Notes about sector insights dataThe corruption trends, risks and enablers described in these pages are based on a review of complaints received by the CCC relating to the local government sector between 1 July 2020 and 30 June 2025, as well as investigations, intelligence and open-source information from the same period. These insights provide general observations about the sector as a whole over that period, and individual agencies within the sector may experience their own unique corruption risks. As these insights have been drawn from various sources, some observations may be slightly different to the data in the Corruption Complaints Dashboard (CCD) and Corruption Allegations Data Dashboard (CADD). CCD, CADD and these sector insights should be considered together to provide a range of perspectives on the risks for a given sector or agency. |
Overview
Local governments (also called councils) play an important role in public administration. Many services Queenslanders rely on, including local transport, waste collection, parks, water and sewerage, are delivered by local government. Councils are also responsible for land use planning and development, animal control and maintaining community assets.
Decisions made by local governments have a direct and enduring impact on community confidence.
Queensland’s local governments are vulnerable to a range of current, emerging and forecasted corruption risks. The insights provided here are drawn from analysis of CCC complaints, investigations and other intelligence, along with reviews of publicly available reports, literature and data.
We currently group councils into segments based on shared geographic, economic and social factors, which informs how we identify corruption risks and engage with the sector to build corruption resistance.
While there are some consistent trends and themes across the local government sector, corruption risks and vulnerabilities are shaped by factors unique to the location, size, climate and primary industry of each council area.
Coastal councils
Councils situated along the Queensland coast with mixed economies typically driven by tourism, agriculture, and regional services. They also experience extreme weather conditions leading to heightened risks associated with disaster recovery, grant administration and infrastructure development.
| Bundaberg Regional Council | Hinchinbrook Shire Council |
| Burdekin Shire Council | Livingstone Shire Council |
| Cairns Regional Council | Mackay Regional Council |
| Cassowary Coast Regional Council | Noosa Shire Council |
| Douglas Shire Council | Rockhampton Regional Council |
| Fraser Coast Regional Council | Townsville City Council |
| Gladstone Regional Council | Whitsunday Regional Council |
| Gympie Regional Council |
Indigenous councils
Councils established specifically to serve discrete Indigenous communities, many of which operate under unique land tenure arrangements and face distinct socio-economic and sustainability challenges. Indigenous councils face unique complexities attracting and retaining staff and navigating legal, cultural and familial dynamics.
| Aurukun Shire Council | Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council |
| Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council | Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council |
| Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council | Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council |
| Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council | Torres Shire Council |
| Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council | Torres Strait Island Regional Council |
| Lockhart Aboriginal Shire Council | Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council |
| Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council | Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council |
| Mornington Shire Council | Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council |
| Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council |
Resources councils
Councils heavily reliant on mining, energy, and resource extraction sectors, which can experience fluctuations in revenue and local populations. Typically located in mining regions, Resources councils experience demands on infrastructure, and risks associated with the procurement of assets and services.
| Banana Shire Council | Etheridge Shire Council |
| Bulloo Shire Council | Isaac Regional Council |
| Burke Shire Council | Maranoa Regional Council |
| Central Highlands Regional Council | McKinlay Shire Council |
| Charters Towers Regional Council | Mount Isa City Council |
| Cloncurry Shire Council | Quilpie Shire Council |
| Cook Shire Council | Western Downs Regional Council |
Note: Weipa Town Authority (WTA) is administered by Rio Tinto and not listed. The WTA is comprised of four elected Community Representatives, two Rio Tinto appointed representatives and one appointed Traditional Owner representative. WTA makes decisions on local government matters and is also within the CCC’s jurisdiction. Read more about WTA here.
Rural regional councils
Inland councils that primarily service localised agricultural hubs and regional centres. Due to their geographical location, Rural regional councils experience recruitment challenges as well as managing conflicts of interest inherent in small communities.
| Goondiwindi Regional Council | Somerset Regional Council |
| Lockyer Valley Regional Council | South Burnett Regional Council |
| Mareeba Shire Council | Southern Downs Regional Council |
| North Burnett Regional Council | Tablelands Regional Council |
| Scenic Rim Regional Council |
Rural remote councils
Geographically large but sparsely populated inland councils that face challenges maintaining extensive road networks and infrastructure with smaller ratepayer bases. Rural remote councils are particularly vulnerable to risks associated with procurement and conflicts of interest given the size of their electorates.
| Balonne Shire Council | Diamantina Shire Council |
| Barcaldine Regional Council | Flinders Shire Council |
| Barcoo Shire Council | Longreach Regional Council |
| Blackall-Tambo Regional Council | Murweh Shire Council |
| Boulia Shire Council | Paroo Shire Council |
| Carpentaria Shire Council | Richmond Shire Council |
| Croydon Shire Council | Winton Shire Council |
South East Queensland (SEQ) councils
Highly populated urban and peri-urban councils characterised by large revenue bases but high infrastructure and service demands. These councils are involved in significant infrastructure projects and therefore vulnerable to procurement and contract management risks.
| Brisbane City Council | Moreton Bay Regional Council |
| Gold Coast City Council | Redland City Council |
| Ipswich City Council | Sunshine Coast Regional Council |
| Logan City Council | Toowoomba Regional Council |
- According to the Queensland Audit Office, in 2024–25 Queensland’s councils collectively controlled infrastructure and other non financial assets with a total value exceeding $120 billion.
- Queensland has 77 local government areas. Each has different populations, and demographic and economic trends, as well as broad and wide-ranging corruption risks, drivers and enablers.
- Following the 2024 local government elections, 77 mayors and 501 councillors were elected.
- The local government sector employs almost 49,000 staff.
