Minister welcomes new appointees to Grants Commission

Local Government Minister Warren Pitt has announced four new appointees to Queensland’s Local Government Grants Commission.

Speaking in State Parliament today, Mr Pitt said the new appointees to the six-member Commission would play a key role in the annual allocation of Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants to local councils across Queensland.

“This financial year, the commission has made recommendations to the government on the distribution of grants to Queensland councils totalling $345 million,” Mr Pitt said.

“With the expiry last month of the previous commission’s appointment, I have appointed new members who will oversee the commission during an important stage during the local government reform process.

“The commission’s new chairperson is Kelvin Spiller, a former chief executive officer of Maroochy Shire Council who has more than 30 years of local government experience.

“The new deputy chairperson is the Gabrielle Sinclair, the Assistant Director-General from the Department of Local Government, Sport and Recreation who boasts 30 years of experience across the Queensland public sector.

“Also joining the commission are Cr Mark O’Brien, the Mayor of Murweh Shire, and Carl Wulff, the CEO of Ipswich City Council.”

Mr Pitt said Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire chief executive officer Warren Collins and Herberton Shire Council Mayor Cr Anne Portess had been re-appointed to the commission.

“I would like to congratulate all members of the Grants Commission and look forward to working with them to help build stronger councils and communities throughout our great state,” he said.

Mr Pitt said one of the commission’s next major tasks would be to review the methodology it applied to the distribution of funding to local councils.

“The Local Government Reform Commission recommended a review to examine the long-term impact of the new local government structure,” he said.

“It is recommended that the review be completed within four years.

“To ensure continuity and stability over the life of this review, the commission members have been appointed until 31 October 2010, with the intention that the review be completed before this time.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819