Queensland communities have been invited to give their views to the independent Local Government Change Commission about changes to their councils' electoral arrangements for the 2012 local government elections.

Deputy Premier and Local Government Minister Paul Lucas said he had directed the Change Commission to conduct public consultation before making any recommendations for changes in the following council areas:

DIVIDED TO UNDIVIDED
Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
Cassowary Coast Regional Council
Longreach Regional Council
North Burnett Regional Council

UNDIVIDED TO DIVIDED
Fraser Coast Regional Council
Gympie Regional Council
Townsville City Council

INCREASE REPRESENTATION
Balonne Shire Council
Blackall Tambo Regional Council
Carpentaria Shire Council
Flinders Shire Council
Richmond Shire Council
Winton Shire Council

DECREASE REPRESENTATION
Townsville City Council

“The independent Change Commission is responsible for recommending whether to change local government electoral arrangements and I expect them to talk to the local community before making any decisions,” Mr Lucas said

“We already know that there is very strong support from the local community for change in some of these areas.

“The Local Government Act 2009 (Section 19) provides for the Commission to conduct public consultation on this important issue.

“That’s why I’m using my powers under the Act to ensure the Change Commission conducts public consultation and ensures communities are heard.

“While the ultimate report from the Change Commission, after undertaking its enquiries, is a matter entirely for the Commission, it’s my view that conducting public hearings and allowing public submissions will assist the Change Commission in determining whether these proposals are in the public interest,” Mr Lucas said.

The process for changing the electoral arrangements for local governments – from divided to undivided or vice versa, or increasing or decreasing the number of councillors – is undertaken under the Local Government Act 2009.

Section 19(3) (b) specifically provides an example for the way in which the Change Commission may conduct its assessment via holding a public hearing.

 

The Local Government Act 2009 is available here.