Rate rises not due to amalgamation - benefits are starting to flow

Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships
The Honourable Desley Boyle
11/03/2010
Rate rises not due to amalgamation - benefits are starting to flow

Local Government Minister Desley Boyle spoke highly of amalgamated councils in State Parliament today and urged them to keep focused on the job at hand of bringing more benefits online.

Meanwhile Minister Boyle warned that the LNP's policy to de-amalgamate Queensland councils was not only costly, but it was making councils nervous at a time when they were starting to see the very real benefits of amalgamation only two years down the track.

"'Wind back amalgamation', those opposite are saying. De-amalgamation is their policy and it's back-to-the future indeed. It is most unsettling when councils have led the way in difficult times and are reporting the benefits for all of us in Queensland to see."

Ms Boyle has commended amalgamated councils for the many benefits they are delivering despite the global economic crisis.

"All levels of government have felt the impact of the global financial crisis including councils, big and small. Their revenue is down, and yet there is, no less, an imperative for councils to keep their capital works program running and jobs flowing," Ms Boyle said in Parliament.

"In 2009 amalgamated and non-amalgamated councils had no choice but to raise rates.

Rate rises across Queensland's councils were commonly between 5 and 8 per cent.

"Some examples:
* Balonne Shire Council - non-amalgamated - up 5%
* Tablelands Regional Council - amalgamated - up 6%
* Ipswich City Council - non-amalgamated - 5.7%
* Gladstone Regional Council - amalgamated - 5.3%
* Brisbane City Council - non-amalgamated - 6.4%
* Townsville City Council - amalgamated - 8%
* Burdekin Shire Council - non-amalgamated - 7.5%
* Cairns Regional Council - amalgamated - 8%
* Redland City Council - non-amalgamated - 7.92%
* Isaac Regional Council - amalgamated - 8%

"Rate rises did not correlate with amalgamation. Councils increased their rates to keep pace with costs and to continue delivering infrastructure and capital works programs such as libraries, roads and bridges and generate much needed jobs.

"I have to compliment the amalgamated councils on their tremendous work and the more especially for the impacts of the global financial crisis.

"There were some of Queensland Mayors and Councillors who were not in favour of the amalgamations but none the less have accepted the task of building a stronger regional council and firmly fixed their sights on the future, not the past.

"Many amalgamated councils such as Moreton Bay, Cairns, Bundaberg, Somerset, Townsville, Central Highlands and Fraser Coast have spoken about the financial and other benefits that they are already seeing, consequent on amalgamation.

"As well as reform, the global financial crisis has put pressure on council bottom lines everywhere and I commend them for their determination to keep rolling out infrastructure and jobs in their local communities."

Permanent Link: Rate rises not due to amalgamation - benefits are starting to flow
Publish Date: 11 Mar 10