Queensland councils have gathered in Gladstone for the Local Government Association of Queensland's (LGAQ) 121st annual conference.

The two-day conference saw councils debating issues of importance to local communities through a series of exhibits, talks and workshops.

Federal, state and local government members from 77 jurisdictions attended the event, alongside external stakeholders, industry suppliers and the media.

The conference focused on upcoming state elections and the LGAQ board’s Federal, state and local government members from 77 shires attended the event, along with a number of external stakeholders, industry suppliers and members of the media.

This year's conference focused heavily around the upcoming state election, with the LGAQ board’s ten point election plan at the centre of the talks.

The plans include a push to increase early childhood literacy and indigenous support in rural communities.

Council delegates also voted on over 90 motions put forward by local governments.

Speakers included QLD Minister for Local Government Mark Turner, and Education Minister Kate Jones.

Councillors told reporters after the summit that they had been exposed to a number of interesting concepts in panel demonstrations, including details of community-based geothermal power and innovative library programs.

Local government figures also welcomed the chance to network and share ideas among each other.