AS the 19 March local election draws near and the constituents await the swearing in of the Shire’s Mayor and Councillors for the new four year term, there is one event to be held in September that should be of great interest to the newly elected Council.

The Local Government Managers Australia Queensland Annual Conference will be held in Port Douglas from 6-8 September and is set to provide a huge boost to the local economy.

Douglas Shire Council CEO Linda Cardew said securing the annual conference for Port Douglas was a real coup for the region and was expected to inject more than $500,000 in direct benefits.

“The LGMA Queensland Annual Conference will bring at least 120 of Queensland’s most innovative and experienced local government executives to the Douglas Shire,” Ms Cardew said.

Apart from an injection into the Douglas Shire economy, the other major benefit to attendees will be learning new innovative ideas in local government and the opportunities this will present, as well as sharing the Douglas Shire’s own experiences.

“I’ve had the privilege of attending the LGMA annual conference previously and it’s a fantastic platform of sharing ideas and information,” said Ms Cardew.

“I’m very proud we have been able to secure this important and lucrative event for the Douglas Shire and we look forward to showcasing what we are capable of as a community," said Ms Cardew.

LGMA Queensland CEO Peta Irvine said holding the annual conference in Port Douglas had a number of benefits for the organisation.

“Obviously the location is amazing and the natural environment is a real attraction, but it’s also a great opportunity for our members to experience a different part of the state.

“Being a newly-deamalgamated Council, it will be very interesting to learn about the challenges and opportunities the process has created and see how Douglas Shire has navigated these,” said Ms Irvine.

Not only will it be a newly-deamalgamated Council but a newly sworn in Council representing the Shire for the next four years to 2020, which should make sharing the challenges and opportunities all the more interesting.

More than $500,000 in direct local expenditure is expected to be generated from those visiting the region for the three days of the annual conference alone, based on figures provided by the Business Events Council of Australia.