Bugger Off Beattie & Where is Kevin Rudd?

Clare Mildren is a mother, a country woman, a primary producer, and she is also vehemently opposed to forced local government amalgamation. Clare Mildren is also a councilor on Eidsvold Shire Council, and after the Red Friday Rally in Gayndah, there is no doubt about her opinion of the Beattie Government's Local Government Reform Process. In fact the sentiment regarding the Beattie Government's position was quite clear. What is less clear, is Kevin Rudd's position on Local Government Reform in Queensland. It is clear that Rudd is not in favour of amalgamation, this has been on the public record more than once. However has he been able to gain any traction on this matter?

There is no doubt that for Mr Rudd to win office he must pick up seats in Queensland. However if amalgamation continues as planned it is difficult to imagine those crucial seats will come his way.

Red Friday - The Burnett Strikes Back

This is a new improved version of a previous video with a similar title. Apologies to Carl Rackemann for that little typo in the previous video.

On the 17th of April the Beattie government launched a preemptive strike on rural Queensland, when they announced that the voluntary "Size, Shape, and Sustainability" process to local government reform had been replaced by a rapid, forced, and undemocratic process. On Friday the 8th of June, Red Friday, the people of the Burnett struck back, holding a protest march in Gayndah.

Approximately 500 people met to listen to a bevvy of formal and informal speeches. The discussions revealed many important facts and a groundswell of sentiment, however two key points emerged.

The people of the Burnett are not prepared to idly accept the Local Government Reform process and secondly that the group gathered in Gayndah which to progress their protest in a robust fashion.

Below is a new improved video bringing out some of the main points of the day. Stay tuned for more videos and information over the coming days.

Red Friday - Hobbs shoots holes in Amalgamation

At the Red Friday Rally in Gayndah, Member for Warrego, Howard Hobbs fired a volley of shots into the Beattie government's case for Local Government Amalgamation. After the Hobbs bombing raid, the Local Government Reform process and the logic behind it were left in tatters.

Red Friday - Stone Mourns the Death of Democracy

Cr Eddie Stone is the mayor of Kolan Shire Council, he has been a councilor for 28 years this year and mayor for 7. At the Red Friday Rally in Gayndah, Cr Stone expressed his concern over forced Local Government Amalgamation. During the march the former Cane farmer and Grazier carried a coffin to symbolise the Death of Democracy which he says was brutally murdered by Peter Beattie. You can see Cr Stone's Red Friday speech on the video below.

Red Friday - The Burnett Strikes Back

On the 17th of April the Beattie government launched a preemptive strike on rural queensland, when they announced that the voluntary "Size, Shape, and Sustainability" process to local government reform had been replaced by a rapid, forced, and undemocratic process. On Friday the 8th of June, Red Friday, the people of the Burnett struck back, holding a protest march in Gayndah.

Approximately 500 people met to listen to a bevvy of formal and informal speeches. The discussions revealed many important facts and a groundswell of sentiment, however two key points emerged.

The people of the Burnett are not prepared to idly accept the Local Government Reform process and secondly that the group gathered in Gayndah which to progress their protest in a robust fashion.

Below is a short video bringing out some of the main points of the day. Over the next week or two more videos of the speeches will be released and more information dispersed, so stay tuned.

Finally a list of the key speakers will appear beneath the video.





Cr Eddie Stone Mayor - Kolan Shire Council

Cr Bill Mellor Mayor - Gayndah Shire Council

Cr Wayne Honor Kolan Shire Council

Cr Graeme Claxton Deputy Mayor - Kolan Shire Council

Cr Clare Mildren Eidsvold Shire Council

Cr Glen Churchill Mayor - Banana Shire Council and Nationals Candidate for Flynn

Red Friday - A poem by Kathy Duff

Well the Red Friday rally in Gayndah went off very well. The success of the day can be attributed to many people, one person who contributed in no small what was Cr Kathy Duff from Wondai Shire Council. If you read our earlier post you will know that Kathy wrote a Red Friday poem. You may not know that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Fiona Simpson MP was due to table the poem in Parliament today (make that yesterday, i just saw the time). At this stage we do not know if Ms Simpson was able to table the poem before being ejected from the house. So just to be sure here is a video of Cr Duff reading her poem "Red Friday"

The Full Churchill Speech

Here is the full Churchill speech at the Red Friday Rally in Gayndah.

Cr Glen Churchill is the National candidate for the new federal seat of Flynn he spoke strongly at the Red Friday Rally in Gayndah.

Churchill drops an LGAQ bomb on Beattie government

National party candidate for the new Federal seat of Flynn, Cr Glenn Churchill dropped a bombshell at Gayndah's Red Friday rally today. Churchill, a member of the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAC)executive, revealed that an independent review of the Treasury's analysis of Queensland Councils had been commissioned by the LQAG and would be handed down in the next week. Cr Churchill said the report will counter claims that 46% of councils are financially weak. "When the report comes out the premier, and his ministers will have egg on their face!"

