Forced Council Amalgamations

Eligibility - Queensland residents
Principal Petitioner:
Vivienne Rosemary Champion
Longway Station
Longreach Qld 4730
Total Signatures - 10,311
Sponsoring Member: Howard Hobbs MP
Posting Date: 4/5/2007
Closing Date: 4/11/2007
Tabled Date: 14/11/2007
Responded By: Hon Warren Pitt MP on 12/12/2007
TO: The Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of Queensland
The petition of the residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House • To our condemnation of the statement by the Premier of Queensland that 43% of Queensland Councils are financially unviable, • The myth that forced amalgamation of councils will fix the financial woes of Councils, • The complete lack of consultation and breach of protocol by the State Government with formation of the Local Government Reform Commission, • The removal of any appeal rights against the Local Government Reform Commission decisions. Your petitioners therefore request the House to • Recognise that Queensland Treasury Corporation’s assessments which indicate only 13% of Queensland Councils are financially unviable, • Recognise that the Queensland Auditor General’s Report which states that Council balance sheets show $51.6 billon net assets, sufficient equity to cover deficits, • Recognise that forced amalgamations in other States has made those councils more financially stretched than their Queensland counterparts, • Strongly oppose the forced amalgamation of Queensland Councils and the effects this will have on businesses, families, jobs and the economic sustainability of many communities.