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De-amalgamation

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1. How can I contact the Transfer Manager in relation to de-amalgamation?

Anyone wishing to contact the Transfer Manager should email enquiries@livingstone.qld.gov.au or call 1300 22 55 77.

2. How much will de-amalgamation cost?

De-amalgamation costs include all costs incurred from the date of the poll for de-amalgamation on 9 March 2013 to the date of de-amalgamation, 1 January 2014. Livingstone Shire Council is required to pay its de-amalgamation costs as well as those of Rockhampton Regional Council. Prior to the de-amalgamation vote Queensland Treasury Corporation estimated that total de-amalgamation costs would be $9,983,000. It is anticipated that final costs will be slightly below this figure.

3. How was the number of staff to be transferred been decided?

The Local Government (De-amalgamation Implementation) Regulation 2013 requires the Rockhampton Regional Council’s Chief Executive Officer to decide the number of positions (within the approved range of between 325 to 400 full time employee equivalent positions) to transfer to Livingstone Shire Council. 392 full time equivalent staff have been advised that they will be transferring to Livingstone Shire Council on 1 January 2014

The Transfer Manager has prepared an interim organisational structure which will commence on 1 January 2014 and remain in place until the new council adopts a new structure.

4. Which Council should I pay my rates to?

Until 31 December 2013, all rates, fees and charges, owed by residents/property owners will be paid to Rockhampton Regional Council.

After 1 January 2014, all rates, fees and charges owed by residents/property owners in the former Livingstone Shire area will be paid to the Livingstone Shire Council.

5. Will I still be able to pay my rates, registrations, bills, licences at any Rockhampton Regional Council Customer Service Centre?

All rates, fees and charges issued before 1 January 2014 can be paid at any Customer Service Centre in Rockhampton Region.

After 1 January 2014 any rates, fees and charges issued by Livingstone Shire Council will have to be paid at a Livingstone Shire Council Customer Service Centre. Local government authorities do not accept payments on behalf of neighbouring or other councils.

6. Where will Livingstone Shire Council’s offices be located?

The Transfer Manager, Graeme Kanofski has advised that residents and ratepayers will receive advice on office locations, contact numbers and any other essential service information via mail and through the media in late November or early December 2013. The Transfer Manager has advised that the existing Customer Service Centre at Yeppoon Town Hall will remain in place after 1 January 2014.

7. Will my direct debit transfer over?

If someone has an authority with Rockhampton Regional Council then legally it transfers by virtue of the Regulation. However, we will look at the practical implications, but it is unlikely people will have to complete paperwork, as it should be automatically changed.

8. What happens if my balance is in credit on 1 January 2014?

Any outstanding balances for Livingstone Shire residents will automatically transfer to Livingstone Shire Council on 1 January 2014.

9. When will the Council election be held?

The Local Government Minister, David Crisafulli has announced that the Council election will be held on 9 November 2013.
For more information please contact QEC by telephone 1300 881 665 or visit their website at www.qec.qld.gov.au

10. What happens if I have an outstanding balance on 1 January 2014?

Any outstanding balances from payments like rates, animal registrations, licences and venue hire for Livingstone Shire residents will automatically transfer to Livingstone Shire Council.

11. Will the money I pay for my July rates be spent in the Livingstone Shire area?

All rates, fees and charges paid by residents/property owners to Rockhampton Regional Council will be used to fund services and programs as outlined in the 2013/14 Budget which includes the Livingstone Shire area up until 1 January 2014.

12. What will happen to my animal registration and other registrations/licences after 1 January 2014?

All licences and registrations issued by Rockhampton Regional Council will transfer over to Livingstone Shire Council from 1 January 2014 and remain current until their expiration date.

13. Will any outstanding requests I have lodged with Rockhampton Regional Council transfer over to Livingstone Shire Council and will my request number change?

Yes outstanding requests will transfer over and will be allocated a new request number.