When in Rome!!

Rome is considered by some to be the birthplace of democracy! So it is with some irony that the "Club of Rome", a member of the high profile global think tank should join the long line of advisors to speak out against local government amalgamation.

Dr Kieth Suter is a futurist, economic and social planner, author and of course a member of the "Club of Rome". Dr Suter said "super shires" were not suitable for Queensland and pointed to the failure of Victorian local government amalgamation. Dr Suter recently spoke on the "Politics of Climate Change"at the Qld government's Natural Resource Conference in Brisbane.

Source: ABC Online

Red Friday

By Kathy Duff
Wondai Shire

Red Friday is the day to unite Queenslanders across the land
We don’t want our shires amalgamated so its time to make a stand

The symbol of the blood of communities has become the color red
So we’ll wear it, paint it, flaunt it to show Beattie our spirit is not dead.

These shires have served us well for 100 years or more
We must protect what we have worked for and not let Beattie close the door.

Its not the size that matters of our Councils big or small
It’s the community spirit that binds us and makes us all stand tall

Together in red we will march and together we will stand
from the Bush to the beach we will rally united hand in hand

From Noosa to Wondai, Monto, Kolan, Gayndah and Boulia in the west
We want to keep our shires special and not let Beattie make a mess

What’ll be his next mistake, it could be heads or tails
If he’s so keen to amalgamate why don’t we merge with New South Wales

Its democracy we fought for and the right to have a say
We must rally for what we believe in and not let Beattie get his way.

Monto Vids featured on Mackay Councillor Blog

George Christensen is a small business owner and editor of two community newspapers in Mackay. Interestingly George is also a councilor on Mackay City Council (see his MSC webpage).
George posted our two Future of Monto videos on his website here and here. George has been outspoken on the issue of local government reform, here is an article from George's blog and here is his own youtube video on the issue of amalgamation. It is great to see the democratic process in full swing.

Red Friday

Say NO to Forced Council Amalgamation!!!

BURNETT COMMUNITIES RALLY
GAYNDAH

Friday June 8th 2007 High Noon (12 NOON)

Show Peter Beattie that we demand

Local Voice and Local Choice


• Before 12.00 noon assemble for March at Lions Park to proceed along Anzac Parade to Jay Cees Park for speeches & free sausage sizzle.

• Wear Red (The color that has become the symbol of the protest)

• Groups & individuals organise tansport, banners/placards eg shire names and messages. Let as many people know as possible.

• If you can’t be at the rally then paint your town red in conjunction with the protest in the west by decorating shops, cars, flag poles, houses, power poles etc.

AMALGAMATION KILLS RURAL SHIRES

Contact Trevor Gleeson springgrove [at] burnett.net.au
Kathy Duff Kathy [at] duff.com.au
Bill Mellor office at] gayndah.qld.gov.au

“DON’T LET THE BURNETT BLEED”

MONTO SHIRE WORKERS VOTE FOR (RED FRIDAY) RDO (ROSTERED DAY OFF)

Before 7am this morning, Monday,4th June, Council external workforce voted to take their rostered day off on (RED FRIDAY), giving employees the opportunity to march in the GAYNDAH forced amalgamation PROTEST MARCH, friday 8th,june 07, 12noon, buses leave Monto 9:30/ 10:00am friday morning.

       THIS IS THE BURNETT GOING TO BATTLE AGAINST BEATTIE,S MADNESS.

Friday's March Update

Don’t Let The Burnett Bleed!

March on RED FRIDAY, June 8

PROTEST MARCH AGAINST FORCED AMALGAMATION OF RURAL COUNCILS AND THE DISREGARD FOR DEMOCRACY IN RURAL QUEENSLAND.


WHERE: GAYNDAH, LIONS PARK along ANZAC PARADE to JAYCEE PARK (for participants to make statements of objection).
WHEN: FRIDAY 8TH JUNE (to be known as RED FRIDAY - symbolizing the bleeding of the bush).
TIME: MARCH will commence at Noon

In response to the Queensland State government's ongoing failure to respond to the serious negative effects of the planned Forced Council Amalgamations, a PROTEST DAY has been organised for the Burnett region.

A march to express Burnett residents' fears and concerns for the repurcussions of sweeping changes to Local Government boundaries has been organised in response to widespread anger in the small rural communities in the Burnett region.

Friday 8th June has been dubbed "Red Friday" by organisers, and the protest will coincide with the GAYNDAH ORANGE FESTIVAL. Support is expected from MONTO, WONDAI, PROSTON,EIDSVOLD,GAYNDAH, CHILDERS, KOLAN,and PERRY Shires, with residents of all shires affected by the changes invited to take part. Participants are expected to represent a wide cross-section of these communities, from those directly connected to local councils, to primary producers, business owners, retired residents and families.

