Councillors divided over council divisions

At Wednesday's council meeting three councillors spoke in favour of a return to the old division system, including SDRC mayor Tracy Dobie.

Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie has spoken in favour of council divisions. Picture: Michael Nolan

A DEBATE over local government area divisions has split councillors.

At Wednesday's council meeting three councillors spoke in favour of a return to the old division system, including SDRC mayor Tracy Dobie.

In preparation for the 2020 Quadrennial Local Government Election, councils have been asked by the Department of Local Government to consider any changes that it may propose.

One of those up for discussion is whether local governments wish to move forward with divided or undivided councils.

Cr Tracy Dobie, Cr Vic Pennisi and Cr Rod Kelly all backed a divided proposal.

"I don't think I've ever spoken against a recommendation put forward by the (council) officers but I am going to speak against this recommendation,” Cr Dobie said.

"My reasons are, during the election in 2016 I was asked about why we didn't have divisions in our region because the electors and voters in our region want to have one councillor to whom they could go to with all of their issues.

"While I appreciate we have had a fantastic council and the councillors around the table have done a phenomenal job in covering the 7500 square kilometres of this region... that won't always be the case.

"When the Local Government Minister (Stirling Hinchliffe) was here I spoke to him at length about the opportunities and options available to us with divisions and the fact we could have multiple councillors in divisions.

"What I would like us to consider is say having three divisions in the region,” the mayor said. "It'd be, if you like, a southern division with two councillors, central division with four and a northern division with two.”

Cr Pennisi supported the mayor's position.

"I support and have supported undivided but I've had a change of mind and think divisions would be beneficial, especially during the election process where you have a Melbourne Cup sweep of candidates.

"I understand the reasons for undivided but I think it's time that we consider it,” Cr Pennisi said.

Without seeing what the divisions would entail, councillors were apprehensive to back the proposal.

They instead voted six to three on maintaining the 'status quo'.

"We are tasked to look after the region, even if you have divisions you are tasked to look after the region,” deputy mayor Jo McNally said.

"From what I've seen from councils that do have divisions, is people get very focused on their own division and don't think about the bigger picture.”

Councillors spoke in favour of re-evaluating the situation at a later date, potentially after a decision on de-amalgamation had passed.