Councillors have voted to seek community feedback on a reduction in the number of divisions in the Bundaberg Regional Local Government Area from 10 to 8.
At its Ordinary Meeting on 21 February, Council resolved to engage in consultation with the community regarding a proposed change to local government arrangements to reduce the number of Councillors from 10 to 8 divisional Councillors plus the Mayor.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said the decision was part of the Council’s commitment to supporting cost efficiencies within the organisation.
“We’ve spoken a lot about the need for Council to cut costs and this decision is evidence that we will leave no stone unturned to find the savings our community needs,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“This proposal would save Council about $265,000 per year which equates to $1,060,000 per Council term.”
She said it was considered a major change within the Local Government change process and the next step would be to undertake consultation to confirm community sentiment in relation to the proposal.
“Should the community sentiment be favourable, Council would require a further resolution so an approach could be made to the minister.
“At that point the process is handed over to the State Government and Electoral Commission Queensland.
“In terms of a timeline these change processes take about 18 months to finalise which allows us time to implement this change in readiness for the next Local Government election should it receive community support.”
Mayor Blackburn said more information about how and where community members could provide their feedback would be made available on Council’s website soon.
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Great idea
gunna be interesting to see which two will willingly put their head on the chopping block
This is a brilliant idea. Council needs to save money for rate payers!
When will more information be available?
Good morning Susan,
Thank you for reaching out to Bundaberg Now.
More information about how and where community members can provide feedback will be made available on Council’s website soon.
When asking someone to represent us in council or parliament we should also consider what we are loosing from our local community. Info of there previous endeavors can be found here https://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/Council/About-us/Councillors
Of particular value if returned to public or private sectors would be:
Jason Bartels is a trade qualified Plumber, Drainer & Gasfitter this is in high demand.
John Learmonth he could go back into developing Businesses or running a supermarket.
Steve Cooper if we find another spot for his hardware store that is not directly at Kepnock or in it’s old location.
Gary Kirk as a experienced B&B retreat owner he could be someone who operates 1 of the new motels we are after.
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Also why 8? Is this enough to get everything done? If it is should we try for less?
Why not have an OPEN COUNCIL and not a DIVISIONAL COUNCIL ? If the first model is approved as the selection process you and I would vote to select the 8 (or 10 as it is now) coucillors from a field of Region Wide hopefuls of say 20. That way the community selects the “best” counclillors and still acieves the financial savings. I hear you say “this could never be achieved.” But this Best 10 (at the time) OPEN Council Model was proposeded by the then BRC Councillors and approved by the Electoral Commission and the State Local Government a few years ago and passed back to BRC to implement their propsoed new model …. BUT WAIT FOR IT the then 10 Councillors and the then mayor voted it down.