Published Sunday, 20 January, 2008 at 07:00 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Transition Action Plans to ensure smooth local government transition
The Queensland Government has congratulated Local Transition Committees (LTCs) for their outstanding work in the lead-up to the local government elections on 15 March.
Thirty-four LTCs, established last August, have now finalised the first draft of their Transition Action Plans, which will ensure the newly formed councils have a smooth transition to new arrangements.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt praised the committees for submitting their progress reports and draft plans to meet the 21 December deadline.
“I commend each of these committees for helping to keep the reform process on track and their efforts in developing their Transition Action Plans, which are a crucial tool to ensure a smooth transition,” Mr Pitt said.
“These plans lay the foundation for the integration of budgets, the merging of financial systems and staff structures, and other operations imperative to the smooth running of the new councils.
“As well as providing blueprints to allow each council to operate effectively from day one, they will also capture any unique service delivery arrangements, priorities and local issues.
“This information will be invaluable source material for the new council and the quality of work provided has been outstanding.
“For example, the Gladstone Regional Council LTC has developed a comprehensive ‘Interim ratepayer and customer service charter’, which will commence on 17 March and remain in place until it is reviewed by the newly elected council.
“This charter provides ratepayers in the region with a clear understanding of how the council will manage local services in the transition period.
“In Toowoomba, where eight councils will be amalgamated to form the new Toowoomba Regional Council, the LTC has developed a risk management plan and mapped out strategies to ensure all major tasks were completed.
“It also has developed a range of innovative ways of informing and educating the community about the change process.
“Each plan has now been reviewed by my department, and we have provided feedback to the LTCs so that they can complete their plans by 7 March, prior to this year’s historic local government elections.
“The State Government’s focus is to now work with councils to implement the new boundaries, which will create stronger, more sustainable local governments that will benefit all Queenslanders,” Mr Pitt said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819 or 0417 789 208
Thirty-four LTCs, established last August, have now finalised the first draft of their Transition Action Plans, which will ensure the newly formed councils have a smooth transition to new arrangements.
Local Government Minister Warren Pitt praised the committees for submitting their progress reports and draft plans to meet the 21 December deadline.
“I commend each of these committees for helping to keep the reform process on track and their efforts in developing their Transition Action Plans, which are a crucial tool to ensure a smooth transition,” Mr Pitt said.
“These plans lay the foundation for the integration of budgets, the merging of financial systems and staff structures, and other operations imperative to the smooth running of the new councils.
“As well as providing blueprints to allow each council to operate effectively from day one, they will also capture any unique service delivery arrangements, priorities and local issues.
“This information will be invaluable source material for the new council and the quality of work provided has been outstanding.
“For example, the Gladstone Regional Council LTC has developed a comprehensive ‘Interim ratepayer and customer service charter’, which will commence on 17 March and remain in place until it is reviewed by the newly elected council.
“This charter provides ratepayers in the region with a clear understanding of how the council will manage local services in the transition period.
“In Toowoomba, where eight councils will be amalgamated to form the new Toowoomba Regional Council, the LTC has developed a risk management plan and mapped out strategies to ensure all major tasks were completed.
“It also has developed a range of innovative ways of informing and educating the community about the change process.
“Each plan has now been reviewed by my department, and we have provided feedback to the LTCs so that they can complete their plans by 7 March, prior to this year’s historic local government elections.
“The State Government’s focus is to now work with councils to implement the new boundaries, which will create stronger, more sustainable local governments that will benefit all Queenslanders,” Mr Pitt said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819 or 0417 789 208