Queensland local government Minister Desley Boyle has announced a 1 July start date for the new Local Government Act 2009.
Cities and towns across Queensland will also be developing their first ever Community Plans, setting down Queenslanders' vision for the future of their communities.
While the bulk of the Act comes in from 1 July next year, Boyle pointed out that new provisions on lobbyists - including post-employment restrictions on Mayors, Councillors and senior staff - would apply from 1 January, 2010.
Boyle has also approved the release of the second of three new draft regulations which support the new Local Government Act 2009. A key plank of this regulation is for councils to develop a Community Plan.
"In preparing Community Plans, cities and towns right across Queensland, led by their councils, will develop a vision for their community and a plan for a strong and sustainable future. This is critical in the face of population growth and with so much opportunity on the horizon for so many cities and towns around Queensland," says Boyle.
"The Community Plan will be the community's and the council's key planning document. It sits above all other planning processes of council, including strategic land use planning and corporate planning."
