
- Councillor Andrew Martin, Mayor, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
- Councillor Samantha O’Toole, Mayor, Balonne Shire Council.
Under the Compact for this term, the LGAQ and Compact Guardians identified the following three strategic priorities:
- roads
- housing and community liveability
- local government sustainability.
At the Compact Committee meeting in April 2026, the Guardians reaffirmed the above three key priorities while resolving to add health as a fourth priority.
Rural and Remote Councils Compact Committee
The Rural and Remote Councils Compact Committee (Compact Committee) is the primary governance structure for the implementation and operation of the Compact.
The Compact Committee brings together senior representatives of the Queensland Government, LGAQ and Compact Guardians. It provides a regular forum to develop solutions to promote the liveability and long-term sustainability of communities.
Committee meeting dates
This past term, an increased number of meetings took place, with three events occurring in regional Queensland. The Compact Committee met on:
- 14 August 2025 (Regional meeting – Blackall)
- 10 September 2025
- 27 November 2025
- 26 February 2026
- 29 April 2026 (Regional meeting – St George)
- 27 May 2026 (Regional meeting – Longreach).
14 August 2025 – regional meeting held in Blackall
At this special meeting of the Compact Committee hosted in Blackall, the 2025 Rural and Remote Councils Compact was signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the LGAQ, the Guardians and the Honourable Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers.
The Guardians directly engaged with Minister Leahy on the strategic priorities and discussed what they hoped the renewed Compact would be able to achieve for Queensland rural and remote communities.
10 September 2025
At the 10 September 2025 Compact Committee meeting, key updates were provided on disaster recovery, quarry material access and housing initiatives.
The Guardians engaged the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) on disaster recovery efforts, including advice for rural and remote councils to secure funding.
This was followed by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), who the Guardians engaged with on the Primary Industries Prosper 2050 blueprint and the progress made on enabling local government access to State-owned quarry materials. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) presented information to the Guardians on the Queensland Freight Delivery Plan and the renewal of air services contracts. Following this, the Department of Housing and Public Works (DHPW) delivered a presentation on housing supply, affordability, and social housing initiatives. The Queensland Fire Department presented on bushfire mitigation and community engagement strategies and responded to questions from the Guardians about upcoming fire risk in rural and remote Queensland.
The Committee endorsed the Annual Update 2024-25, which was published on DLGWV’s website.
27 November 2025
At the Compact Committee meeting held on 27 November 2025, discussions focused on health services, quarry material access and regional development initiatives.
The Honourable Tim Nicholls MP, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, addressed the Guardians on access to health services in rural and remote communities and responded to questions. The issue of Naegleria fowleri testing was also discussed.
The Honourable Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, attended the meeting and addressed general queries raised. DPI provided updates on the Primary Industries Prosper 2050 blueprint and actions to ensure local government access to State-owned quarry materials.
TMR provided updates to the Guardians on air services renewal contracts and other initiatives, while DHPW responded to concerns about changes to their engagement program on loan product initiatives.
The Guardians engaged the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development (NRMMRRD) on their latest strategy to enhance Queensland’s manufacturing activity and NRMMRD outlined collaborative initiatives to address regional and rural development challenges.
26 February 2026
At the 26 February 2026 Compact Committee meeting, discussions focused on water policy, disaster management, local government legislative reforms, roads, nightlife economy initiatives and stock route management.
Mr Sean Dillon MP, Assistant Minister for Primary Industry Development, Water and Western Queensland, provided updates to the Guardians on water policy and disaster management, acknowledging the critical role of local government leaders during the disaster season. The Assistant Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to improving water access for communities.
The Guardians engaged with DLGWV on updates on legislative reforms, including the Local Government (Empowering Councils) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 and ongoing work on Water Security Plans.
This was followed by DPI reporting to the Guardians on the Primary Industries Prosper 2050 blueprint and the recent cattle tick outbreaks. DPI committed to reviewing privacy provisions under the Biosecurity Act 2014 to ensure a practical approach to notification.
The Guardians heard from TMR who gave updates on the Regulated Air Services Review, QTRIP, and Country Roads Connect. TMR emphasised the importance of aligning road infrastructure investment with the objectives of the Primary Industries Prosper 2050 blueprint.
DHPW delivered presentations and materials to the Guardians about the 20-Year Housing Plan and the Night-Life Economy Report, highlighting the need for improved collaboration with rural and remote councils on housing initiatives.
NRMMRRD provided updates to the Guardians on stock route management, regional development initiatives and disaster assistance through the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).
29 April 2026 - regional meeting held in St George
The Compact Committee meeting held on 29 April 2026 was hosted by the Balonne Shire Council in St George.
The Honourable Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, opened the meeting with remarks on fuel security. The Guardians raised concerns about rising fuel costs and their impact on councils, the tourism sector, and primary producers. Minister Leahy assured attendees of the Government’s commitment to addressing these challenges, and the Compact agreed to monitor the situation closely.
The Guardians reaffirmed their three key priorities (roads, housing and community liveability, and financial sustainability) and added health as a fourth priority for 2026. It was agreed that the impact of fuel shortages will also remain an issue of focus.
The Committee discussed opportunities for collaboration with the Indigenous Mayors Accord on shared challenges and priorities.
Lastly, the Guardians engaged QRA on disaster recovery efforts, highlighting significant funding approvals and emphasised the importance of strategic engagement with the Commonwealth Government.
27 May 2026 - regional meeting held in Longreach
The Compact Committee meeting on 27 May 2026 was held in Longreach as part of the Bush Councils Convention 2026.
The meeting was attended by the Honourable Brent Mickelberg MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads; the Honourable Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers; and Mr Sean Dillon MP, Assistant Minister for Primary Industry Development, Water and Western Queensland.
The Guardians sought updates from DPI on ensuring councils’ access to quarry materials and progress on the Primary Industries Prosper 2050 blueprint.
Minister Mickelberg led discussions on road and transport challenges in regional communities, including Road Maintenance Performance Contract allocations, cost pressures on councils, and potential cost-saving measures such as traffic management obligations. Freight and rail transport issues were also discussed, with a focus on the Federal Government’s inland rail project.
Minister Leahy provided updates on the Government’s reform agenda, water policy developments, and plans for rain gauge infrastructure.
Last updated: 16 Oct 2026