Council closes door on move to split region into two

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council has closed the door on de-amalgamation, voting to advise the State Government it does not support any split.

TOOWOOMBA Regional Council has closed the door on de-amalgamation, voting to advise the State Government it does not support any split.

A heated debate took place in council chambers today after Cr Joe Ramia moved a motion against de-amalgamation.

A packed gallery watched eagerly, made up mostly of the Darling Downs Shire Steering Committee, which has long advocated that areas including Clifton and Pittsworth leave the regional council.

Afterwards the group's president Ian Jones said the fight wasn't over.

He said councillors had backtracked on election commitments that they would refer the issue to the government, but declined to "name names".

Council will now advise the Director General of the Local Government Department Frankie Carroll that council does not support the split.

All 11 councillors spoke on the matter, with Cr Ramia saying it was time to "put the issue to bed".

Cr Chris Tait tabled statistics which he said showed the council was subsidising the areas wishing to break away.

Cr Mike Williams said a breakaway would have dire financial implications for the proposed new council's ratepayers.

Originally published as Council closes door on move to split region into two