Council submissions on amalgamation under consideration: Minister

Local Government Minister Desley Boyle said the Queensland Treasury Corporation was assessing 22 submissions made by Queensland councils on the cost of their amalgamations.

Submissions closed March 31.

“A total of 22 submissions have been forwarded to the Queensland Treasury Corporation for independent review before a final decision on reimbursement is made,” Ms Boyle said.

“At last year’s Summit of Mayors in March, a commitment was made to give councils an opportunity to put forward their case if they believed they were disadvantaged by the costs of amalgamation and this is the process which is underway.

“Council amalgamations around the country have historically delivered a two to five per cent cost efficiency and there is no reason to expect councils in Queensland to be any different.

“Importantly, savings found across the operations of the new councils accrue year after year, whereas the cost of amalgamation was a one off.

“I as Minister am keen to make sure any upfront costs of amalgamation are returned in this term of government, and that the long-term and ongoing savings are realised.”

Submissions have been received from: Townsville City Council; Cairns Regional Council; Whitsunday Regional Council; Logan City Council; Goondiwindi Regional Council; Somerset Regional Council; Tablelands Regional Council; Lockyer Valley Regional Council; Bundaberg Regional Council; Central Highlands Regional Council; Mackay Regional Council; South Burnett Regional Council; Sunshine Coast Regional Council; Rockhampton Regional Council; Dalby Regional Council; Toowoomba Regional Council; Southern Downs Regional Council; Isaac Regional Council; Scenic Rim Regional Council; Gladstone Regional Council; North Burnett Regional Council. Charters Towers Regional Council has also provided a submission.

Media Contact: Minister Boyle’s Office –3227 8819