Whitsunday Electoral Arrangements

Consultation results and next steps

We thank the community for having their say on Whitsunday Electoral Arrangements! Council considered consultation results at the 18 March 2026 Ordinary Council Meeting, deciding to retain our current divided electoral model.

We sought community feedback on electoral arrangements to inform how Councillors are elected and represent the community at the 2028 local government election. The consultation asked residents whether the current divisional structure should be retained or whether Council should move to an undivided electoral model.

Please view our Consultation summary or detailed Consultation report for more information. Key feedback included:

• Majority of respondents across consultation channels expressed support for retaining the current divided electoral model.
• Support for divisions was strongest in Bowen, Collinsville and Proserpine, where respondents emphasised the importance of local representation and accessibility to elected members.
• The most frequently cited reason for supporting divisions was the value of local candidates who understand the needs of individual towns and rural communities.
• Many respondents expressed concern that an undivided model could result in councillors being elected predominantly from larger population centres, potentially leaving smaller communities and rural areas under-represented.
• Respondents supporting an undivided model highlighted benefits including greater regional accountability, cost efficiency, stronger strategic decision-making, and a unified regional approach.
• Some participants indicated a desire for more candidates and the ability to vote for all councillors across the region, rather than only divisional representatives.
• Several comments raised broader governance considerations, including equity of resource allocation, visibility of councillors in communities and accountability to residents.

Council is seeking feedback on electoral arrangements for the next local government election in 2028, to inform whether our councillors divisions become undivided or remain in divisions.

Presently, we have six divisions picking from candidates in their local area, alongside a Mayor for the region. Being ‘Undivided’ means there are no divisional boundaries, and a team of Mayor & Councillors are chosen by the voting public to represent the region as a whole.

Currently across Queensland, 70% of local governments are undivided, with 29% Divided and 1% Multi Member Divisions.

In 2022, we received feedback from the community on the preferred model, with 62% of 463 submissions favouring undivided and 38% supporting divisions. Low feedback rate and small majority resulted in a decision to make no change, until more extensive consultation could be conducted.

View our fact sheet and media release for more information. View Electoral Commission Queensland Maps of each division within documents tab.

We invite residents to learn more about each electoral models and share their feedback through our online engagement portal or via hardcopy surveys available at Customer Service Centres. Community members can also meet the project team and discuss ideas at upcoming consultation events:

• Whitsunday Plaza, Cannonvale – Thursday 22 January, 12pm – 5pm
• Collinsville IGA – Wednesday 28 January, 10am – 2pm
• Proserpine Freshfields – Friday 30 January, 9am – 1pm
• Bowen Centrepoint Plaza – Thursday 29 January 12pm – 4pm