Brisbane's Lord Mayor Graham Quirk will quit the top job next week, eight years to the day he succeeded Campbell Newman.

Key points: The decision comes just under a year before the next election

The decision comes just under a year before the next election Cr Quirk said he couldn't commit to four more years in the job

Cr Quirk said he couldn't commit to four more years in the job His predecessor Campbell Newman said Cr Quirk made a major contribution to the city

The 62-year-old said after 34 years in council it was time for generational change.

"I just feel now is the right time to hand the reins over and pass the baton," he said.

The decision comes 11 months out from the next council elections.

Cr Quirk said he could not commit to another four years but denied he was quitting because he was concerned about his prospects at the next poll.

"It wasn't a consideration at all. Every election is a big fight … and I've faced a lot of them," he told ABC Radio Brisbane.

"It was a personal assessment together with [my wife] Anne … She does a lot of work behind the scenes. We came to a joint decision that this was probably the right time."

Cr Quirk listed the Howard Smith Wharves development, a major park at Oxley Creek, putting LED lights on city landmarks, and the yet-to-be-built Brisbane Metro bus system among his achievements.

But he said no matter what time he left, there would always be a list of jobs left to complete.

"I felt a little frustrated in recent times in terms of the speed of State Government approvals for [Brisbane Metro]," he said.

"It's now up to the next person to take it forward and make it happen."

The LNP party room will meet on Sunday to decide who will replace him in the top job.

Graham Quirk hands the keys of the city to boxer Jeff Horn. ( ABC News: James Maasdorp )

Mr Newman, also a former Queensland premier, thanked Cr Quirk on Twitter for his service to Brisbane.

"You have made a major contribution to our community and can be proud of your legacy," he said.

Labor lord mayoral candidate Rod Harding, who Cr Quirk beat at the 2016 council election, thanked him for his service and wished him the best for the future.

Greens councillor Jonathan Sri wished Cr Quirk the best for his retirement.

"Graham Quirk and I obviously disagree about a lot of things, but I do acknowledge that elected office is a big sacrifice and a big responsibility and I think he has worked hard for the city in his time as Lord Mayor," he said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk thanked Cr Quirk for his contribution to Brisbane, while Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said he leaves the city a better place.

'He's not a show-off'

Sallyanne Atkinson was lord mayor of Brisbane from 1985 to 1991 and Mr Quirk was a 27-year-old councillor when she was elected into the top job.

Sallyanne Atkinson was Lord Mayor of Brisbane from 1985 to 1991. ( ABC News: Tom Forbes )

She said he was leaving a remarkable legacy.

"He's taken Brisbane to a whole new level ," she said.

"Brisbane is now truly an international city — you just have to walk around town so see so many visitors from overseas, people enjoying South Bank and the very large number of hotels that have opened in recent times."

Ms Atkinson said he had been a steady hand at the helm.

"One of the strongest characteristics that Graham Quirk has is that he's authentic, he genuinely loves Brisbane — he has a very strong feeling for it — but he has always been true to himself," she said.

"What you see is what you get — he's not a show-off."

Cr Quirk entered council in 1985 as councillor for the Rochedale Ward.

He served as deputy lord mayor under Campbell Newman and took over the top job when his predecessor sought to make the jump to state politics.

Cr Quirk said the biggest challenges during his tenure were the problems with Council's IT systems.

Council's technology upgrades suffered a $60 million cost blowout, and accusations that it knew about the alleged exploitation of IT subcontractors brought to Australia on 457 visas.

After years of being accused by the Opposition and some community groups of overdevelopment, last year his administration announced a plan to stop townhouses and apartments being built in areas for single homes.

The move was described by the Opposition as "a multi-million-dollar mea culpa".

The LNP won the last council election in a landslide, reducing the Labor opposition to just five seats.