The Electoral Commission notified the Cloncurry Shire Council due to a heavy workload they did not have the capacity to access electoral arrangement changes until after the next local election in 2020.

Cloncurry Shire Council councillor Dane Swalling has been a strong advocate for the change, and said it was very disappointing it could not be processed before the election.

"I think it is a joke, it should have happened 11 years ago," Cr Swalling said.

"Before the amalgamation we use to have nine councillors and it was cut back to four, but I believe we should have always had a mayor and six councillors and that is what we are trying to get through now.

"This change will help democracy, there is a broader cross section of representation for the shire and more people can get their views across.

"Cloncurry is different from other shires. It has a much more diverse community, there is mining, agriculture, business and government workers, making more representatives vital."

Council conducted a survey in April/May 2018 which asked locals if they supported increasing councillor numbers from Mayor and four councillors to mayor and six councillors.

The results highlighted the community's keen interest in increasing the amount of elected members with 85pc voting yes and 15pc no.

Members of the community were also invited to provide a comment around their decision. One member wrote, "Other Shires around the region have 5-6 councillors, why not Cloncurry. An extra two will counteract leave and availability for important decision making. Difference of opinions and priorities in community needs will have a greater representation"

Cr Swalling said the process had received overwhelming support from the community.

"Comparing Cloncurry to its neighbouring shires, we should have more councillors," he said

"Julia Creek has four councillors, Richmond has five, Hughenden has six, Normanton has six. They are all similar sizes or smaller shires that have the same or more councillors.

"I am still pushing to have it go through before the next election, I haven't given up yet!

"I am still trying to get it through before the local election next year and have been talking to our local member Robbie Katter."

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