Logan Ratepayers’ Association asks minister to call election

A GROUP of disgruntled ratepayers say they are not getting value for money and are tired of footing the bill for a suspended mayor and councillor.

A Logan Ratepayers’ Association meeting in August.

THE Logan Ratepayers’ Association has called on the Minister for Local Government to dissolve Logan City Council and call an immediate election for all positions, including that of mayor.

Association president Rod Shaw wrote to Minister Stirling Hinchliffe on October 10 claiming ratepayers were tired of footing the bill for “salary maintenance” of suspended mayor Luke Smith.

Graphic: Logan Ratepayers’ Association

Cr Smith was suspended in May after the state government passed sweeping reforms, which included automatic suspension on full pay of councillors charged with serious integrity offences, such as bribery, corruption and fraud.

Division 6 councillor Stacey McIntosh was also suspended pending charges to do with stealing $180,000 from a Coopers Plains business.

Both have vowed to fight the claims and deny any wrongdoing.

Mr Shaw said the council was divided and “waging internal civil war” with little beneficial outcomes for ratepayers.

“Combine this with the salary maintenance of the suspended mayor and the domino effect of higher duty allowances for the upgrades of staff, all the way down the line from the position of mayor, and we have an unpalatable situation for the ratepayers,” the letter said.

“The rates in Logan are amongst the highest in the country and now we are saddled with this financial encumbrance because of the dubious actions of some councillors.

“As with all levels of government, there is a lack of concern when taxpayers’ money is being wantonly wasted and this council is no different.

“The toxic situation should not be allowed to continue. We need a legitimate and properly elected mayor and we need to review the composition of councillors across the 12 divisions.”

The letter also said the suspended mayor Cr Smith should be allowed to “throw his hat into the ring as well to test how much popular support he enjoys”.