Boundaries Outdate Bradman’s First Ton

6 July 2007

Boundaries Outdate Bradman’s First Ton

A State-wide Queensland Government public awareness campaign will begin this weekend, reinforcing the reasons for local government reform and reminding Queenslanders of the process being undertaken.

Local Government Minister Andrew Fraser today launched the Stronger Councils campaign which emphasises Queensland’s century-old local government boundaries and the need for change.

The independent Local Government Reform Commission has been charged with the task of reviewing boundaries, just as independent Federal and State electoral commissions undertake redistributions for State and Federal elections.

“There has been a lot of scaremongering about local government reform and its time Queenslanders were reminded of the bare facts,” he said.

“Most of our local government boundaries are more than 100 years-old making them much older than Phar Lap’s famous Melbourne Cup win in 1930 and Bradman's first ton.

“Many council boundaries are even older than the Wright Brothers historic first aeroplane flight in 1903.

“Queensland councils can no longer operate under century-old boundaries.

“With 40% of councils in financial difficulty it’s time for a modern local government that can move with the times.”

Mr Fraser said a series of reports by PricewaterhouseCoopers, the Queensland Treasury Corporation and the Auditor General, have confirmed the dire financial situation of Queensland’s local government sector.

“This reform is not about the number of councils or the population of those councils; it is about providing Queenslanders with a stronger local government system across the State,” he said.

Mr Fraser said the sole aim of local government reform was to deliver a better and fairer local government system for residents and ratepayers.

“Every Queenslander deserves a strong performing local government. At the moment that is certainly not the case and many ratepayers across the State are facing the prospect of critical failures in the future,” he said.

“Councils won’t like to hear this, but the truth is ratepayers will be much better off with fewer politicians, less red tape and less bureaucracy.

“This will free up new councils to have more council employees delivering better services to ratepayers, not on administering 157 separate bureaucracies,” Mr Fraser said.

“Queensland needs local government reform to protect council jobs and to deliver financially stronger councils, and councils that suit the different needs of different parts of our growing State.”

Mr Fraser said the public awareness campaign would run for three weeks leading up to the announcement of the Local Government Reform Commission’s recommendations, due on 1 August 2007.

“It is easy for the National Party to whip up hysteria when change is involved, but the Government is committed to delivering a better local government system for all Queenslanders.”

More information on the campaign can be found at www.strongercouncils.qld.gov.au

Media Contact: Chris Ward 0418 424 654