At Tuesday’s council meeting, Cr Quirk confirmed the LNP opened nomination for the party’s lord mayoral candidate for the 2020 council election.

“There has never been a more exciting time in this city,” he said.

“Today I can confirm that I will be nominating to be the lord mayoral candidate in the 2020 election.

“I am proud of this city, I am enthusiastic about the future and I want to keep Brisbane heading in the right direction.”

When announcing his nomination Cr Quirk also spoke about the city’s major infrastructure projects, including the Brisbane Metro, and called the city a great place to live, work and relax.

Cr Quirk was appointed to the role in 2011 when his predecessor, Campbell Newman, left City Hall to run for premier from outside State Parliament.

Cr Quirk, who won two lord mayoral elections in 2012 and 2016, has been a Brisbane councillor since 1985.

It is understood nominations opened at 2pm on Tuesday and would be open for just a matter of weeks.

As of 4pm Tuesday, Cr Quirk was the only known nominee.

Opposition leader Peter Cumming said Cr Quirk and his administration had grown increasingly out of touch so Labor was happy to face him at an election.

“People are telling us that we need a change. The LNP have been in too long and have grown out of touch," Cr Cumming said.

"People are sick of the arrogance and secrecy that has come from the LNP’s massive majority.”

Cr Cumming said he would not be surprised if Cr Quirk did not run again.

“Given they are calling nominations now he had to say yes or he’d automatically be a lame duck,” he said.

“You wonder what’s happening in the LNP to make them call for nominations so early.”

Cr Cumming said Cr Quirk could still stand down any time after March next year without the need for a by-election.

He said he hoped to see Labor’s lord mayoral candidate in place later this year.