Among the issues to be aired will be decreased employment opportunities, more frail support systems, negative widespread business and social consequences, and the threat to the very existence of many small towns which currently play a vital role in the Burnett region.

This is a grass roots action and the people and politicians of Queensland need to hear how amalgamation will impact on us, our families, and our towns.

Buses will leave Monto Post Office at 10:00 am sharp on Friday morning. A bus is also being organised to take people from Eidsvold. (Please contact councils or rally contacts for bus info for other towns).

Participants are urged to bring PLACARDS, FLAGS or BANNERS, with a clear protest message. Organisers also recommend participants bring a hat, folding chair, snack and water.

For more information

pigmoosedotcom [at] gmail [dot] com

Don’t Let The Burnett Bleed!

Don’t Let The Burnett Bleed!
March on Red Friday, June 8

PROTEST MARCH AGAINST FORCED AMALGAMATION OF RURAL COUNCILS AND THE DISREGARD FOR DEMOCRACY IN RURAL QUEENSLAND.

WHERE: GAYNDAH, LIONS PARK along ANZAC PARADE to JAYCEE PARK (where the protest RALLY will make statements of objection).

WHEN: FRIDAY 8TH JUNE (to be known as RED FRIDAY - symbolizing the bleeding of the bush).

TIME: MARCH will commence at Noon

In response to the Beattie government's ongoing failure to respond to the serious negative effects of the planned Forced Shire Amalgamations, a PROTEST day has been organised for the Burnett region.

A march to express of Burnett residents' fears and concerns for the repurcussions of sweeping changes to Local Government boundaries has been organised in response to widespread anger in the small rural communities in the Burnett region.

Friday 8th June has been dubbed "Red Friday" by organisers, and coincides with the GAYNDAH ORANGE FESTIVAL. Support is expected from MONTO, WONDAI, PROSTON,EIDSVOLD,GAYNDAH,CHILDERS,GIN GIN,and PERRY Shires, with residents of all shires affected invited to take part.

Among the issues to be aired will be employment issues, social consequences, more frail support systems and the threat to the very existence of many small towns which currently play a vital role in the Burnett region.

This is a grass roots action and the people and politicians of Queensland need to hear how amalgamation will impact on you, your family, and your town.

Buses will leave Monto Post Office no later than 10:00 am Friday morning. A bus is also being organised to take people from Eidsvold...

Participants should bring hat PLACARDS, FLAGS, BANNERS, with a clear simple message why you ARE PROTESTING. Organisers also recommend participants bring a folding chair, snack hat and water.


CONTACTS
pigmoosedotcom [at] gmail [dot] com

Red Friday 8th of June

Don't Let The Burnett Bleed!

March in Gayndah on Red Friday 8th of June

Friday the 8th of June 2007 is Red Friday. Burnett District residents will meet in Gayndah at 12noon to protest forced amalgamation of Queensland Local Governments. The march will be followed by speechs and a sausage sizzle. For more information stay tuned to this site.

Amalgamation Links

Brisbane Courier Mail article and comments;

Article looking at both pros and cons for amalgamation for certain Qld situations;

Local Government Association of Queensland;

Blog created by citizens of the Monto Shire **;

Mayor's Message - Peak Downs

Local Democracy - not sure of their affiliations but has strong points (and a few cute poems too!);

Sydney Morning Herald article when the same bs was given to their regional councils;

A University Case Study highlighting how forced amalgamation in Victoria did major disservice;

Hansard entry highlighting where WA shire amalgamation has let down locals;

Thanks Sophie via Mandy for these links

local government forced amalgamations - Monto Shire Council

As small local business owners and employee of local council we empatically object to forced amalgamation of our shire.  The effects on our town will be devastating and dire. Not only this the whole legislation is undemocratic and hitlerism at its best.  The domino effect of such loss of major employer in our town will see declines in our essential services and our retail sector.  Simply by deleting the additional income that 8 councillors and perhaps 10 employees (to say the least) from our community's cash flow will have nothing but a negative effect on our economic outlook.  This is not even taking into account any further onflow of loss of cash flow will have on our town.  What will effectively happen is that once cash flow is reduced, then our local businesses will have no choice but to stock less lines and this will lead to a domino flowon effect of a decline in our trade.  People will in time have no option but to travel to larger centres to do their buying as the perception will be that the stores in town will have nothing or very little to chose from.  Also, add to this the loss of even a small percentage of essential services.  We already have problems with no private dentist and no full-time solicitor which necessitates some of the community travelling away to major centres to conduct these business transactions. We can ill-afford to lose any medical services with our ageing population as the present medical situation has already declined since we have been reducted from 2 full-time private doctors which results in a waiting list to see medical practitioners at short notice unless an emergency situation.  Already, we have an abortion of a system of the ambulance and we do not need any diminishment in our essential services which could reflect similarly to the ambulance system.

