The Gladstone Regional Council has gone into caretaker mode ahead of the 16 March local government elections.
The move took effect on Monday, 29 January, and ensure there are no significant policy decisions made near the end of a council term that bind future elected councils.
According to a State Government fact sheet, during the caretaker period councillors are prohibited from making decisions:
# about the appointment, renumeration or termination of a chief executive officer;
# to enter into a contract greater than $200,000 or one per cent (whichever is greater) of the local government’s net rate and utility charges;
# significant procurement activities such as establishing preferred supplier arrangements;
# to make, amend or repeal local laws, and;
# to make, amend or repeal a local planning instrument under the Planning Act 2016.
If unforeseen circumstances necessitate a council making a major policy decision during the caretaker period, an application can be made to the Local Government if the decision is essential to the functioning of the council, is time-sensitive, or in the public interest.
During the caretaker period, legislation limits the publishing of election material. and local government reforms in 2019 to improve accountability and transparency ensues that council resources are not used to promote current councillors standing for re-election.
As such, a local government or controlled entity must not publish or distribute election material, which is anything that could influence an elector about their vote or affect the election result.
The Gladstone council has cancelled its March meeting, with the new elected councillors to gather in council chamber in April.
