Local government areas of Queensland facts for kids

This map shows all the different Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Queensland.

Welcome to Queensland! Did you know that Australia is divided into smaller areas called Local Government Areas (LGAs)? These areas are like local neighbourhoods or districts, and each one has its own council. This council is a group of people elected by the community to make decisions about local services.

These services include things like looking after parks, roads, libraries, and rubbish collection. They help make sure your local area is a great place to live! This page lists all the LGAs in Queensland, grouped by their larger regions.

Understanding Local Government Areas

Local Government Areas are important because they help manage local communities. Think of them as the smallest level of government, working closely with the people who live there. Each LGA has a main office, often called the Council Seat, where the local council meets and works.

What is a Council?

A council is a group of people chosen by the community to represent them. They listen to what local people need and make decisions about how to spend money on local services. This helps improve the area for everyone.

How LGAs Change: Amalgamation and De-amalgamation

Sometimes, smaller LGAs join together to form a bigger one. This is called an amalgamation. It often happens to make local government more efficient. For example, several small towns might combine their councils into one larger regional council.

Other times, a large LGA might split into smaller ones again. This is called de-amalgamation. This happens if people feel their local area isn't being properly represented in a very large council. You'll see some examples of both in the list below!

Queensland's Local Government Areas by Region

Here is a list of Queensland's LGAs, organised by their larger regions. You'll see the name of the LGA, where its main council office is, how big it is, and how many people live there.

