The following timeline provides an overview of the evolution of local government in Queensland.
September 1859
Local government was established in Queensland under the laws of the Colony of New South Wales (New South Wales Municipalities Act 1858). The first municipality of Brisbane was incorporated in 1859, a few months before Queensland was declared a separate colony.
1864
The Municipalities Institutions Act was passed in Queensland, defining and extending the functions and powers of municipalities to make by-laws, establishing the role of local government in urban areas.
1859 - 1878
Local government was introduced progressively in areas of rapid settlement, mostly in response to petitions presented by local residents. The Local Government Act 1878 responded to this demand by providing the formal incorporation of cities, towns and shires. This model, however, was not suited to large and sparsely populated areas and the Divisional Boards Act 1879 was created to provide an alternate structure more suited to these areas.
1902
The Local Authorities Act 1902 replaced both the 1878 and 1879 Acts. It was the first attempt to comprehensively prescribe local government’s jurisdiction in a way which recognised it as a level of government rather than as a mere representative body and state agency.
1924
The City of Brisbane was created by amalgamating 16 former town and shire councils. The City of Brisbane Act 1924 further developed the model of a separate and relatively autonomous level of elected governments. Establishment of the Greater Brisbane City Council in 1925 as a form of metropolitan local government under the City of Brisbane Act 1924 was, and still is, unique to Queensland.
1936
The Local Government Act 1936 was based on many of the concepts developed under the City of Brisbane Act 1924 which was amended on numerous occasions from 1937 to 1992.
1993
The Local Government Act 1993 replaced the 1936 Act. The legislation was developed over a long period of time and significantly changed the system of local government in Queensland.
2007
The Local Government Reform Implementation Act 2007 was introduced to facilitate the reform agenda and make provisions for changed local government areas prior to local government elections in March 2008.
2010
The Local Government Act 2009 commenced 1 July 2010 and applies to all local governments across Queensland (except the Brisbane City Council which falls under the City of Brisbane Act 2010), including Indigenous local governments. The Act includes local government regulations, which provide detail and a certain level of prescription and clarification on specific matters such as revenue and finances, reporting, operations and business activities.
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