Toowoomba region local government reform well on track

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

Mr Pitt said the visit to Toowoomba also provided the opportunity to present the Toowoomba Local Transition Committee with the official handover of $440,000 in transition funding.

“This funding will assist the Toowoomba Regional Council LTC to establish its operations and tackle the task of transition planning.

“The Government understands the complexities involved for Toowoomba Regional Council in the transition phase.

“I am really pleased with the progress made so far and the commitment of the LTC members to date, which 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 arrangements,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said planning over the next several months would be critical to ensure the new Toowoomba 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 has been allocated to help Local Transition Committees across the State, as part of an overall funding package of $27.1 million to assists the transition process.

Mr Pitt said the Toowoomba Regional Council would receive another $675,000 to use at their discretion once the new council was formed after the local government elections in March next year.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819