Published Wednesday, 03 September, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
De-amalgamation of merged local councils a ‘non-issue’
The Liberal National Party Opposition is trying to breathe life into a non-issue with its policy to de-amalgamate merged local councils, Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said today.
Mr Pitt said the Opposition’s policy had received a clear “thumbs down” from the local government sector.
“I challenge the Liberal National Party to name which of Queensland’s 32 newly merged councils – which replaced 116 former councils – are interested in turning back the clock and de-amalgamating.
“The Local Government Association of Queensland doesn’t have de-amalgamation on its agenda, and nor do individual councils.
“I don’t know of any amalgamated councils that would be interested in taking the Liberal National Party up on this offer – not even the new Sunshine Coast Regional Council, for example, of which the former Noosa Shire Council is now part.
“These councils are more interested in looking to the future and getting on with the job of consolidating their new, stronger roles than in putting their efforts into a de-amalgamation campaign.
“De-amalgamation is a non issue with the councils concerned. The Liberal National Party knows it is flogging a dead horse, but cynically hopes it can milk a few votes in the process.
“It is trying to capitalise on some past adverse feeling towards council amalgamations, most of which is now consigned to the past.
“I believe the chances of de-amalgamations occurring are zero. The Opposition are leading people up a dry gully by raising their hopes that this may ever happen.
“I will be spelling out to councils and their ratepayers that there is a major difference between the Bligh Government and the Opposition on this issue of de-amalgamating our local councils.
“The government believes this would be a most retrograde step and does not support it at all.
“The Liberal National Party Opposition, on the other hand, is prepared to promote instability and uncertainty in our local government sector by pandering to the wishes of a very small disaffected minority who cling to the past and favour a return to previous council arrangements.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Mr Pitt said the Opposition’s policy had received a clear “thumbs down” from the local government sector.
“I challenge the Liberal National Party to name which of Queensland’s 32 newly merged councils – which replaced 116 former councils – are interested in turning back the clock and de-amalgamating.
“The Local Government Association of Queensland doesn’t have de-amalgamation on its agenda, and nor do individual councils.
“I don’t know of any amalgamated councils that would be interested in taking the Liberal National Party up on this offer – not even the new Sunshine Coast Regional Council, for example, of which the former Noosa Shire Council is now part.
“These councils are more interested in looking to the future and getting on with the job of consolidating their new, stronger roles than in putting their efforts into a de-amalgamation campaign.
“De-amalgamation is a non issue with the councils concerned. The Liberal National Party knows it is flogging a dead horse, but cynically hopes it can milk a few votes in the process.
“It is trying to capitalise on some past adverse feeling towards council amalgamations, most of which is now consigned to the past.
“I believe the chances of de-amalgamations occurring are zero. The Opposition are leading people up a dry gully by raising their hopes that this may ever happen.
“I will be spelling out to councils and their ratepayers that there is a major difference between the Bligh Government and the Opposition on this issue of de-amalgamating our local councils.
“The government believes this would be a most retrograde step and does not support it at all.
“The Liberal National Party Opposition, on the other hand, is prepared to promote instability and uncertainty in our local government sector by pandering to the wishes of a very small disaffected minority who cling to the past and favour a return to previous council arrangements.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819