Name	Council Seat	Region	Year Started	Area (km²)	Population (2015)	Notes	Map
Brisbane, City ofCity of Brisbane	Brisbane	South East Queensland	1924	&&&&&&&&&&&01367.&&&&&01,367	1,162,186	Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland. It was formed by joining many smaller cities, towns, and shires in 1924.
Shire of Noosa	Tewantin	South East Queensland	2014	&&&&&&&&&&&&0868.700000868.7	53,515	Noosa became its own shire again in 2014, after being part of the Sunshine Coast Region.
Gold Coast, City ofCity of Gold Coast	Surfers Paradise	South East Queensland	1948	&&&&&&&&&&&01358.&&&&&01,358	555,608
Ipswich, City ofCity of Ipswich	Ipswich	South East Queensland	1860	&&&&&&&&&&&01089.&&&&&01,089	193,015
Lockyer Valley Region, Lockyer Valley Region	Gatton	South East Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&02273.&&&&&02,273	38,798	This region was created in 2008 by combining the Shires of Gatton and Laidley.
Logan City, Logan City	Logan Central	South East Queensland	1978	&&&&&&&&&&&&0913.&&&&&0913	308,681	Logan City grew in 2008, taking in part of the Shire of Beaudesert.
Moreton Bay Region, Moreton Bay Region	Caboolture	South East Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&02011.&&&&&02,011	425,482	Formed in 2008 from the City of Redcliffe and the Shires of Pine Rivers and Caboolture.
Redland City, Redland City	Cleveland	South East Queensland	1949	&&&&&&&&&&&&0537.&&&&&0537	149,989
Scenic Rim Region, Scenic Rim Region	Beaudesert	South East Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&04256.&&&&&04,256	39,757	This region was created in 2008 from parts of the Shires of Boonah and Beaudesert, and areas from Ipswich.
Somerset Region, Somerset Region	Esk	South East Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&05379.&&&&&05,379	24,007	Created in 2008 by joining the Shires of Esk and Kilcoy.
Sunshine Coast Region, Sunshine Coast Region	Nambour	South East Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&02251.&&&&&02,251	287,539	Formed in 2008 from the City of Caloundra and the Shires of Maroochy and Noosa. The Shire of Noosa later became separate again in 2014.
Banana, Shire ofShire of Banana	Biloela	Wide Bay-Burnett	1879	&&&&&&&&&&028577.&&&&&028,577	15,773	The Shire of Banana expanded in 2008 to include part of the Shire of Taroom.
Bundaberg Region, Bundaberg Region	Bundaberg	Wide Bay-Burnett	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&06451.&&&&&06,451	94,380	This region was created in 2008 by combining the City of Bundaberg and the Shires of Burnett, Isis, and Kolan.
Cherbourg, Aboriginal Shire ofAboriginal Shire of Cherbourg	Cherbourg	Wide Bay-Burnett	1986	&&&&&&&&&&&&&032.&&&&&032	1,291
Fraser Coast Region, Fraser Coast Region	Hervey Bay	Wide Bay-Burnett	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&07125.&&&&&07,125	101,977	Formed in 2008 from the Cities of Hervey Bay and Maryborough, and parts of the Shires of Woocoo and Tiaro.
Gympie Region, Gympie Region	Gympie	Wide Bay-Burnett	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&06898.&&&&&06,898	48,681	Created in 2008 from the Shires of Cooloola and Kilkivan, and part of the Shire of Tiaro.
North Burnett Region, North Burnett Region	Gayndah	Wide Bay-Burnett	2008	&&&&&&&&&&019708.&&&&&019,708	10,292	This region was formed in 2008 by combining six different shires: Biggenden, Eidsvold, Gayndah, Monto, Mundubbera, and Perry.
South Burnett Region, South Burnett Region	Kingaroy	Wide Bay-Burnett	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&08399.&&&&&08,399	32,575	Created in 2008 from the Shires of Kingaroy, Nanango, Murgon, and Wondai.
Goondiwindi Region, Goondiwindi Region	Goondiwindi	Darling Downs	2008	&&&&&&&&&&019294.&&&&&019,294	11,022	Formed in 2008 from the Town of Goondiwindi and the Shires of Waggamba and Inglewood.
Southern Downs Region, Southern Downs Region	Warwick	Darling Downs	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&07120.&&&&&07,120	35,738	Created in 2008 by joining the Shires of Warwick and Stanthorpe.
Toowoomba Region, Toowoomba Region	Toowoomba	Darling Downs	2008	&&&&&&&&&&012973.&&&&&012,973	163,232	This large region was formed in 2008 from the City of Toowoomba and seven other shires.
