What is the Webbe-Weller review?
In March 2008, the Queensland Government announced an independent review of government boards, committees and statutory authorities as part of a major public sector program.
The aim of the review was to reduce bureaucracy and unnecessary red tape, improve the overall efficiency of government bodies and maintain the integrity and security of necessary regulatory functions.
The review was undertaken by Ms Simone Webbe and Professor Patrick Weller (AO) and is referred to as the Webbe-Weller review.
The review of 459 government bodies was conducted in two parts:
- Part A considered the current framework of government bodies and recommended a governance decision-making model for improving the relevance, efficiency and effectiveness of the roles and functions that government bodies perform.
- Part B finalised the governance decision-making framework and recommended a process for establishing any future government bodies.
The review made recommendations on which government bodies could be abolished, kept or changed. The Part B report was presented to the Premier and publicly released on 31 March 2009.
After considering the contents of the Part B report, the Queensland Government accepted 177 of the 210 recommendations.
Two of the recommendations were:
- River improvement trusts: River improvement trusts should be abolished and their functions transferred or incorporated into local governments, along with all responsibilities and powers to undertake their activities
- Category 2 water authorities: The Category 2 water authorities (water authorities) should be abolished and their responsibilities transferred to local governments, which should have the flexibility to determine between delivering local water services themselves, delegating them to local boards or using alternative (non-government) institutional arrangements, such as establishing local cooperatives or incorporated associations.
Target dates for implementing the new institutional arrangements are:
- River improvement trusts transferring to local government by 30 June 2012
- water authorities transferring to either local government or alternative non-government structures by 30 June 2013.
Further information
Find out more about the effects of the Webbe-Weller review on:
More information about the Webbe-Weller review and the Queensland Government's response can be found on the Department of the Premier and Cabinet website.
Last updated 25 February 2011