Bad blood continues to boil in the boundary squabble between Rockhampton and Livingstone

Three suburbs, two councils, and one fight that has turned very nasty. As Livingstone and Rockhampton continue to exchange verbal barbs, one councillor has written an “open letter” to the residents of Rockhampton with some explosive claims. Here’s the letter in full and how the Rockhampton mayor responded.

Three suburbs, two councils, and one fight that has turned very nasty.

If the gloves were already off as Livingstone Shire Council fights desperately to stop three of its crucial suburbs from being lost to Rockhampton, then the claws are now out.

Livingstone Shire councillor and Glenlee resident Glenda Mather has written an “open letter” to the residents of Rockhampton which includes some explosive claims as the battle for ownership of Glenlee, Glendale and Rockyview intensifies ahead of an unprecedented community vote on the issue.

Here is Cr Mather’s letter in full and how Rockhampton Regional Council responded to it.

Livingstone Shire councillor Glenda Mather.

CR MATHER’S OPEN LETTER TO ROCKHAMPTON RESIDENTS

Dear Rockhampton residents, your local council representatives are begging you to vote “yes” to a boundary change.

Do you really know what that means? What the implications are?

They are asking you to take land which belongs to another council.

This action is both morally and democratically wrong, but they’re not telling you this.

Your neighbour, the Livingstone Shire, always felt welcome in its dealings with Rocky.

We had a lot in common. We shared facilities, and we both endured the wrath of natural disasters. We were always there for each other.

But that has now all changed, your leaders have seen to that.

The Rockhampton council acquired all the Parkhurst land from Livingstone in 1988.

And now it wants more of Livingstone, and is fiercely lobbying the State Government to make it happen.

It seems to stop at nothing, and should be questioned by you, the ratepayers.

Your council is dividing communities, and dividing families and it needs to be made accountable.

True leaders do not declare war against their neighbour by taking their land.

I am not seeing any evidence of true leadership.

Your councillors use misleading statements like “Bring the suburbs home”.

The three suburbs ARE home, they belong to Livingstone, and always have. You are being used to fulfill what I see is a very separate agenda.

The oath of office flies in the face of this proposed land grab - the new councillors seem to be just following, when they haven’t even warmed their seats yet - let alone gained the necessary experience to understand the consequences of their actions.

One of the Ten Commandments states: “They shall not covet thy neighbour’s goods.”

Do your Christian councillors recognise and obey God’s law?

I would encourage Rocky voters to send a clear message to their council: “We want no part of this undemocratic behaviour - stop it now - and vote NO.”

Rockhampton Regional mayor Tony Williams.

ROCKHAMPTON REGIONAL MAYOR TONY WILLIAMS RESPONDS:

I’ve been asked to respond to a letter from Livingstone Shire Council to Rockhampton residents.

At the outset, I want you to know one thing. Rockhampton Regional Council wants both councils to be their best, because when we both do well, we each do better.

From today and early next week, you will receive a postal ballot asking you if you support the transfer of Glendale, Glenlee and Rockyview to Rockhampton Regional Council.

That’s democracy.

Rockhampton has always supported giving our communities a say because your voice matters and your vote matters – it is why councillors in both local governments are elected, because of your vote. You are important and you are part of this decision.

Whereas Livingstone has constantly talked down what residents in those northern suburbs want – they’ve voted three times to come to Rockhampton now – we have supported their voice. And we support yours too, no matter where you live.

Rockhampton Regional Council made a very fair offer to Livingstone to compensate them for these suburbs and it was rejected "out of hand" to quote their mayor.

If the transfer goes ahead, we will still have to discuss compensation.

Rockhampton has not responded to the name calling we have seen come from councillors on the Coast. And we won’t, because you elect us to do better and you hold us to a higher standard. You expect us to be representatives and leaders of your community and that is what Rockhampton Regional Council is doing.

These three suburbs represent the next 50 years of growth for the Rockhampton region – maybe even more.

And if the transfer goes ahead, we will grow these suburbs and Livingstone will grow the coast and we will both be stronger.

A vote “yes” is fairer for everyone. It supports the wishes of residents in the northern suburbs, it gives Rockhampton a secure future for growth and it allows Livingstone to focus on growing the coast, which is where their focus is anyway.

Every person in the Rockhampton region and those northern suburbs will be better off on their rates bill and Livingstone residents will benefit from the agreement that both councils have to come to.

A vote “yes” is the best thing for everyone. It is fairer for all of us now and it will secure our futures together.

- Tony Williams, Mayor Rockhampton region

Originally published as Bad blood continues to boil in the boundary squabble between Rockhampton and Livingstone