Western Downs Region, Western Downs Region	Dalby	Darling Downs	2008	&&&&&&&&&&038039.&&&&&038,039	33,799	First called the Dalby Region in 2008, it was renamed Western Downs Region in 2009. It was formed from the Town of Dalby and five shires.
Central Highlands Region, Central Highlands Region	Emerald	Central Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&059884.&&&&&059,884	31,454	Created in 2008 from the Shires of Bauhinia, Duaringa, Emerald, and Peak Downs.
Gladstone Region, Gladstone Region	Gladstone	Central Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&010488.&&&&&010,488	67,464	Formed in 2008 from the City of Gladstone and the Shires of Calliope and Miriam Vale.
Isaac Region, Isaac Region	Moranbah	Central Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&058862.&&&&&058,862	24,267	Created in 2008 from the Shires of Belyando, Broadsound, and Nebo.
Mackay Region, Mackay Region	Mackay	Central Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&07621.&&&&&07,621	123,724	Formed in 2008 from the City of Mackay and the Shires of Mirani and Sarina.
Rockhampton Region, Rockhampton Region	Rockhampton	Central Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&018361.&&&&&018,361	83,653	Created in 2008 from the City of Rockhampton and three shires. The Shire of Livingstone later became separate again in 2014.
Shire of Livingstone	Yeppoon	Central Queensland	2014	&&&&&&&&&&011776.&&&&&011,776	37,001	Livingstone became its own shire again in 2014, after being part of the Rockhampton Region.
Woorabinda, Aboriginal Shire ofAboriginal Shire of Woorabinda	Woorabinda	Central Queensland	1986	&&&&&&&&&&&&0391.&&&&&0391	1,001
Burdekin, Shire ofShire of Burdekin	Ayr	North Queensland	1888	&&&&&&&&&&&05052.&&&&&05,052	17,831
Charters Towers Region, Charters Towers Region	Charters Towers	North Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&068388.&&&&&068,388	12,433	Formed in 2008 from the City of Charters Towers and the Shire of Dalrymple.
Hinchinbrook, Shire ofShire of Hinchinbrook	Ingham	North Queensland	1879	&&&&&&&&&&&02811.&&&&&02,811	11,352
Palm Island, Aboriginal Shire ofAboriginal Shire of Palm Island	Palm Island	North Queensland	1986	&&&&&&&&&&&&&071.&&&&&071	2,671
Townsville, City ofCity of Townsville	Townsville	North Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&03733.&&&&&03,733	193,946	The new City of Townsville was created in 2008 by joining the former City of Townsville and the City of Thuringowa.
Whitsunday Region, Whitsunday Region	Bowen	North Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&023856.&&&&&023,856	34,312	Formed in 2008 from the Shires of Whitsunday and Bowen.
Aurukun, Shire ofShire of Aurukun	Aurukun	Far North Queensland	1978	&&&&&&&&&&&07375.&&&&&07,375	1,424
Cairns Region, Cairns Region	Cairns	Far North Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&04128.&&&&&04,128	160,285	Created in 2008 from the City of Cairns and the Shire of Douglas. The Shire of Douglas later became separate again in 2014.
Shire of Mareeba	Mareeba	Far North Queensland	2014	&&&&&&&&&&053610.&&&&&053,610	21,833	Mareeba became its own shire again in 2014, after being part of the Tablelands Region.
Cassowary Coast Region, Cassowary Coast Region	Innisfail	Far North Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&04701.&&&&&04,701	28,689	Formed in 2008 from the Shires of Cardwell and Johnstone.
Cook, Shire ofShire of Cook	Cooktown	Far North Queensland	1919	&&&&&&&&&0106188.&&&&&0106,188	4,388
Hopevale, Hopevale	Hopevale	Far North Queensland	1986	&&&&&&&&&&&01118.&&&&&01,118	1,125
Kowanyama, Aboriginal Shire ofAboriginal Shire of Kowanyama	Kowanyama	Far North Queensland	1987	&&&&&&&&&&&02576.&&&&&02,576	1,142
Lockhart River, Lockhart River	Lockhart River	Far North Queensland	1987	&&&&&&&&&&&03545.&&&&&03,545	548
Mapoon Aboriginal Shire, Mapoon Aboriginal Shire	Mapoon	Far North Queensland	2002	&&&&&&&&&&&&0530.&&&&&0530	294
Napranum Aboriginal Shire, Napranum Aboriginal Shire	Napranum	Far North Queensland	1989	&&&&&&&&&&&01995.&&&&&01,995	962
Northern Peninsula Area Region, Northern Peninsula Area Region	Bamaga	Far North Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&01030.&&&&&01,030	2,714
