Big is NOT always Better
Following successful meetings with the Shadow Minister for Local Government and Local Government department heads to discuss the ongoing failings of Queensland’s amalgamated Councils, Queensland Local Government Reform Alliance (QLGRA) held their Annual General Meeting in Maryborough over the weekend of 29th, 30th August with the enthusiastic participation of their state wide member groups.
The difficulties caused by the forced council amalgamations of 2008 appear to be universal across all areas of Queensland. The LGAQ, the Local Government Department and the Shadow Minister, Ms. Fiona Simpson, are all aware of the difficulties now being experienced by local communities. Further meetings are planned with the view of rectifying the failures of the large regional councils including delivery of services and infrastructure to those now forgotten local community areas.
The Minister for Local Government Ms Jackie Trad MP is yet to meet with representatives from QLGRA but the executive are hopeful to engage in constructive discussion in the near future.
Re-elected QLGRA chairman Bob Johnson said “it is encouraging to our state wide member groups to finally be in a position to see the beginnings of pro-active discussions to address the failings of large Councils in the local communities”. Mr Johnson went on to say “with the upcoming Council elections in March 2016 QLGRA, supported by its member groups, will be at the forefront of the push to rectify the disastrous impacts suffered by local communities since the now failing amalgamated councils were forced on to the people of Queensland”.
Bob Johnson,
President QLGRA.
