Queensland Amalgamation Experiences

QUEENSLAND AMALGAMATIONEXPERIENCES

The Good and the Not So Good

The Good - 1995 166 Councils reduced to 157 All ‘donut’ situations

Gold Coast Warwick Bundaberg Gympie Ipswich Cairns Mackay

Others were also considered (ie Maryborough)

Extensive consultation was involved

The Good – 1995 Aftermath Of those surveyed community members who

expressed an opinion, 75% believed service delivery had improved

Only 7% indicated a desire to revert back to the original boundaries

The Not So Good – 2008

157 Councils reduced to 73

Main apparent basis for action was lack of financial sustainability

Lack of detailed consultation

The Not So Good – 2008 Aftermath

Overt public opposition

Formation of groups such as the QLGRA

De-amalgamation and continuing unrest

Qld Local Government Reform Alliance

“Return to community acceptable natural local government boundaries that reflect locally held beliefs about community and identity and provide local amenity and service”

Taroom Shire Council 1879 - 2008

18,644.5 square kilometres Taroom township (680 people) Council employed approx 75 people The Leichardt Tree

1910

2013

2008 - The Decision Made

Division 1 of Taroom Shire (including the township of Taroom) to be merged with Banana Shire Council

The remainder of Taroom Shire to be amalgamated with Western Downs Regional Council

57 Council staff to Banana, 15 to Western Downs

Banana Shire (centred 198 klms away) didn’t want Taroom

No significant natural barriers between the communities …Local Government Reform Commission

No significant natural barriers between the communities….. Local Government Reform Commission

Banana Shire Council 1879 - 2008

Banana Shire Council Est. 1879

Taroom 2009 - present