Statement on Johnstone Shire Council

February 6 2007

Statement on Johnstone Shire Council

The Supreme Court has today dismissed an application by two Councillors from the Johnstone Shire Council for a review of the State Government’s decision to issue a show cause notice.

The decision means Local Government and Planning Minister Andrew Fraser can now proceed to make a decision in relation to whether or not the council will be dismissed.

The matter dates back to August 2006 when former Local Government Minister Desley Boyle issued the Johnstone Shire Council a show cause notice requiring that it respond to a number of allegations raised in an investigator’s report.

Subsequently, two Johnstone Councillors applied to the Supreme Court for a review of the former Minister’s decision.

In October Mr Fraser gave the Councillors seven days notice of his intention to decide whether to dissolve the Council.

In response the two Councillors sought and were granted an injunction preventing the Minister from taking this course of action and the matter was heard in the Supreme Court in Cairns on October 19.

“Today, Justice Jones has delivered his judgement and the application for review by the Councillors was dismissed,” Mr Fraser said.

“Officers from the Local Government Department and legal representatives are now analysing the decision and I anticipate I will announce my decision this week.”

Media Contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874