The Queensland Government has delivered on its 100 Day Plan commitment and appointed highly respected public sector executive, Andrew Chesterman, to lead its Local Government Red Tape Reduction Taskforce.
With Mr Chesterman at the helm, the Taskforce will engage with councils across the State to find ways to streamline approvals and reduce the barriers for local governments to deliver for their communities.
The Taskforce will focus on identifying opportunities that support efficient and effective council infrastructure project delivery, save money for Queensland ratepayers and enhance long term council sustainability.
Consultation will commence from February 2025, with the Taskforce due to deliver a report on its findings to the Crisafulli Government by 30 June 2025.
The Taskforce is part of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to delivering a fresh start for Queensland.
Minister for Local Government and Water Ann Leahy said the Taskforce was well placed to begin its work.
“We promised Queenslanders a fresh start and we continue to deliver just that,” Minister Leahy said.
“Andrew Chesterman has hit the ground running as our Taskforce lead, bringing with him over 30 years of professional and public administration experience – including Director-General and CEO roles in both state and local government.
“Working in partnership with the sector to understand where red tape can be reduced is crucial to supporting councils to efficiently and effectively deliver infrastructure and services for their communities.
“I look forward to receiving the recommendations of the Taskforce later this year.”
Taskforce lead, Andrew Chesterman, said he was eager to begin engaging with local governments and stakeholders across the state.
“Coming from a background in local government, I’m all too aware of the burden over-regulation can place on the sector,” Mr Chesterman said.
“Local councils are the experts on their communities, and I look forward to working with them as well as others within the sector to understand how regulation can better serve their needs.”
Local Government Association of Queensland CEO Alison Smith said the LGAQ welcomed today’s announcement by the State Government, establishing a Red Tape Reduction Taskforce which will be led by Andrew Chesterman.
“As a former long-term Queensland council CEO, Andrew is a well-known and respected local government leader, and the LGAQ looks forward to supporting Andrew and the Taskforce in delivering this important work,” Ms Smith said.
“Queensland councils are acutely aware of the impact on local communities of overly complex, duplicated and otherwise unnecessary regulation.
“Queensland councils have put forward resolution after resolution seeking regulatory changes that would help councils run more efficiently.
“We are looking forward to the review achieving cuts to red tape as well as empowering local councils to provide solutions that best serve their communities.”
