The petition of citizens of Queensland draws to the attention of the House the grave inequities which currently exist for Local Governments to deliver services, and in particular the capacity of the North Burnett Regional Council (NBRC) to deliver, what would be considered by a Queenslander, an adequate level of services.

It is the petitioners’ concern in the pursuit of financial sustainability, NBRC will leave an unsustainable community in its wake.

The current financial system which expects councils to balance their costs with revenue earnt from rates, fees, charges, and levies is unfair, unequal, and socially unjust.

The North Burnett community deserves to know within the next 12 months where the future of its region is headed. Residents deserve answers which may define if they choose to continue to live in the area and tolerate inadequate service delivery standards which have resulted in job losses, impacted liveability, and increased levels of risk to the community.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to define and cost an acceptable Queensland standard of service delivery with regards to water, wastewater, roads, and waste and make the financial sustainability of Queensland Local Government a priority. We also alert the State to one in three Queensland Local Government areas who may share our concerns.