June 29, 2012
Queensland councils have until August 29 to apply to de-amalgamate following the appointment today of former Mackay Mayor Colin Meng as Boundaries Commissioner.
Mr Meng will examine proposals from former councils who show strong community interest in returning to their 2008 boundaries.
Local Government Minister David Crisafulli said the de-amalgamation process would not be easy but communities deserved the right to put forward a case.
“We would prefer councils try to make amalgamation work because, despite the pain and suffering Labor put many communities through, the social and financial costs to de-amalgamate could be even worse,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“While many councils have moved on after the brutal amalgamations, in a handful of cases, the wounds are still raw.
“We believe in giving local communities the chance to put forward a case to return to their former shires but with a full understanding there will be costs involved.”
Any council wishing to de-amalgamate would need to:
- Provide a strong, evidence-based, community-backed submission based on the pre-amalgamation Local Government boundaries.
- Table a detailed estimate of the potential financial costs.
- Demonstrate an understanding that the former Shire wishing to de-amalgamate would have to meet all costs involved.
- Provide a petition signed by at least 20 per cent of the voting population.
The Commissioner would assist the communities as they prepare their submissions, which must be made to the Minister by August 29.
The Minister would decide which submissions meet the criteria and pass them on to Mr Meng who will work with the Queensland Treasury Corporation to determine the exact financial costs of de-amalgamation.
The Commissioner’s report, due by November 28, would be made public and include an analysis of the benefits and costs, financial forecasts for the de-amalgamated council, recommendations on reallocating community assets and electoral arrangements.
If approved, proposals would go to a referendum where residents in the area wishing to break away could vote for or against the de-amalgamation.
Mr Meng served as Mayor of Mackay Regional Council for the four-year period immediately following amalgamations and has a good understanding of local government.
“Queenslanders feel very strongly about their communities and there is no doubt that some still feel they lost their identity during the forced amalgamations in 2008. This process will help them look to the future,” Mr Meng said.
The appointment of the boundaries commissioner was one of the State Government’s First 100-day Action Plan commitments and a key component of its Empowering Local Government policy platform.
The Terms of Reference are available on the Boundaries Commission website
