Jobs secure despite debt | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast
Jobs secure despite debt
A MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR debt is not undermining job security at the Fraser Coast Regional Council – nor will it this time next year.
Chief executive officer Andrew Brien yesterday dismissed suggestions that a three-year jobs moratorium had been an overbearing financial burden on the council.
The moratorium, which guaranteed existing council jobs for at least three years, was put in place by the State Government as part of amalgamation which started in March 2008.
“After March next year when the moratorium is removed I do not see that there will be any need for major changes to the workplace,” Mr Brien said.
The CEO played down reports that wage blowouts in councils across the state had led to mounting debts, insisting that employment at the council had been strategically managed since the old Hervey Bay, Maryborough, Woocoo and Tiaro councils were pulled together.
The Fraser Coast council inherited a $96.7m debt, including a $49.7 debt from Wide Bay Water.
Mr Brien said the Fraser Coast council had looked at staff reductions through the removal of vacant positions and natural attrition.
“While this strategy has been criticised by some it will ensure that the current workforce can feel secure in their positions.
“Every time that a position becomes vacant a comprehensive review is undertaken to ensure the position needs to be replaced or if the vacant position can be absorbed into the organisational structure.”
Mr Brien said the council’s debt levels were monitored through its long-term financial planning process and were projected to be retained within acceptable parameters.
“While the level of debt appears large, the council’s ability to service the debt is relative to its asset and revenue base.”
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Posted by Sadman from Hervey Bay, Queensland
12 March 2010 7:07 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
It would be interesting to know what each of the old councils contribution to the $97 million was? But I doubt we will ever be told.
How do we reduce tgis debt? Well in my view there are only four ways.
Sell off assets; I would be strongly opposed to this solution.
Improve effeciency; certainly let's do it. However this would only produce small savings.
Cut services; most ratepayers would, in my view, oppose such action.
Raise rates; Yes, this most happen and let's raise them to meet the real costs involved.
Posted by Astigmacouncil from Urangan, Queensland
12 March 2010 4:35 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
Hmmm, multi-million dollar debt eh? That's what you get for letting councillors choose their own salary (remember that?) and for all those flash Pajero's driving around with back seat DVD's in them (remember that also?).
FCCC has only had one thing in mind about the Fraser Coast.......................itself!
We now hear that; "It's a good thing for tourism in Hervey Bay that Kingfisher Resort is up for sale". How the hell do they work that one out?
Time for elections me think!
Posted by onthemoney from Booral, Queensland
12 March 2010 8:38 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
yeh i have to agree with Astigmacouncil to many p---gs with their snouts in the money trough. Flash cars dinner parties on the council tab and pay packets that are outragouse. Im just a battler and i would love to know if any of them understand what doing it tuff is all about. i have water running through my yard every time it rains and when i ask for help all i get told is there is no funds to do anything about it. councillors are put there to represent us the rate payers not there bank accounts thank god not all of them wanted a rise or we would have no one to vote for next time.
Posted by Sadman from Hervey Bay, Queensland
13 March 2010 9:11 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
Onthemoney,
If you elect people on the basis of did they vote for a pay rise or not !! You know little about council, the decision had been made before they got into the council chamber. You can vote against anything, if you know every one else is going to vote for it.
That is why they got their pay rise anyway.
Posted by CrDavid from Hervey Bay, Queensland
15 March 2010 10:22 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
Good point Sadman but if you understood democracy you would agree all of them have the right to vote the way they want and if more than 50% voted it down then none of them would have got it. So more for them and less for us is what you want. So I guess you will be happy to see our rates go up again after all you support the pay rise. Sadman I want better service levels not fatter councillors buy the way what did those who voted againsed it do with it or didnt you read that.