Scenic Rim Region

The Scenic Rim Region is a Local Government Area located in West Moreton region of South East Queensland, Australia. Established in 2008, it was preceded by several previous local government areas with histories extending back to the early 1900s and beyond.

It has an estimated operating budget of A$33 million.

History

The Scenic Rim Region was previously parts of several local government areas: the Shire of Boonah, the southern rural part of the Shire of Beaudesert, and Harrisville and Peak Crossing from the City of Ipswich.

In July 2007, the Local Government Reform Commission released its report and recommended that the areas amalgamate. It identified a rural community of interest as well as ecotourism potential from the Scenic Rim, a group of mountain ranges forming part of the Great Dividing Range, and recommended the transfer of the entire urban growth corridor previously within Beaudesert to Logan City. Along with Lockyer Valley and Somerset, it was expected to provide a rural hinterland for urban South East Queensland. The arrangement was Boonah's second preference (its first was simply absorbing the rural areas of Ipswich) while Beaudesert opposed splitting or amalgamation.^[3]

The legislation passed to effect the merger on 10 August 2007. A Local Transition Committee made up of staff and councillors of the dissolving entities was formed to manage the process. On 15 March 2008, the Shires formally ceased to exist, and elections were held on the same day to elect councillors and a mayor to the Regional Council.

Wards

The council is split into 6 divisions, each returning one councillor, plus a mayor.

Towns and localities

Population

The populations given relate to the component entities prior to 2008. The next census, due in 2011, will be the first for the new Region.

References