David French | 28/03/2013 1:14:12 PM

This article was originally published as 'De-amalgamation' in http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/ on 21 February 2013. Image taken from http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/debate-may-determine-future-deamalgamation/1775058/

I returned to Rockhampton 12 years ago. Full of enthusiasm for the region, I met The Whisperer. An accomplished street fighter, he said "David, things round here will only change when some people die". About that time, a solicitor friend said "I don't know why you do all of these community things - they will use you, chew you up and spit you out". Regardless I joined the local Chamber of Commerce and Rockhampton Regional Development Limited (RRDL), eventually merging the two.

In the event, many people have died, but the region is still shackled by small minded politics and bureaucracy. I was chastised for bringing to public light endemic problems with RRDL, generally related to conflicted and unsustainable reliance on Council funding. The end result - no chamber, no RRDL, no mayor and no change. Behind the scenes, the same people with the same outdated and ill-informed ideas prevent the region's growth.

And now we have the brilliant scheme that is de-amalgamation. Queensland Treasury Corporation estimates de-amalgamation will result in rates increases for Capricorn Coast residents of $429 in the first year after the split and an additional $194 the year after that. Money is important and people should take note of those figures, but there are bigger things to consider.Large external investors (and they are typically the ones that get things moving) look at only two things - the size of the community, and its growth rate. The Capricorn Coast population is small, and Rockhampton is without growth.

We have John Rolfe, a respected academic economist, myself, a well trained and experienced business economist and manager, and Geoff Murphy, a hard-nosed and successful business person, all screaming that de-amalgamation is a very bad idea. It will deliver increased rates, eliminate any chance of getting our region back on the map, and reinstate to power the exact same people who already had a go.

The problem at hand is not so much an amalgamated council, but a REGIONAL council not stepping-up to a 21st Century leadership role. A major factor is the protection offered by a Ward System specifically designed to maintain the status quo.

Mayor Margaret once berated me for being too direct on some matter, insisting "you catch more flies with honey". I'm not that interested in flies and I think this matter is important. Let the Capricorn Coast be heard - abolish the Ward System.

The Investment Collective (AFSL 471728) is a non-aligned financial planning and investment firm specialising in providing tailored financial and investment advice for individuals and small business. Capricorn Investment Partners Limited's services include financial planning, share trading, portfolio management, insurance broking and self managed super fund administration. Additional information on services provided by The Investment Collective Limited can be found by following this link. Readers are reminded that this document has been prepared for general information purposes only, and any advice contained herein has been prepared without taking into account your financial objectives, situation or needs. Readers are advised to see their financial advisor prior to acting on any general advice.

More articles about business, economics.