In a surprising sign of Australia’s tight rental market, the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) says it has secured year-long leases for multiple venues initially acquired for the March 16 local government elections. 

This approach, prompted by the increasing difficulty in securing commercial premises for electoral purposes, ensures the sites will also be available for the upcoming state election scheduled for October.

The ECQ says approximately 170 venues were used during the council poll, which served various functions such as offices for returning officers and early voting centres. Twelve month leases have been confirmed for 32 of these venues.

The ECQ has cited the cost-effectiveness and logistical advantages of such arrangements in light of the current market's limitations as its main driver. 

Pat Vidgen, the state’s Electoral Commissioner, has expressed concerns over the hurdles in securing appropriate venues for early voting.

He says the leasing strategy also aligns with the ECQ's efforts to optimise resource utilisation and cost efficiency, with the commission planning to deploy the leased sites for office accommodations for returning officers during the state election. 

The Attorney-General Yvette D'Ath says the official estimation of the local government election's total cost is around $37.1 million.