Queensland Minister for Local Government, David Crisafulli, has announced he will refer local government de-amalgamation proposals from five former shires to the Boundaries Commissioner.

 

The proposals from Douglas, Isis, Livingstone, Mareeba and Noosa will now be progressed over the coming months.

 

“Over the next two and a half months, Boundaries Commissioner Col Meng will be working with Queensland Treasury Corporation to closely scrutinise the financial and logistical aspects of each proposal,” Mr Crisafulli said.

 

“This was always going to be a difficult process but if a proposal stacks up, the community will make the final decision at a referendum.”

 

Mr Crisafulli said that each council had to meet a set of strict guidelines, including delivering a strong, evidence-based, community-backed submission based on the pre-amalgamation boundaries.

 

Councils had to provide a detailed estimate of the potential financial costs and include a petition signed by at least 20 per cent of the voting population that showed an understanding of all the cost implications.

 

Mr Meng will deliver a final report, including recommendations, to Mr Crisafulli by the end of November.