Fraser Coast Council divisional boundaries distort representation
8th November, 2011
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Warren Truss, has described the proposed new divisional boundaries for the Fraser Coast Regional Council as “simply ludicrous”.“The boundaries have clearly been drawn by someone who has no understanding of local geography, or who wants to turn local government into a laughing stock,” Mr Truss said.
“I agree with Mayor Mick Kruger that the proposed divisional boundaries could leave Maryborough without influence on the Council and with as little as one resident councillor out of ten members.
“Only Division 3 is entirely in Maryborough, but Divisions 6,8,9 and 10 are exclusively in Hervey Bay, and Division 7 is made up of parts of Hervey Bay and Fraser Island.
“Hervey Bay is virtually assured of five members on the Council and could have seven resident councillors plus the Mayor. The rural parts of the Council including Glenwood, Tiaro, Torbanlea and Howard are not assured any resident councillors,” Mr Truss said.
“In Maryborough city the new boundaries are grotesque. Granville is divided between Divisions 5 and 2 but most of the suburb is in the same Division as Toogoom and Dundowran. Bell Hilltop and north-east Maryborough is in Division 4 with Burrum Heads and Howard. Maryborough City Hall is in Division 2 with Glenwood and Bauple. Tinana is divided but most of the suburb is in Division 1 with Gundiah and Malarga.
“The way the boundaries are drawn, it is almost certain that the new Fraser Coast Regional Council will have a Hervey Bay resident block of councillors able to win every vote in the Council. They would have the numbers to transfer all spending projects to Hervey Bay or raise the rates in Maryborough or the rural parts. I am not saying that they will choose to behave that way but they will have the numbers to do so if they wish.
“This proposal will distort representation across the whole council area. I urge everyone to make their views known about the proposal to the Queensland Electoral Commission by Monday 14 November 2011.”
Mr Truss said it is disgraceful that the State Government has given local people less than a week to object to the new boundaries. The Government should abandon this last minute divisional madness and allow the March election to proceed without divisions.
Feedback can be emailed to reviews@ecq.qld.gov.au with the name of the council in the subject field. Feedback can also be posted to:
Local Government Change Commission, GPO Box 1393 Brisbane 4001
