Concerns have been raised over the make-up of the transfer committee who will co-ordinate Douglas' de-amalgamation from Cairns Regional Council.

Council's CEO, Peter Tabulo, will join newly appointed transfer manager, Jeff Tate, as one of just two people responsible for deciding the assets and liabilities that are to be transferred to the new Douglas council.

The pair will also decide on matters relevant to capital works and use of community facilities and services, according to a simplified version of the Local Government (De-amalgamation Implementation) Regulation 2013, posted on the Queensland Government website.

Mr Tabulo hosed down concerns saying he will work in the best interests of the entire Cairns Regional Council as it stands, including the Douglas area.

“As the CEO of Cairns Regional Council – which does currently include the former Douglas Shire area and will continue to do so until the end of this year – I have a responsibility to lead this organisation in the best interest of all ratepayers. This will not be compromised despite the de-amalgamation process.

“This Council has maintained a position that it would cooperate fully with relevant authorities throughout the de-amalgamation process and this will continue.

“Negotiations regarding division of assets will be undertaken in a business environment, incorporating objective accounting methods that will ensure fair and equitable outcomes.

“The successful re-establishment of the Douglas Shire Council is a common goal and, as neighbouring council areas, a viable long-term relationship is vital to both parties."

Mr Tate is expected to commence his role in the next two weeks, a role which will see him go into bat for the Douglas region.

The Newsport spoke with the Minister for Local Government, David Crisafulli, who said that Mr Tate was putting his "professional reputation on the line" in accepting the position.

"Jeff Tate's role is to make the amalgamation for Douglas achievable...it's in his interest to make it work, it's in his interest to cut a deal, and he'll be fighting for his council.

"In the same way the Cairns CEO will want to do the right thing for his council, is the same way Mr Tate will want to do right for his council.

"Ultimately, if there's a deadlock then I'll make a decision, but I've said very clearly to these guys that 'you work out the right way to make the right decisions that are fair to everybody.

"Don't come running to me with every bun-fight because I'm then going to pick things that will make you really happy sometimes, and really angry other times.'"

He said Mr Tate will be living within the Douglas community and was confident that he would fulfill the role well.

Division 10 councillor Julia Leu said there were a number of council representatives who were involved when Douglas joined Cairns five years ago.

"The transition committee that we had when we were led into amalgamation, the people that were on that were the relevant mayors, the relevant councillors, the relevant CEOs, and staff representatives."

Other points stipulated in the regulation include:

The newly elected council’s terms start on 1 January 2014 and will run until the next scheduled local government election in 2016.

The Remuneration and Discipline Tribunal will determine the salaries of incoming councillors and there will be no changes to the salaries of the councillors of the remaining regional council for this term.

The transfer manager will be under contract, until 31 December 2013, until which time, on 1 January 2014, the appointee will become the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the new council until the council either decides to extend his employment or appoint another CEO.

The transfer manager will play a key role in deciding the assets and liabilities to transfer to the new council, preparing documents such as a proposed budget and corporate plan for early consideration by the new council, preparing a proposed organisational structure for early consideration by the new council.

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