{"id":346910,"date":"2024-04-16T20:31:41","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T10:31:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=346910"},"modified":"2024-04-16T20:31:41","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T10:31:41","slug":"reforms-pass-powers-to-councils","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2024\/04\/16\/reforms-pass-powers-to-councils\/","title":{"rendered":"Reforms Pass Powers To Councils"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Resources Minister Scott Stewart<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

April 16, 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n

Queensland councils are expected to benefit from a suite of land reforms passed by State Parliament on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The Land and Other Legislation Amendment Bill No 2 will give councils expanded powers over the day-to-day management and use of land they hold in trust, allowing timely decisions that are responsive to community needs.<\/p>\n

A new process will also be established to make it easier for trustees to convert land used for public infrastructure – such as aged care facilities, emergency services, and water treatment plants – to freehold.<\/p>\n

The State Government said the reforms would support Queensland\u2019s economic growth through timely delivery of priority projects by simplifying land allocation to government departments.<\/p>\n

This would enable projects like housing, hospitals and schools to be developed sooner.<\/p>\n

The legislation also makes it a mandatory condition for resource companies to pay local government rates and charges as part of their resource authority.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The State Government has also taken steps to update the State\u2019s place names framework.<\/p>\n

The reforms include a faster process for removing names that include derogatory, racist or sexist terms.<\/p>\n

The amendments also expand the allowed format for public submissions on proposals to include video and audio rather than only in writing.<\/p>\n

“These reforms will modernise State land allocation and administration process to better support economic, environmental, and social growth,\u201d Resources Minister Scott Stewart said.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re working together with local councils to provide them flexible options to manage trust land and ensure it continues to meet their communities\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor instance, under the proposed self-assessable framework, a council wouldn\u2019t need my approval to hold a music festival on a recreation reserve provided they have appropriate management plans in place.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is about empowering councils and other trustees to respond to what their communities require at any given time.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know resources projects provide benefits to the regions and local communities in which they operate.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaying their local government rates and charges is an important way resources companies can support both the growth of the sector and the sustainable development of regional communities.”<\/p>\n

In February, <\/strong>South Burnett Regional Council CEO Mark Pitt PSM was part of a Local Government Association of Queensland panel which addressed a State Government committee discussing the proposed amendments.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr Pitt spoke to the difficulties councils have in rating resource companies.<\/p>\n