The petition of citizens of Queensland draws to the attention of the House Section 36(1) of the Local Government Act which states “A local government has, in the exercise of its jurisdiction, all the powers of an individual“. The original functions, and those which ratepayers expect of this level of government, are the provision and maintenance of local infrastructure like roads, parks, water supply, and services such as rubbish management. Some Councils are engaging in activities which fall far outside of the functions which were the original scope of this level of government and which ratepayers expect of them and can reasonably afford. Individual ratepayers have no ongoing control over councils which are reckless and wasteful. Council's are indebting ratepayers by creating liabilities which must be met by ratepayers. If individuals cannot create debt for a second party, then similarly Councils cannot create debt which must be honoured collectively by individual ratepayers.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to restrict the powers of local government in the section to more narrowly defined functions more commonly associated with the micro-management of their local community and the every-day living standards of its residents. They should not be permitted to engage in business nor assume responsibility for any liabilities and activities of other levels of government, and we hereby petition the House to change the Local Government Act to recognise the limited functions for which Local governments should assume responsibility.