Council affirms its position to retain Shire’s northern suburbs

Livingstone Shire Council has declared its position on retaining several northern suburbs at today’s Ordinary Council Meeting, affirming that it does not support a boundary review.

Mayor Andy Ireland said Council will write to the Hon.Stirling Hinchcliffe, Minister for Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk advising that the newly elected Livingstone Shire Council does not support a boundary review as recommended by the Minister to the Boundary Commissioner in 2019.

“Council values all areas of the shire equally and does not wish to relinquish Glenlee, Glendale, and Rockyview to Rockhampton Regional Council and these suburbs are also key areas of our shire that are included in Council’s future economic development plans,” Mayor Ireland said.

“The retention of the northern areas of our shire is key to the future prosperity of Livingstone and it must be emphasised to the Minister and the Boundary Commissioner as a matter of urgency.

“‘One Shire one Livingstone’ was a key platform for several candidates during the 2020 Local Government election campaign and is a fundamental value shared by the recently elected councillors in Livingstone Shire.

“A unified shire, equality in decision-making and resource allocation, and greater consideration to the rural areas, is a message that has hopefully been communicated to all residents of the shire and which we believe gives confidence and encouragement to our citizens to remain with Livingstone.

“Council’s plans for the development of the northern corridor to accommodate investment in light, medium, and heavy density industry, together with the development of associated residential living areas, is key to future economic prosperity.

“This “prosperity” will be the mechanism for growth in business, growth in jobs, growth in families associated with workers in these jobs, and a growth in housing that comes with more families relocating to the area.

“A growth in housing provides greater rates revenue, which allows Council to then place downward pressure on rates levied. The northern areas of our shire are therefore fundamental to our future economic development and rating strategy.”