Review of Queensland Government Legislation on Homelessness

An overview of the Local Government Act 2009 and its role in addressing homelessness and local council responsibilities.

📜 Overview

The Local Government Act 2009 provides a governance framework for local councils in Queensland. While it does not explicitly address homelessness, it establishes principles that enable councils to implement housing programs, shelters, and social services.

The Act ensures that local governments operate in an accountable, effective, and sustainable manner.

Transparency & Governance: Local governments must act ethically and efficiently (§3).
Social Inclusion & Community Engagement: Councils should consider homelessness-related policies (§4).
Sustainable Development: Includes managing housing infrastructure effectively.

Local councils are responsible for "the good rule and governance" of their areas.

They can implement and fund programs related to housing, shelters, and homelessness services.
They oversee community development strategies that affect homeless individuals.

Local governments have broad authority to govern their regions, including:

Collaborating with state and federal agencies on homelessness initiatives.
Partnering with NGOs and support organizations to manage housing programs.

Councillors must represent the current and future interests of residents, including:

Ensuring that housing and social services meet community needs.
Advocating for increased homelessness support and funding.

Employees are required to:

Implement policies that promote efficient public resource management.
Ensure equitable access to housing and social programs.

While not explicitly required, councils can:

Develop affordable housing initiatives.
Fund and operate homeless shelters.
Partner with social service organizations to assist the homeless.

Local governments may receive state and federal funding for homelessness programs.

Joint government initiatives ensure better resource distribution for social housing.

✅ Conclusion

The Local Government Act 2009 (QLD) establishes the governance framework for councils but lacks clear responsibilities and funding mechanisms for addressing homelessness. This review has identified critical gaps in the legislation, including:

No legal requirement for councils to allocate land or resources for homelessness services.
Limited funding pathways, leaving councils unable to develop sustainable housing solutions.
Barriers to regulatory approvals for emergency shelters, boarding houses, and transitional housing.
Lack of coordination between local, state, and federal levels, resulting in fragmented service delivery.

🔹 Key Actions for Implementation

1️⃣ Immediate Actions for Local Governments

✅ Develop Local Housing & Homelessness Action Plans to integrate homelessness strategies into planning schemes.
✅ Conduct a homelessness needs assessment and allocate land for shelters and crisis accommodation.
✅ Implement fast-tracked approval processes for emergency housing developments.
✅ Advocate for increased State & Federal funding for local homelessness programs.

2️⃣ State Government Responsibilities

✅ Amend the Local Government Act 2009 to explicitly define local councils’ roles in homelessness services.
✅ Establish a State-funded homelessness grant program for local governments.
✅ Expand eligibility for boarding houses and supported accommodation providers to access State housing funds.

3️⃣ Federal Government & Legislative Advocacy

✅ Align Queensland’s funding model with the SAAP Act, ensuring federal-state coordination on homelessness funding.
✅ Improve NDIS integration with homelessness services, ensuring access for individuals with disabilities.
✅ Strengthen funding transparency and accountability, ensuring councils and housing providers receive equitable resources.

📢 Community Engagement & Advocacy

The success of these recommendations depends on strong advocacy, cross-sector collaboration, and community support. We encourage:

✅ Community members to voice their support by engaging with local representatives.
✅ Non-profits and housing providers to align with councils in developing sustainable solutions.
✅ Policymakers to work together in ensuring homelessness is addressed through structured, well-funded initiatives.

🚨 With homelessness rising across Queensland, these actions cannot wait.

By implementing these reforms, we can create a housing system that ensures safety, dignity, and stability for all.

📢 Final Call to Action

🏛️ We urge the Queensland Government, local councils, and federal representatives to act on these recommendations immediately.

🏠 Housing is a fundamental human right—this legislative reform will create lasting solutions for the most vulnerable in our communities.