New councils to officially come into existence on 15 March 2008

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt today confirmed the official close of business for councils impacted by amalgamation would be midnight on 14 March 2008.

Mr Pitt said new local governments would officially commence in their own right at the same time, making 15 March – election day – the first day of the newly-merged councils.

“At that time the existing councils will cease to exist, and the new councils will come into being.

“Also at that time, the 31 interim Chief Executive Officers officially become the acting CEOs of the new councils.

“This means that until the election polls are declared and the new councillors are sworn in, the acting CEOs are responsible for council business.

“It is important we nominated an official time and date to allow existing councils to start preparing to close off their books.

“The preparations for business closures will be an important element of the merging councils’ Transition Action Plans.

“When the new councils commence it is important they have a thorough understanding of the financial positions of the old councils, so there is a benchmark to start from.”

Mr Pitt said while the changeover day marked the end of those councils being merged, it did not signal any reduction or loss of services to ratepayers.

“The new councils will take over the service delivery role and it will be business as usual. Every effort is being made to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible.

“Local government reform is not only about new boundaries. This reform agenda is also about giving Queensland’s ratepayers a more open and transparent local government system.

“Enhanced reporting and transparent performance monitoring arrangements will be implemented following the 2008 elections, to ensure ratepayers have a good understanding of how their rates are being spent.”

Mr Pitt said the setting of the changeover day would add clarity and certainty to the transition process.

“Everyone concerned now knows precisely when they need to have the business arrangements of terminating councils completely wrapped up, and when the new councils will take their first breath.

“I’m aware there are still some isolated pockets of wishful thinking that the amalgamations will not proceed, either as a result of the government changing its mind or through some other means. This is not going to happen.

“The government remains totally committed to the reform process and to the new arrangements that will see stronger, more influential and more sustainable councils – with ratepayers the direct beneficiaries of the changes,” Mr Pitt said.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819