RESIDENTS of the old Douglas and Mareeba shires will have their say on de-amalgamation in a referendum to be held next year.

Local Government Minister David Crisafulli made the announcement in Noosa this morning.

The two Far Northern communities were forced into amalgamated super councils in 2007, and have campaigned ever since to secede.

After an analysis by the Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC) and the state’s Boundaries Commissioner, Mr Crisafulli says Douglas and Mareeba would be financially capable of breaking away from the Cairns and Tablelands regional councils, respectively.

But breaking away will come at a cost.

For Douglas, QTC found the initial cost to de-amalgamate would be $8,146,000 or an extra $701 per ratepayer in the first year.

There would also be ongoing costs of an extra $462 per ratepayer every year thereafter, rising with inflation.

And for Mareeba, QTC found the initial cost to de-amalgamate would be $8,200,000 or an extra $872 per ratepayer in the first year.

There would also be ongoing costs of an extra $240 per ratepayer every year thereafter, rising with inflation.

NEW CAIRNS.COM.AU COMMENT POLICY
We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Comments submitted without a full name and suburb/location will not be considered for publication. Please read our full comment policy and publication guidelines.

Share this article