Queensland Local Government Area amalgamation plebiscites, 2007
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In late 2007, plebiscites on the amalgamation of the Local Government Areas of Queensland
were held. They were federally funded and would not have any effect on the amalgamation, as it would take place regardless of the plebiscites' results.
The plebiscites (conducted by postal voting only) began on 26 November 2007 in the first week after the 2007 federal election, when around 700,000 voters in 85 councils began receiving their ballots. The ballots closed on 7 December 2007 for voters in Caboolture Shire Council, Caloundra City Council, Gold Coast City Council, Noosa Shire Council
, Pine Rivers Shire Council and Redcliffe City Council and on 14 December 2007 for all others. Voters were asked to simply state whether they agree with the mergers or not; voting was not compulsory. While anti-amalgamation campaigner Bob Ansett claimed that the state government and newly elected Prime Minister of Australia
Kevin Rudd
would not be able to ignore a strong vote against the mergers, Queensland's Local Government Minister Warren Pitt
stated that the result of the plebiscites would have no influence on the mergers, which took place in March 2008 with the LGA elections. Pitt reiterated on 2007-12-12 that the plebiscites would not stop the amalgamation.
The results for the Councils which voted by 2007-12-07 were as follows:
More results became known on 2007-12-17, with the rest were announced on 2007-12-18. A majority was against the merger in almost all councils, though turnout was very low in many occasions, weakening the standing of the "no" results. Two councils which merged into the Torres Strait Islands Regional Council
were in favour, though, and voters in Burnett Shire Council were about evenly split on the issue, with 5,203 votes in favour and 5,107 against.
Voters in southern Queensland broadly rejected the mergers, as did all Wide Bay residents (except for Burnett Shire Council, as mentioned above) and in western Queensland.
Local Government Areas of Queensland
This is a list of local government areas in Queensland, sorted by region. For the history and responsibilities of local government in that state, see Local government in Queensland.-LGAs sorted by region:...
were held. They were federally funded and would not have any effect on the amalgamation, as it would take place regardless of the plebiscites' results.
The plebiscites (conducted by postal voting only) began on 26 November 2007 in the first week after the 2007 federal election, when around 700,000 voters in 85 councils began receiving their ballots. The ballots closed on 7 December 2007 for voters in Caboolture Shire Council, Caloundra City Council, Gold Coast City Council, Noosa Shire Council
Noosa, Queensland
The Shire of Noosa was a Local Government Area located about north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast region of South East Queensland, Australia...
, Pine Rivers Shire Council and Redcliffe City Council and on 14 December 2007 for all others. Voters were asked to simply state whether they agree with the mergers or not; voting was not compulsory. While anti-amalgamation campaigner Bob Ansett claimed that the state government and newly elected Prime Minister of Australia
Prime Minister of Australia
The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful...
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
would not be able to ignore a strong vote against the mergers, Queensland's Local Government Minister Warren Pitt
Warren Pitt
Frederick Warren Pitt is an Australian politician. He was a Labor member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 1989 to 1995 and 1998 to 2009.Born in Cairns, Pitt was a school teacher before entering politics...
stated that the result of the plebiscites would have no influence on the mergers, which took place in March 2008 with the LGA elections. Pitt reiterated on 2007-12-12 that the plebiscites would not stop the amalgamation.
The results for the Councils which voted by 2007-12-07 were as follows:
| Council | Turnout | "No" votes |
|---|---|---|
| Caboolture Shire Council | 46% | 62% |
| Caloundra City Council | 52% | 69% |
| Gold Coast City Council | 54% | 81% |
| Noosa Shire Council Noosa, Queensland The Shire of Noosa was a Local Government Area located about north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast region of South East Queensland, Australia... |
69% | 95% |
| Pine Rivers Shire Council | 49% | 73% |
| Redcliffe City Council | 58% | 86% |
More results became known on 2007-12-17, with the rest were announced on 2007-12-18. A majority was against the merger in almost all councils, though turnout was very low in many occasions, weakening the standing of the "no" results. Two councils which merged into the Torres Strait Islands Regional Council
Torres Strait Islands Regional Council
The Torres Strait Islands Region is a Local Government Area located in Far North Queensland, Australia, covering part of the Torres Strait Islands. It was created in March 2008 out of 15 autonomous Island Councils during a period of statewide local government reform...
were in favour, though, and voters in Burnett Shire Council were about evenly split on the issue, with 5,203 votes in favour and 5,107 against.
Voters in southern Queensland broadly rejected the mergers, as did all Wide Bay residents (except for Burnett Shire Council, as mentioned above) and in western Queensland.