Pormpuraaw, Aboriginal Shire ofAboriginal Shire of Pormpuraaw	Pormpuraaw	Far North Queensland	1987	&&&&&&&&&&&04433.&&&&&04,433	743
Tablelands Region, Tablelands Region	Malanda	Far North Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&064999.&&&&&064,999	24,997	Created in 2008 from four shires. The Shire of Mareeba later became separate again in 2014.
Shire of Douglas	Mossman	Far North Queensland	2014	&&&&&&&&&&&02436.&&&&&02,436	11,661	Douglas became its own shire again in 2014, after being part of the Cairns Region.
Torres, Shire ofShire of Torres	Thursday Island	Far North Queensland	1974	&&&&&&&&&&&&0886.&&&&&0886	3,665
Torres Strait Island Region, Torres Strait Island Region	Thursday Island	Far North Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&&&0489.&&&&&0489	4,635
Weipa Town, Weipa Town	Weipa	Far North Queensland	1963	&&&&&&&&&&&&&010.90000010.9	3,966	This town is managed by a mining company, Rio Tinto Group, under its own special law.
Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire	Wujal Wujal	Far North Queensland	1987	&&&&&&&&&&&&&011.&&&&&011	296
Yarrabah, Aboriginal Shire ofAboriginal Shire of Yarrabah	Yarrabah	Far North Queensland	1986	&&&&&&&&&&&&0158.&&&&&0158	2,686
Burke, Shire ofShire of Burke	Burketown	North West Queensland	1885	&&&&&&&&&&040126.&&&&&040,126	562
Carpentaria, Shire ofShire of Carpentaria	Normanton	North West Queensland	1883	&&&&&&&&&&064373.&&&&&064,373	2,262
Cloncurry, Shire ofShire of Cloncurry	Cloncurry	North West Queensland	1884	&&&&&&&&&&048113.&&&&&048,113	3,351
Croydon, Shire ofShire of Croydon	Croydon	North West Queensland	1887	&&&&&&&&&&029578.&&&&&029,578	326
Doomadgee, Aboriginal Shire ofAboriginal Shire of Doomadgee	Doomadgee	North West Queensland	1987	&&&&&&&&&&&01862.&&&&&01,862	1,399
Etheridge, Shire ofShire of Etheridge	Georgetown	North West Queensland	1882	&&&&&&&&&&039332.&&&&&039,332	926
Flinders, Shire ofShire of Flinders	Hughenden	North West Queensland	1882	&&&&&&&&&&041538.&&&&&041,538	1,792
McKinlay, Shire ofShire of McKinlay	Julia Creek	North West Queensland	1891	&&&&&&&&&&040880.&&&&&040,880	1,062
Mornington, Shire ofShire of Mornington	Gununa	North West Queensland	1978	&&&&&&&&&&&01232.&&&&&01,232	1,225
Mount Isa, City ofCity of Mount Isa	Mount Isa	North West Queensland	1914	&&&&&&&&&&043349.&&&&&043,349	22,517
Richmond, Shire ofShire of Richmond	Richmond	North West Queensland	1910	&&&&&&&&&&026602.&&&&&026,602	832
Barcaldine Region, Barcaldine Region	Barcaldine	Central West Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&053677.&&&&&053,677	3,342	Created in 2008 by joining the Shires of Barcaldine, Aramac, and Jericho.
Barcoo, Shire ofShire of Barcoo	Jundah	Central West Queensland	1885	&&&&&&&&&&062001.&&&&&062,001	357
Blackall-Tambo Region, Blackall-Tambo Region	Blackall	Central West Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&030451.&&&&&030,451	2,238	Formed in 2008 by combining the Shires of Blackall and Tambo.
Boulia, Shire ofShire of Boulia	Boulia	Central West Queensland	1887	&&&&&&&&&&061102.&&&&&061,102	490
Diamantina, Shire ofShire of Diamantina	Bedourie	Central West Queensland	1879	&&&&&&&&&&094823.&&&&&094,823	288
Longreach Region, Longreach Region	Longreach	Central West Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&040638.&&&&&040,638	4,092	Created in 2008 by joining the Shires of Longreach, Ilfracombe, and Isisford.
Winton, Shire ofShire of Winton	Winton	Central West Queensland	1886	&&&&&&&&&&053935.&&&&&053,935	1,359
Balonne, Shire ofShire of Balonne	St George	South West Queensland	1883	&&&&&&&&&&031150.&&&&&031,150	4,826
Bulloo, Shire ofShire of Bulloo	Thargomindah	South West Queensland	1880	&&&&&&&&&&073807.&&&&&073,807	396
Maranoa Region, Maranoa Region	Roma	South West Queensland	2008	&&&&&&&&&&058830.&&&&&058,830	13,862	First called the Roma Region in 2008, it was renamed Maranoa Region in 2009. It was formed from the Town of Roma and four shires.
Murweh, Shire ofShire of Murweh	Charleville	South West Queensland	1879	&&&&&&&&&&040742.&&&&&040,742	4,626
Paroo, Shire ofShire of Paroo	Cunnamulla	South West Queensland	1879	&&&&&&&&&&047714.&&&&&047,714	1,841
Quilpie, Shire ofShire of Quilpie	Quilpie	South West Queensland	1930	&&&&&&&&&&067633.&&&&&067,633	948