President of the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ), Councillor Paul Bell, has called on the Queensland Government to provide what he believes is overdue financial support.
“In April 2008, shortly after the amalgamations, Premier Anna Bligh invited the councils to make submissions for additional financial assistance,” he said. “The deadline was March this year.
“It is now six months after that deadline and many councils are asking when the Government is going to provide answers.
“There has been enough time to assess the applications, and councils and their communities deserve answers.
“The costs of council amalgamations across Queensland could reach $200 million, much more than the $27 million provided by the State to implement the changes.
“New information technology and communication systems required, and salary and wages equalisation are just some of the factors created solely by the amalgamations. They are unavoidable and place permanent ongoing constraints on council budgets.
“The savings from the amalgamations are minimal and it will be a decade or more before they are fully realised.
“On behalf of the amalgamated councils, the LGAQ again calls on the Queensland Government to provide additional funding to support councils.
“We seek urgent answers to the applications submitted by the councils.”
