2014-10-14 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda - Pages 51 - 117

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA   14 OCTOBER 2014




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PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                              14 OCTOBER 2014

        Ly                    PROPOSAL FOR A BOUNDARY CHANGE

            BOUNDARY CHANGE — WHAT IS INVOLVED

            Boundary changes are governed by the Local Government Act 2009 (updated
            2014) and investigated by a Change Commission within the Queensland
            Electoral Commission.!   Only the Minister may propose a local government
            change to the Change Commission (usually the Electoral Commissioner), who in
            turn must assess if the change is in the public interest. The Change Commission
            must consider three factors: whether the proposed change is consistent with the
            Local Government Act; the views of the Minister regarding the proposed change;
            and any matters prescribed by legislation. These matters include:
               =  Community of interest matter including the water catchment principle;
               "  Joint arrangements - could the issue be better addressed by joint
                  arrangements rather than a boundary change;
               «Planning matters, in particular planning and development for the benefits
                  of an area, efficiency considerations and projected population growth; and
               =  Resource base sufficiency

            The methodology for investigation is determined by the Change Commissioner
            unless directed to undertake specific assessments by the Minister.

            If a Change is recommended, this is implemented by the Governor-in-Council
            under regulation.

            The Minister has indicated that in the case of one Council disagreeing, the
            community case must be very strong and compelling.     The case must address
            the matters prescribed in the legislation as set out above.

            The Minister would want to know from the affected Councils any potential
            negative  impacts,  whether the    Councils have the    resource  capacity to
            accommodate the change in boundary and any water catchment and planning
            issues.

            The community have to demonstrate as far as possible the benefits and the
            extent of community of interest.

            It is our understanding that we should keep open dialogue with both Councils (if
            possible) and present our arguments to the affected local Councils as a prelude
            to putting our community submission to the Minister.

            1 Local Government Act Qid 2009
                                                                                        4
            Submission from the EDV Group

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