The State Government is claiming the biggest reform of Local Government in a generation with the passing of a new Act in Parliament late last night.
Local Government Minister David Crisafulli said amendments to the Local Government and City of Brisbane Acts would change the way councils do business.
“I’ve met with Queensland’s 73 Councils, and they wanted change,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“The Mayors and councillors are united on this, regardless of political leanings, the size of their Council, or their location.
“If we want to change the economy, we need to change the things that were holding Queensland back.
“The previous Act made councils less responsive to their communities because they were too busy reporting to George Street in Brisbane.
“Whether it’s Brisbane City Council having to pay $5000 for tabling the minutes in the wrong order, or regional mayors having to keep pointless logs of requests to their CEOs, we can do a lot better.
“Voters are back in the driver’s seat with their councils, rather than bureaucrats and the State Government.”
Mr Crisafulli visited the 73 councils around the State to listen to their concerns.
“Big or small, country or city, the message was the same: stop the stupid rules and regulations.”
Changes include:
- Mayors and councillors put back in control of councils
- Red tape cut by dispensing with annual community and financial plans
- Councils can establish their own local laws, and residential occupiers will now be responsible for complying with them, as well as owners
- Councils can again hold referendums on issues of significant local interest
- Changes to conflict of interest regulations will exempt councillors from declaring a material personal interest at a meeting regarding an “ordinary business matter”, but increaase the penalties for rogue councillors
- Allow councillors to keep their positions while contesting State Government elections, rather than forcing councillors to vacate their position when nominating, and forcing the Council to hold a by-election to replace them.
