Kirstie Schumacher rejects claim South Burnett Council spends more on Kingaroy

South Burnett councillor Kirstie Schumacher has hit back at ‘rhetoric’ over the council’s spending.

Councillor Kirstie Schumacher has refuted ‘rhetoric’ of council spending more of its money on Kingaroy.

A South Burnett councillor has refuted what she says are misconceptions about her council favouring Kingaroy when spending ratepayer dollars.

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Councillor Kirstie Schumacher addressed a backlash she said erupted after receipt of the Divisional Spend Report at the council meeting on February 22.

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Facebook told one side of the story whereas the report showed the entire picture, she said.

“This report shows that Kingaroy ratepayers are contributing to a stronger region.

“Rural ratepayers are contributing to a significant spend on rural roads.

“Despite different mayoral leadership over the period of 10 years, spending across the region has been consistent,” she said.

The report revealed that $51,427,498 has been invested in Nanango and Blackbutt, the southern part of the region, $40,108,111 has been invested in the central Kingaroy part of the region and $72,156,594 in the northern Kumbia, Murgon, Wondai to Boondooma areas.

Mrs Schumacher was praised online for her transparency.

South Burnett community training centre president Nina Temperton thanked her.

“Congratulations on the way you conduct yourself as a councillor,” she said.

Kingaroy resident Rob Fitz-Herbert said it was great to see the information shared.

“Put this question to rest,” he said.

Kingaroy Joinery owner Darrin Kefford said the South Burnett was not one community; Mrs Schumacher maintained that funding had been spent on projects across the region.

“They have been invested in roads and infrastructure that support your quality of life regardless of your geography or what your town or village contributes to the bottom line,” she said.

“We are stronger together.

“Ratepayers of Kingaroy are contributing to projects spread across the region and this report shows the rhetoric of Kingaroy gets everything at the cost of other towns and villages is not true.

“I stand by my belief there is no space for politics in local government.

“Our ratepayers are our shareholders, and they deserve to know the facts,” Mrs Schumacher said.