August 28, 2015
Fighting for the South Burnett to get a larger slice of the taxation pie was top of the agenda when South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann went to Brisbane this week.
The Mayor, who is on the Local Government Association of Queensland’s Policy Executive, attended the launch of the LGAQ’s Advocacy Action Plan and a Policy Executive meeting on Wednesday.
The meetings were a chance for him to network with other mayors, talk with policy advisers and chat informally with influential political figures, including Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.
“The LGAQ is instrumental in helping councils like ours secure more funding for critical projects and get our voice heard by the State and Federal governments,” Mayor Kratzmann said.
“Never before have councils had to do so much with so little.
“Funding has changed drastically over the last 30 or 40 years and State and Federal governments have pulled back, so councils have had to step in.
“But in the LGAQ, mayors can get together and governments are starting to learn what our regions have to deal with.”
The Advocacy Action Plan addresses key policies including infrastructure funding, planning and development, and financial sustainability.
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In other news, Mayor Kratzmann will soon be providing information about what it’s really like to be a mayor or councillor to intending candidates who may be thinking about standing at the next Local Government Elections in March 2016 … but not in the South Burnett.
The Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning conducts community awareness programs every four years to promote and support the elections.
One of the major features of the programs are intending candidates seminars, which are held around the State.
The seminars are designed to give prospective candidates insight into the roles and responsibilities of Councillors and assist them to make an informed decision about whether to nominate for election or not.
This time around, the department has asked the Mayor if he’d be a guest presenter.
Mayor Kratzmann said he was flattered by the request, but had only agreed on the proviso that he didn’t deliver any seminars in the region.
“I am retiring at the next election and I don’t want anyone to think I’m partial to any particular candidate,” the Mayor said.
“I’ll be happy to speak in other regions but I think here in the South Burnett people should make up their own minds.
“However, I’m sure that whatever mayors or councillors speak here will be just as qualified to offer good advice.”
The timetable for the seminars is currently being drawn up by the department, but they are expected to be held in October and November between 6:00pm and 8:00pm.
The timetable will be advertised through a range of State and regional media outlets when it is finalised.
