Stanthorpe votes to leave Southern Downs

MORE than 1200 people have turned out to say no more Southern Downs at a public rally in Stanthorpe this afternoon.

Hundreds turn out for a rally in Stanthorpe in favour of de-amalgamation from SDRC, April 29, 2018. Picture: Donna Cecil

MORE than 1200 people have turned out to say no more Southern Downs at a public rally in Stanthorpe this afternoon.

The push from the Granite Belt Community Association Inc to see Stanthorpe de-amlagamate from the Southern Downs Regional Council has been gaining momentum, with more than 5000 people signing an official petition in favour of the motion.

According to State Government regulations, this figure easily passes the 20 percent of the former Stanthorpe Shire's  voters required.

According to the electoral role pre-amalgamation with Warwick, there were 7360 voters registered.

At this afternoon's rally, a public vote was requested and from 1280 votes, 1279 voted to proceed with the de-amalgamation process, while one person voted no.

It is reported members of the Granite Belt Community Association Inc will travel to Brisbane tomorrow to meet with Member for Southern Downs James Lister and present their petition and motion to the Clerk of the Parliament.

The next stage is to prove to the State Government the group has the financial costing in place to de-amalgamate.

If this is accepted by Minister for Local Government Sterling Hinchliffe, a future step will involve a region-wide referendum, whereby the majority of current Southern Downs residents will need to vote in favour of de-amalgamation for the motion to pass.

Originally published as Stanthorpe votes to leave Southern Downs