Queensland council caretaker period

Written by Jodi Cannon, Senior Manager Business Development & Engagement – Peak Services

With Queensland Local Government Elections scheduled to take place on Saturday 16th March 2024 Peak Services would like to remind council staff who are involved with purchasing and procurement that council will be entering into caretaker mode on the day when the Electoral Commission of Queensland publishes the public notice about holding the election. The caretaker period applies until the end of the election. 

Once council is officially in caretaker mode (which commences from the day the public notice of the election is given) you will be unable to perform the following important procurement functions:  

• to enter into a contract greater than $200,000 or 1% (whichever is greater) of the local government’s net rate and utility charges (as stated in the local government’s audited financial statements included in the local government’s most recently adopted annual report)  

• significant procurement activities, such as establishing preferred supplier arrangements, or establishing exceptions to obtaining quotes or tenders when entering into a contract (although council can still use pre-existing Local Buy LGA Arrangements or their existing preferred/pre-qualified panels to procure goods and services, provided they are not entering into a contract greater than $200,000) 

  Peak Services encourages council officers to carefully consider the timing of significant purchasing and procurement activities and plan accordingly.  

  If you’d like more information please reach out to our Senior Manager Business Development & Engagement, Jodi Cannon jcannon@wearepeak.com.au 

  For further information on the ramifications of caretaker period please refer to the State Government Caretaker Period for local government elections Factsheet