Councils urged to scale back farewell events if sponsors cannot be found

Local Government minister Warren Pitt says he will watch with interest to see if Townsville and Thuringowa councils obtain sponsorship funding to cover the costs of their planned farewell functions.

The two councils, which are merging to form the Townsville City Council, are planning functions that involve a combined estimated cost of $230,000.

Both councils have reportedly said they plan to raise corporate sponsorship to cover most of the cost of the events.

Mr Pitt said if the councils were unable to raise the necessary sponsorships funds, they should reorganise the planned events accordingly.

“I am not against local councils holding functions to mark the significant changes that are happening in local government – the end of one era and the start of a new one. It is entirely appropriate they do this.

“What I am strongly against is excessive spending of ratepayers’ money on these functions, or excluding the community from them.

“In the case of Townsville and Thuringowa, the functions are planned as community events which is good to see. However, I don’t believe ratepayers should have to foot the bill to stage functions costing as much as is planned.

“That’s why it is important that the councils do manage to get the sponsorship funds they say will cover most of the costs.

“If they don’t, they need to go back to the drawing board, and plan something on a much more modest scale and costing ratepayers a whole lot less.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819