14. When will a budget for Livingstone be prepared?

The 2013/14 Budget provides for the whole organisation until 31 December 2013 and it is expected that Livingstone Shire Council will prepare and adopt its own budget for the period 1 January 2014 to 30 June 2014 by the end of January 2014.

15. How do I become a councillor and what is involved?

The upcoming election will be run by the Electoral Commission Queensland. For general enquiries and those enquiries relating to information for intending councillors and councillor resource kits, please visit www.ecq.qld.gov.au or phone 1300 881 665.

16. How can I contact Council after 1 January 2014?

The Transfer Manager, Graeme Kanofski has advised that residents and ratepayers will receive advice on office locations, contact numbers and other essential service information via mail and through the media in late November or early December 2013.

17. Do I need to take any action to claim my pensioner rebate from Livingstone Shire Council?

No – if you have already claimed your pensioner rebate with Rockhampton Regional Council, eligibility will transfer over.

18. What will be the operating hours at Yeppoon Town Hall after 1 January 2014?

The Transfer Manager, Graeme Kanofski has advised that residents and ratepayers will receive advice on essential service information via mail and through the media of in late November or early December 2013.

19. Will citizenship ceremonies be conducted by Livingstone Shire Council?

These ceremonies will be conducted by the newly elected Mayor after 1 January 2014.

20. Will Livingstone Shire Council have bulk water standpipes for hire from Cordingley Street?

To be advised.

21. Are the greenwaste vouchers issued with September rates notices transferable to Livingstone Shire Council after 1 January 2014?

Ratepayers have received three vouchers which are valid until 31 December 2013. After that each Council will then decide whether vouchers will continue to be issued.

22. Will my arrangement with CQ Home Assist continue after 1 January 2014?

Yes - nothing will change.

23. If I have lodged an application with Rockhampton Regional Council (plumbing, development, building) and it is still active – will it transfer over?

Yes

24. If I have lodged an application with Rockhampton Regional Council (plumbing, development, building) and it is complete – will it transfer over?

Yes

25. I am a Food Business Licence holder – do I need a new licence to display after 1 January 2014?

Not until renewal.

26. Where do I send my library books and can I still borrow from Rockhampton Regional Library?

The continuing Rockhampton Regional Council has determined that there will be no shared library services from 1 January 2014. Separate membership will be required for library services in both local government areas. Membership conditions are yet to be determined.

27. When is the Yeppoon Pound due to re-open?

Pound arrangements are currently under investigation.

28. Will there be a duty planner service offered by Livingstone Shire Council after 1 January 2014?

Yes

29. How many ratepayers are there in Livingstone Shire Council area to cover the $10 million debt?

According to the Local Government Act 2009, rates are levied against a property not against the owner(s). Therefore, rates income for Livingstone Shire Council will be based on the number of rateable properties in the Shire as opposed to the number of residents.

It is expected that there will be around 16,450 rateable properties in the Livingstone Shire area, although there could be a slight variation to this. It has no bearing on rates income raised, but it is also anticipated that the Livingstone Shire area will have a population of around 33,000.

The repayment of debt is made from a variety of income sources, not just rates income. For example, Council's investment portfolio generates interest income that can be used to retire debt, as can income from contracting work for various government departments e.g. Transport and Main Roads. The cash raised from all of these sources, as well as cash from rates received can be used to repay debt.

30. Are bin collections days likely to change after 1 January 2014?

The Transfer Manager, Graeme Kanofski has advised that residents and ratepayers will receive advice on essential service information via mail and through the media in late November or early December 2013.

31. Will the water bill cycles change?

Details will be announced when this has been determined.

32. Will anything change for regular users of Yeppoon and Emu Park halls?

Nothing will change.

33. I live in Yeppoon and own a property in Rockhampton - I know I have arrears and I pay $100.00 per fortnight – can I still pay those RRC rates at Livingstone Customer Service after 1 January 2014?

No you will have to contact Rockhampton Regional Council to make payment.