The 2024 Queensland local government election will be held on Saturday, March 16, avoiding a clash with Easter Saturday and the first weekend of the school holidays.

Deputy Premier and Local Government Minister Steven Miles said Cabinet had agreed to change the date from the last Saturday of the month on March 30 on the advice of the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ).

“During school holiday periods, many Queenslanders take holidays to other parts of Queensland, interstate and overseas,” Miles said.

“This would likely see a significant increase in postal and telephone votes, potentially creating delays to declaring election results.”

The last time local government elections clashed with Easter was in 2016, also prompting the date to move a week early.

“This date will support Queenslanders, councillors and candidates to plan for the election campaign and voting day,” Miles said.