Local Government Minister David Crisafulli today released the name of the Douglas transfer manager and the rules to guide the de-amalgamation of the four Queensland councils.

Jeff Tate will be the transfer manager for Douglas. According to a State Government statement, Mr Tate has 18 years’ experience as a local government CEO, 14 of which were running one of the largest councils in South Australia.

He was also the project manager for the amalgamation that led to the establishment of the City of Onkaparinga. He now consults to a range of councils and the Local Government Association of South Australia on current local government issues.

Mr Crisafulli said the four managers brought with them a wealth of experience.

“Between them, these four men (Jeff Tate, Douglas - Peter Franks, Noosa - Rod Ferguson, Mareeba - Graeme Kanofski, Livingstone) have nearly 70 years of experience as CEOs in local government,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Best of all, while all four have no connection to the current councils or the de-amalgamation proponents, they’re all moving to the communities to live locally so they can understand firsthand the challenges ahead.”

Mr Crisafulli said the regulations, approved by the Governor in Council, would ensure:

• Transfer managers and council CEOs negotiate assets and liabilities to transfer to the new councils
• A determination of a range of employee numbers to transfer to the new entity
• Fresh elections for new councils will be held in the last quarter of this year
• The newly elected councils’ terms start on January 1, 2014 until the next scheduled Local Government elections in 2016

“There is also a provision outlining that the transfer manager meets at least monthly with a local advisory committee to ensure the views of the community are heard during the de-amalgamation process,” he said.

The advisory committee for Douglas has been selected with approval from the Minister. Local MP David Kempton, a representative of the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce, and a representative of the Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree will form the local advisory committee.

“We’ve said from the beginning that de-amalgamation was not for the faint-hearted and now the hard work will begin,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The challenges are significant, and now we have the people and systems in place to roll up our sleeves and turn the wishes of these four communities into reality.”

More to come...