LNP Queensland

Yesterday in Parliament the Minister for Local Government Warren Pitt labelled the former Douglas Shire as a "pocket of interest", and reconfirmed his intention to ignore the push by residents to reinstate an independent local government.

Mr Hobbs said this behaviour was typical of the Bligh Government, who had stopped listening to the concerns of Queenslanders.

"I can assure the residents of the Douglas Shire that the LNP is taking their concerns seriously," Mr Hobbs said.

"I have been bombarded with emails and phone calls from Douglas Shire residents who are angry because they have lost their local services when the amalgamation took place.

"The former Douglas Shire Council was in a strong financial position and did not need to be amalgamated.

"Now we have loss of services, loss of localised support and loss of community sense of identity – the amalgamation process has failed the residents of the previous Douglas Shire.

"I encourage the people of Port Douglas and Mossman to maintain the rage.

"I will be attending a public meeting in Port Douglas on Sunday 31^{st August at 1pm at the Rex Smeale Park and look forward to meeting with residents and ratepayers."}