Douglas Shire responds to Show Cause: Fraser

February 28 2007

Douglas Shire responds to Show Cause: Fraser

Local Government and Planning Minister Andrew Fraser has today received a detailed response from North Queensland’s Douglas Shire Council in relation to a Show Cause Notice issued earlier this month.

Mr Fraser said the response – which met the February 28 deadline – would now need to be considered before a decision on the future of Douglas Shire could be made.

“This is a detailed document which has been provided to the Department of Local Government and Planning within the strict timeframe provided to the council,” Mr Fraser said.

“As you would appreciate it is not a document that can be simply read and considered on the day it has been received and, similarly, this can not be a snap decision.

“I will take the necessary time to study the response and consider the options in the best interest of solid local government for this important North Queensland area and for the ratepayers of the Douglas Shire.”

On February 7, the Douglas Shire Council was requested to Show Cause as to why it should not be dissolved and given three weeks to provide the response.

The action came after a report and supplementary report into the Douglas Shire were prepared by an independent advisor.

“The Douglas Shire Council is a council that has a nationally-recognised planning scheme and also maintains a very sound financial base but on the other hand, the ability of its elected representatives is often compromised by hostility.

“That hostility has called into question the Council’s continuing effectiveness.

“Divisions within the council run so deep that they have reached down and infected the proper functioning of the Council staff.

“In that light, I stress that this is not a decision I will make lightly but one that needs to be made and will be made imminently.”

Media Contact Chris Taylor 0419 710 874