Sunshine Coast local government reform progressing well

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt today met the Sunshine Coast Regional Council Local Transition Committee to get a first hand picture of how the transition planning is progressing.

Mr Pitt said the visit to the Sunshine Coast had involved a series of meetings at Caloundra, Nambour and Noosaville.

“I was pleased to have this opportunity to meet with the Local Transition Committee as well as staff and staff representatives from each of the councils involved, and discuss issues associated with the transition process,” he said.

Mr Pitt said this week marked the payment of transition funding by the State Government, with the Local Transition Committee receiving $240,000.

“This funding will assist the Sunshine Coast Regional Council LTC to establish its operations and commence the transition planning,” Mr Pitt said.

“I am really pleased with the progress made so far by the LTC and the commitment of the LTC members to date.

“It is testimony to the level of professionalism of everyone involved.

“The Government remains committed to reform and as such our focus is now well and truly on working with councils to implement the new boundaries,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said planning over the next five months would be critical to ensure the new Sunshine Coast Regional Council was ready for changeover.

“There is a lot of hard work ahead, particularly with the development of the Transition Action Plan.

“This work will lay the foundation for the integration of budgets, planning schemes, merging of financial systems and staff structures, and other operations imperative to the smooth running of the new council,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said funding of $8.75 million had been allocated to help Local Transition Committees across the State as part of an overall funding package of $27.1 million to assist the transition process.

Mr Pitt said the Sunshine Coast Regional Council would receive another $500,000 to use at their discretion once the new council is formed after the local government elections in March next year.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819