Now is the time to give feedback on the Gemfields name-change
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Posted on October 17, 2019
People living in the Gemfields area are invited to make a submission to the Department of Natural Resources Mines and Energy about a proposed name change to the locality.
The proposal suggests creating three new localities of Anakie Siding, Sapphire Central and Rubyvale and discontinuing the name of The Gemfields, and minor alterations to the localities of Argyll, Emerald, Gindie, Lochington and Minerva.
Mayor Kerry Hayes said, if successful, the proposal would help solve long-standing addressing issues in the area and encouraged people to make submissions prior to the deadline on 13 December.
‘Council has advocated on behalf of community members for this change to be considered by the Queensland Government and assisted with getting this project off the ground,’ Mayor Hayes said.
‘At recent community consultations in the area it became apparent that addressing issues remain a critical pain point for people living in The Gemfields, emergency services and tourists.
‘Now there is an opportunity to improve the situation and I encourage people to take the time and make a submission.’
The proposal also involves minor changes to the localities of Argyll, Emerald, Gindie, Lochington and Minerva and submissions from people in those areas are likewise encouraged.
Central Highlands Regional Council commenced The Gemfields – Bounded locality project in 2018 as a response to a petition from community members. People voiced concerns around confusion with addressing in the provision of essential services and loss of historical connections.
The Queensland Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy is responsible for locality changes and has advertised the proposed plan for public comment up to the 13 December 2019.
Comments can be made online only here.
For more information about the Gemfields bounded localities project click here.