In January 2005 Aboriginal councils that were formerly established under the Community Services (Aborigines) Act 1984 started the transition to full shire council status under the Local Government (Community Government Areas) Act 2004 and began a new and exciting era for the governance of Queensland’s Aboriginal communities.

The 17 Island councils remained under the Community Services (Torres Strait) Act 1984 and were not required to comply with the additional legislative and reporting requirements that came with the transition to shire status.

The task of building governance in Aboriginal shire councils and Island councils was addressed through the Community Governance Improvement Strategy, an integrated and targeted strategy to assist councils over the next four years to transition to the new model, enhance their governance practices and raise community awareness of the role of local government.

Local Government Reform

The Local Government Reform Commission in 2007 reviewed the governance arrangements for the 15 Aboriginal Shires and 17 Island councils as part of the wider review of Queensland’s local government structure. Particular focus was placed on the Torres Strait and northern peninsula areas as part of the government's commitment to local government reform.

Representatives of the Island councils and Aboriginal shire councils were consulted in Cairns in September 2007 on the key components of the reforms and the Local Government and Other Legislation (Indigenous Regional Councils) Amendment Act 2007 (the Act). The Queensland Government passed the Act on 22 November 2007.

As a result of the Local Government Reform Commission’s recommendations the three Aboriginal Shires in the northern peninsula area (New Mapoon, Injinoo and Umagico) amalgamated with the two Island councils (Bamaga and Seisia) to form the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council.  The first election for the newly formed council was in March 2008.

The remaining 15 Island councils in the Torres Strait amalgamated to form the Torres Strait Island Regional Council. The first election for the newly formed council was in March 2008.

The governance reforms will facilitate increased accountability and sustainability, improved decision-making and efficient service delivery, while maintaining cultural identity and representation for the Torres Strait Island and northern peninsula area communities.

Role of our Department

The department is committed to supporting Queensland’s Aboriginal Shires and the two Indigenous Regional Council, (the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council and Torres Strait Island Regional Council) in their transition to new and improved governance models.

This financial year up to $60 million will be provided to Indigenous councils to build, operate and maintain a range of infrastructure, with goals of improved community health and improved local government services for the community.

The department is also developing and implementing best practice financial management and accountability frameworks for Indigenous councils and will undertake a range of statutory services to assist those councils.