Caloundra says yes to poll

Caloundra City Council will give its residents a say on whether the merger of Sunshine Coast councils will go ahead - while Maroochy won't.

Caloundra council will give its residents a say on whether the merger of Sunshine Coast councils will go ahead - while Maroochy won't.

Caloundra today endorsed a resolution to have the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) conduct a plebiscite on Local Government Reform.

Mayor Don Aldous said it was decided at today’s general meeting that council would take up the Federal Government’s offer.

“Council will appoint the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) as our agent for all aspects of the plebiscite to be conducted by the AEC,’’ Cr Aldous said.

He said the question to be put to the electors of Caloundra City Council would be: Do you support the Queensland Government’s decision to amalgamate your council with other council areas?

The plebiscite will be conducted by full postal ballot. The final details and the timing of the plebiscite are to be determined by the AEC and the LGAQ.

The offer of a commonwealth funded referendum was rejected yesterday in Maroochy Council, causing some to lament the “death of democracy”.

Council voted against the recommendation with a narrow tally of seven against and six for.

Some argued the $20,000 referendum would make no difference to the outcome and would be a waste of money, whereas others argued it would be undemocratic not to hold one.

Councillor Tom Hullet said out of the 12,000 people in his division, he had only received three requests for a referendum.

“I would have been impressed with even 120 – but it was only three. The result will go nowhere, will achieve nothing, and is a waste of tax payers’ money,” he said.

Ex-Maroochy councillor Steve Dickson left the council chambers fuming.

“Mate, I saw it as the death of democracy,” he said.

“The logic behind that statement is that we live in a democratic country what’s been taken away is the right for people of Maroochy Shire to have a say on something that will affect their future.

“Anna Bligh may end up looking at the numbers, she may look at overturning it.

Mr Dickson said he found it difficult to believe there was a lack of public interest in the referendum.

“Andrew Champion went on fact finding mission and sent out 10,000 letters and got about 1000 back.

“He found that 65% in Minyama and Kawana are opposed to amalgamation. How many do you think are opposed in Noosa? Then statistically, Maroochydore has to be the middle ground.

“I know how people think the problem we face is apathy a lot of people don’t say too much until the weight is on then, when they realise rates will go through the roof, water will double in price or even triple.”

Councillor Ted Hungerford, who moved the motion, said he was very disappointed in the council’s vote.

“Of course I’m disappointed,” he said.

“I put things up for my community and council has denied them. They made a call here and I have to respect that and move on to the next level.”

Mr Dickson said he applauded Mr Hungerford’s passion.

“I’ve got to give councillor Hungerford an accolade, he was very passionate and upright,” he said.

Originally published as Caloundra says yes to poll