EXPRESS The
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Locally owned and proudly independent
2 WEEKS TO GO! Mareeba Rodeo Grounds
MAY
27 & 28
Cash split row
By Justin Fris
T
Families come together to celebrate Mother’s Day
Lucia Curcio, spent time Like many across Australia, mother and daughter, Rosina and Curcio family The Day. ’s Mother te celebra to Sunday last with family and friends Club. tional Interna a Mareeb the at lunch with ted celebra
ABLELANDS Regional Council Mayor Rosa Lee Long is not amused by Deputy Premier Jackie Trad’s recent de-amalgamation cash split ruling. Deeply concerned about how this decision will impact ratepayers within her jurisdiction, Mayor Lee Long said ratepayers within the TRC should not be forced into footing the bill of de-almagamtion. “Our ratepayers should not be footing the bill for the de-amalgamation and our communities should not be robbed of their cash reserves due to a flawed process,” she said. In an official statement, the TRC claims that prior to amalgamation with the Mareeba Shire Council in 2008, the following Tablelands councils (Atherton, Eacham and Herberton) had a total of $30,336,808 allocated as cash reserves. It also stipulates that the MSC had a total of $22,569,308 in comparison. Ms Trad’s ruling means the cash split will be virtually down the middle. As it stands, the TRC will receive $26,024,048, while the MSC will yield $26,053,002; with Mayor Lee Long calling for greater understanding from the Palaszczuk Government. “We are seeking an understanding of the ethical redistribution of funds
What’s New At Amaroo?
which, we argue, has been determined by a model which does not accurately report the property, plant and equipment redistribution, and relies on assumptions and calculations which we dispute,” she said. Should the decision be upheld after negotiations, Mayor Lee Long said it appeared inevitable that TRC ratepayers would be hit from the back pocket. “This decision will definitely hit our resident’s pockets. “On a ratepayer basis, this is a transfer of cash from our ratepayers to Mareeba of more than $560 per ratepayer. “To ensure our cash reserves don’t runout in a couple of years, and to ensure a viable Council post de-amalgamation, we will have to consider a significant rate rise and potential levy to cover this loss. “Our region deserves a better deal from the State Government who initially forced amalgamation and then de-amalgamation onto our communities without any of our residents having a say. “The previous Minister responsible for de-amalgamation indicated that the broad de-amalgamation policy position was that the continuing Council would be no worse off and that the new Council would be responsible for the full cost of de-amalgamation, and if that’s the case, our region needs a more equitable financial split.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
F ind us on
QBCC 1076708
Debbie 0409 321 000
amarooparkestate.com.au
Land Sales Centre Open Hastie Rd. Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 3pm