Yarraman residents want new border

AMALGAMATION in Yarraman – were you for or against it?

IT'S ABOUT TIME: Bernie Rushbywants Yarraman to join the South Burnett regional Council Photo: Contributed. Picture: Contributed

AMALGAMATION in Yarraman - were you for or against it? Residents of the town say the merger left them without a voice and promises of funding have not eventuated.

And recent news of towns demanding to be de-amalgamated across Queensland stirred the pot for Yarraman locals who wish to do the same.

In the 2007 amalgamation, Yarraman was placed within the borders of Toowoomba Regional Council.

Yarraman resident Bernie Rushby said the Yarraman area would benefit from being absorbed into the South Burnett Regional Council.

"In Yarraman's case our closest representative is in Highfields which is over 100km away," he said.

"Geographically it makes much more sense for us to be part of the South Burnett.

"I would rather Yarraman be a part of a growing South Burnett in a localised community rather than a Toowoomba region where we have no voice."

Mr Rushby, who unsuccessfully ran for council earlier this year, said Yarraman lacked representation.

"There is such a huge area without a voice in what goes on," he said.

"I've had the new councillors promise me that they would direct funding into Yarraman and be seen here. So far I haven't seen much of them."

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli said he was working towards communities having a better representation in their councils.

"I'll be visiting regional parts of the Darling Downs in the next couple of weeks to get better representation for those communities that feel left out of the loop," he said.

"I'll look forward to meeting with Yarraman residents if they think I can help."

Mr Rushby said if the situation did not improve for Yarraman, he would pursue de-amalgamation for the town.

"I think there is a vast silent majority who are for the de-amalgamation from Toowoomba and to become a part of the South Burnett," he said.

Mr Crisafulli said while further de-amalgamation applications would not be accepted, smaller communities would be heard.

"While the issue of de-amalgamation applications has been put to bed, what hasn't is the case for small communities to rediscover their voice," he said.

Should Yarraman become part of the South Burnett Regional Council? Let us know at [e-mail]

Originally published as Yarraman residents want new border