 

Kim Mundt

153 Luthje Road

MONTO  4630

 

Channel 7 Coverage of Community Meeting

Here is a copy of the Channel 7 story following the community meeting on Thursday the 10th of May.

e-Petition

Amanda Sailsbury has just sent a link for an e-Petition intitiated by Vivienne Rosemary Champion and sponsored by Howard Hobbs M.P.. You can find the link below.


go to the e-petition

Dean

People power vs Amalgamation

Thursday 10th May, the people of the Monto community meet in the shire hall.

We are meeting to discuss our future. The Queensland Government has set in train forced amalgamation of local governments. In many small rural towns like Monto, the council is a major employer. So in addition to residents being concerned by a lack of representation, and loss of municipal services. There is the concern that even a small shrinkage in the local workforce will have a knock on effect in the economy. This could lead to a loss of essential services like hospitals, schools, and the small but excellent retail opportunities a small twon like ours has.

Tonight people spoke passionately about thier town and consensus was reached that the vast majority want to keep thier town and keep thier conuncil. There will be plenty more said on the subject and the people of Monto will have thier say.

Mobilising People Power or is it People Post?

This afternoon I have recieved some information or should I say a strategy from a concerned citizen that has the potential to be very powerful on this issue. It is a rather simple strategy, however sometimes the simplest ideas can work. Be in no doubt though if followed through it is a strategy that will work. I was supplied with two documents a form letter and instructions for using the form letter.

The Instructions

Fighting for Survival - Rural Queensland

Can you post 8 letters each week?

How to use this template.

What's the idea?

To have a format that allows the different issues about this legislation to get to the State Government and the media.

To do this with little to no resources.

What do I do?

Use the 'Fighting for Survival - Rural Queensland' template and in the space provided write your issues with this legislation.

Post 8 letters a week.

Step 1:

In the space provided write the issues that affect you or your family. Handwritten and dot point are fine. If you can see many issues then use a different issue each week.

Step 2:

Get 7 photocopies of your letter - now you have an original and 7 copies.

Step 3:

Fill in your name and address on the original and 5 copies, and then sign these.

Step 4:

Post the original, in an envelope, to:

The Premier Peter Beattie
Queensland Government
PO Box 15185
City East Queensland 4002.

Step 5:

Post each of the 5 copies to:

Channel 7 Brisbane
Editor In Chief
GPO Box 604
Mt Coot-tha Queensland 4001

Channel 9 Brisbane
Editor In Chief
GPO Box 72
Brisbane Queensland 4001

Channel 10 Brisbane
Editor In Chief
GPO Box 751
Brisbane Queensland 4001

The ABC
Editor In Chief
GPO Box 9994
Brisbane Queensland 4001

Rose Barrett
Editor In Chief - Newsroom
The Courier-Mail
GPO Box 130
Brisbane Queensland 4001

Step 6:

Post an unaddressed and unsigned copy to a friend, relative or colleague who lives on the coast or in the South East corner. In a covering letter tell them how important the issues are to you and ask them to help by following these instructions. To be successful we MUST engage the population on the coast and in the South East corner. We can do this MOST EFFCTIVELY by using our individual contacts. Every one of us has contacts that can help - use them NOW.

Step 7:

Post an unaddressed and unsigned copy to a friend, relative or colleague who lives in rural Queensland and ask them to follow these steps.

This process will allow us to get all our issues to the Premier and the media.

Each one of us commits to posting 8 letters per week.

Our strength is in numbers,
Our success is in our tenacity.

The Form Letter

You will be able to pick up a copy of the letter from tonight's public meeting and we will endavour to have it down loadable from this site in coming days.

RE: Public Meeting Tonight

Hi Everyone, very quickly for anyone who has not yet heard. There will be a
public meeting at the Monto Shire Hall tonight, Thursday 10 May 2007 at 7pm.
The meeting has been organised by community members to provide a forum for
local people to discuss our response to the Qld Government's Local
Government Amalgamation Initiative. All are welcome! Dean

Welcome to the Future of Monto

At a recent information evening convened by the Monto Shire Council to discuss coucil's submission to the Local Government Reform Commission, it became evident that the Monto community wants to be heard regarding "Future of Monto".

This website has been created to provide a space for discussion to take place. Residents of the Monto community and other interested parties are invited to comment, participate, and have thier voice heard. In addition you will find resources here to assist in understanding the role of the Local Government Reform Commission, action taken by other communities, and other useful information regarding amalgamation and the future of rural communities.

This website was created by Dean Power for the Monto Community. Please observe legal and moral considerations in using this website. If you have any queries please email me. My email address is me[at]deanpower.net

Have a great day. Dean