Steven Miles to make decision on Rockhampton and Livingstone council boundary
The Change Commission has handed its recommendation on the proposed Rockhampton and Livingstone council boundary change. The future of the boundary is now in the hands of the Deputy Premier.
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Months after the people of Rockhampton and Livingstone had their say on a potential change to the council area boundary, the change commission has delivered its recommendation.
Rockhampton Regional Council launched its campaign to have northern suburbs Rockyview, Glenlee and Glendale moved within the RRC boundary in May.
But the proposed change was fiercely fought by Livingstone Shire Council which called for its council area to be left alone.
Residents in both RRC and LSC council areas were able to have their say in a voluntary survey in June, with the change commission compiling a report after considering extensive material which included submissions from the community and financial reports.
The results of the community survey were released in August.
The Change Commission’s report, which was released on Monday, recommended the boundary stay where it was.
The report is now in the hands of Local Government Minister Steven Miles, who will decide whether the boundary moves or not.
Local Government Change commissioner Pat Vidgen said the assessment was a “complex exercise”.
“Given the number and diversity of submissions for and against, and coupled with the results of the voluntary survey, our assessment was a complex exercise,” he said.
“The Change Commission weighed up arguments around communities of interest, financial impacts, growth projections and planning implications. On balance, it was recommended that there be no change to the boundary, but future growth be managed cooperatively by both councils through established planning mechanisms.
“We know there are strongly held views in the community on this issue and didn’t make this recommendation lightly.”
Livingstone Shire Council Mayor Andy Ireland said LSC was pleased with the recommendation.
“If the minister agrees with the Change Commission’s recommendation that would mean that the suburbs of Glenlee, Rockyview and Glendale will remain part of Livingstone Shire,” he said.
“I’ve always maintained that this process was an unnecessary distraction from the real work of local government.
“Livingstone and Rockhampton are interdependent communities and we commit to working collaboratively for the benefit of residents of both shires now and into the future.”
Rockhampton Regional Council Deputy Mayor Neil Fisher said while the commission’s recommendation was “disappointing”, the ultimate decision was in the hands of Deputy Premier Steven Miles.
“Council maintains the position that the Northern Suburbs being part of the Rockhampton Region would allow for the well planned growth that will ultimately benefit both local government areas,” he said.
“I know it was also disappointing for residents in Glenlee, Glendale and Rockyview who have now voted four times to join the Rockhampton region, including in the most recent poll undertaken by the Electoral Commission Queensland as part of the review process.
“That said, ultimately the decision sits with the Minister for Local Government Steven Miles.”
Mr Miles said his decision on the boundary would be based on advice from the Local Government department.
However, he did not indicate when his decision would be made.
“The independent Local Government Change Commission has provided their report regarding the boundary between Rockhampton Regional Council and the Livingstone Shire Council,” he said.
“I want to thank the Change Commission for their work.
“I will consider the Change Commission’s recommendations and make a decision based on advice from the Local Government department.”
To read the Change Commission’s full report, visit the ECQ website.
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