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when they announced that the voluntary "Size, Shape, and Sustainability" process to local government reform had been replaced by a rapid, forced, and undemocratic process.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 - 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when they announced that the voluntary "Size, Shape, and Sustainability" process to local government reform had been replaced by a rapid, forced, and undemocratic process.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

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.

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

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.

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