Published 9:12a.m. 20th February 2008

| By Suzanne Keen

Updated 11:25a.m. 20th February 2008

Concerns about staff welfare have forced Caboolture Council to cancel its planned farewell party, says Mayor Joy Leishman.

Negative media coverage had led to the decision, she said.

“I am extremely disappointed that staff will miss out on an event to mark the passing of a council with a rich 128-year history.

“However, our staff had been made to feel that if they attended this function they would be dogged by media.

“These staff had foregone their usual Christmas party celebrations so that this event could be held. They have now lost out on both accounts.”

The council had endorsed the $40,000 function at its historic last meeting, with five of seven councillors backing the plans. The party was earlier reported to be costing $52,000, but a council spokeswoman said this included $12,000 allocated towards a corporate gift usually given to staff at Christmas which was forgone in 2007.

The celebrations for just under 1000 staff would have involved a spit roast, drinks and entertainment during an afternoon event at the Caboolture Showgrounds.

Ms Leishman said the planned party was “far from lavish” and had been designed to ease staff anxiety about amalgamation by allowing them to congregate, reflect on the past and consider the future.

“Amalgamation of three councils with three separate ways of doing things is so much more than a name badge change and it is an uncertain time for many staff,” she said.

“While staff have been guaranteed their jobs in the immediate future, there’s still anxiety about what those jobs will entail.”

Earlier today, Local Government Minister Warren Pitt criticised the planned party as “over the top”, unaware that the council had made the decision overnight to cancel it.

Mr Pitt said he could understand that many ratepayers would be greatly concerned to learn of the amount of money to be spent on the party, and would want to voice their protest.

“I can understand that there are councils in different parts of the state wanting to mark their coming to an end by holding some kind of function.

“But in this case, for the Caboolture Shire Council to be spending $52,000 is excessive.

“And in the context of an election campaign, it is even more questionable.

“I think a much more modest function to mark the occasion, preferably one involving the local community in some way, would have been more reasonable and appropriate.

“After all, no member of the council workforce is out of a job – their jobs are guaranteed. Everyone will turn up for work as usual the Monday after the elections.”

However, Mayor Leishman said the council believed the cost per head of its farewell function was comparable to, if not cheaper than, similar events being held in other councils.

“It was far from a lavish occasion. The spit roast worked out at about $12.30 a head.”

Ms Leishman said council was considered a financially responsible operator with an enviably strong financial status, and it had managed to make $2.8 million through interest accrued on investments in the December quarter alone.

“The amount set aside for this final farewell celebration is a tiny fraction of the amount our prudent financial management has managed to create for the enhancement of our community.”

Mr Pitt said ratepayers who felt that their local council had gone too far with planned spending on “goodbye” functions should contact their elected representatives to express their disapproval.

“I think ratepayers need to make their feelings known when it comes to this sort of spending of their money.”