Margaret de Wit new LGAQ president

QUEENSLAND'S peak local government body has welcomed its first female president.

Margaret de Wit was elected the Local Government Association of Queensland's president at the organisation's annual conference in Brisbane on Wednesday.

The long-term Brisbane City councillor, who defeated Fraser Coast Mayor Gerard O'Connell for the top spot, will serve a four-year term.

She takes the reins from outgoing president Paul Bell.