Rockhampton makes “completely disingenuous” compensation offer to Livingstone in its attempts to poach northern suburbs

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Published
6th June 2022

Rockhampton Regional Council has made a “completely disingenuous” compensation offer in its attempts to poach three Livingstone suburbs, according to Mayor Andy Ireland. 

Mayor Ireland said the Rockhampton Mayor frequently comments in the media about a compensation offer to acquire Glenlee, Glendale and Rockyview and all stakeholders should be made aware of its nature. 

“Without categorically stating it, the implication could be drawn that Livingstone Shire Council is somehow being uncooperative, and perhaps belligerent,” he said. 

“RRC offered to pay LSC 50% of the rates for the three suburbs for the next ten years. 

“Why would we accept 50% of the rates, when we could continue to receive 100%? 

“RRC said it would write to the Queensland Treasury Corporation to have $10 million of LSC’s debt waived. 

“This is like your neighbour promising to talk to your bank about getting a discount off your mortgage. 

“This is mind boggling in its naivety, as this is not their debt to wipe in the first place. 

“It doesn’t stack up in a commercial sense, and the QTC component is simply astounding. 

“LSC considers it a completely disingenuous offer and rejected it out of hand. 

“There is no disputing that Livingstone residents will be financially worse off if the suburbs are transferred. 

“The QTC’s own report estimates our rates could rise between $161 to $250 per property, per annum – or alternatively, services would need to be reduced. 

“I fail to see how this is “the fairest thing for everybody” to paraphrase RRC’s slogan.  

“Livingstone hasn’t made up these figures to scare people. 

“The same report also clearly states that the transfer would have a ‘negative impact’ on our financial profile and a positive impact on RRC. 

“We’re strongly urging every enrolled voter in the community to ‘vote no’ to the boundary change when they receive their ballot in the mail from the Electoral Commission Queensland from June 20. 

“The people of Livingstone should not be financially disadvantaged over a blatant land grab by our neighbour.”