Council advocates for return to 10 single-councillor divisions

Published on 01 October 2026

Ipswich City Council is seeking community views on a proposal to return to 10 single-councillor divisions, more than six years after the switch to four dual-councillor divisions.

At its September Ordinary Council meeting, council resolved to write to the Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, the Hon Ann Leahy MP, requesting urgent consideration of how the growing city’s divisions will look at the March 2028 local government elections.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said returning to 10 single-councillor divisions would return Ipswich to a level and structure of representation more consistent with other South East Queensland councils.

“The current four-division model with two councillors each was established by the Local Government Change Commission in 2019 following the dismissal of the former council, and commenced at the 2020 local government elections,” Mayor Harding said.

“Practical experience since that time has shown this structure has caused confusion for residents about which councillor to contact, blurred responsibility for local issues, and duplication of work.

“It has also meant increased challenges for the city’s current eight councillors representing around 70,000 residents, with large divisions containing diverse urban and rural communities.

“Council made a submission to the Change Commission in 2022 seeking consideration of alternative electoral arrangements.

“While that submission did not result in a change, it identified concerns that remain relevant today.

“Now is the time to properly consider how Ipswich residents should be represented, ahead of the 2028 local government elections.”

Community consultation seeking to understand levels of community support for a 10-division model will run on council’s Shape Your Ipswich website from Thursday 1 October to Sunday 18 October.

“This community consultation period will focus on gaining a broad understanding of community views on how our city is best represented at a local government level,” Mayor Harding said.

“I encourage all residents to share their thoughts, which will help inform council’s advice to the Minister and Local Government Change Commission about what our city needs in the years ahead.”

Mayor Harding said community consultation undertaken during the 2019 electoral arrangements review found single-councillor divisions were favoured.

“The consultation also highlighted the importance residents place on having a clearly identifiable, locally accountable representative,” Mayor Harding said.

“Council’s position is that our community would be best served by electoral arrangements consisting of a mayor and 10 single-councillor divisions.

“This arrangement would provide each community with a clearly identifiable local representative, establish direct democratic accountability, reduce duplication, and give councillors clearer responsibility for understanding and responding to local growth, infrastructure and service pressures.”

To give feedback visit Shapeyouripswich.com.au