Qld: Nominations close in local govt elections

AAP General News (Australia)
02-19-2008
Qld: Nominations close in local govt elections

By Gabrielle Dunlevy

BRISBANE, Feb 19 AAP - Nominations have closed for the most controversial local government
elections in Queensland's history.

The March 15 poll is the first to be held since the state government's sweeping reforms
of the sector, which cut the number of councils from 156 to 72.

The amalgamations prompted protests from rural and regional residents, who say their
councils are integral to their way of life.

At the height of the furore, more than 6,000 people marched on the Queensland Parliament
in August.

The rally prompted former Prime Minister John Howard to intervene, giving Queenslanders
a vote on the issue.

The non-binding, federally-funded plebiscites reflected the overwhelming opposition to the moves.

The elections are expected to draw a large field of candidates for fewer positions
- the number of councillors will be slashed from 1,094 to 454.

Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) executive director Greg Hallam said
a large number of mayors, councillors and CEOs would retire.

"It's going to be the biggest and most difficult term of local government we have faced
for a number of years," Mr Hallam told AAP.

"If you make all the difficult but right decisions about shutting depots, rationalising
services, changing town plans ... you have got to get in and do some really hard things.

"They know it's going to draw political heat."

But at the more urban-based councils of the Gold and Sunshine coasts, candidates are
hungry for the challenge.

The Liberal Party hopes to consolidate its dominance of state government on the Gold
Coast, running mayoral candidate Tom Tate, entrepreneur and co-owner of the Gold Coast
Blaze basketball franchise.

He joins a colourful field, including incumbent mayor, veteran Olympian Ron Clarke,
and Elvis impersonator Dean Vegas.

On the Sunshine Coast, three councils - Noosa, Caloundra and Maroochy - will be rolled into one.

Only two of the mayors, Noosa's Bob Abbot and Maroochy's Joe Natoli will vie for leadership
of the "super council", and a $180,000 a year salary.

Popular state Independent MP Peter Wellington today threw his support behind Mr Abbot.

"It's obviously a very important election for the coast and we have one chance to get
this right," Mr Wellington said.

"I think now more than ever the coast needs what Bob has to offer."

Meanwhile, Queensland Local Government Minister Warren Pitt said cabinet had approved
new requirements to prevent conflicts of interest in local government.

"Currently, it is an expectation that a full-time public sector employee who took on
a full time elected local government position would resign," Mr Pitt said.

"What we have done is to make that a requirement."

Public servants will be required to resign from their positions if they are elected
as a mayor and earn a salary of $69,610 or more, or if they become a councillor earning
$60,120 or more.

AAP gd/pjo/maur/de

KEYWORD: COUNCILS LEAD

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