The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) has lodged its appeal against a Supreme Court decision on the way councils can charge rates.

The Court has is designed to encourage tenancy by charging investors extra rates if they did not live in properties they owned.

Last month the Court ruled it was illegal for the Mackay Regional Council to charge investors $200 extra on their annual rates.

It is understood that 19 other councils in Queensland do the same thing, and so the LGAQ has taken up their concerns.

Meanwhile, also in Queensland, a small group of regional  shires has banded together to create a voice for its specific needs.

A Council of Mayors has been formed by six councils in central Queensland.

The Council of Mayors comprises the Mayors or Deputy Mayors of Banana Shire, Central Highlands, Gladstone, Livingstone, Rockhampton and Woorabinda councils to highlight and promote the region.

The group was established to fill a representative gap left since the Central Queensland Local Government Association was disbanded 6 months ago.