MAYOR Jan McWilliams says amalgamating with other councils would be “disastrous” for the Great Lakes given our council’s financial sustainability.
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Cr McWilliams, along with acting general manager Lisa Schiff and councillors Karen Hutchinson, Leigh Vaughan, Len Roberts and Carol McCaskie travelled to Coffs Harbour last week for the Local Government NSW Conference with the main topic being the government’s Fit For the Future package.
Cr McWilliams said the conference was a good opportunity to discuss potential amalgamations but believes our council shouldn’t have to, given its good financial position.
“As a council we are financially and environmentally sustainable. For us to merge with other councils that aren’t holding their own would be disastrous,” she said.
“We are in a good position and I am confident that this council is fit for the future.
“However, we are willing to discuss amalgamations with Taree, Gloucester and possibly Port Stephens councils.”
NSW Premier Mike Baird called on councils at the conference to put their “pride into the back seat” and consider merging with their neighbouring councils as part of the NSW government’s $258 million dollar amalgamation incentive.
The majority of motions discussed at the conference focused on state and federal funding issues with the big topic the Fit for the Future reform package.
LGNSW president and Coffs Harbour councillor Keith Rhoades said councils should consider their options and assess whether they had the “capacity to stand alone”.
Office of Local Government acting CEO Steve Orr told councillors opposed to amalgamation that new templates and support material would be provided before the end of the month.
Other motions voted on were rating exemptions for state-owned businesses, utility privatisation, the decentralisation policy and having planning powers returned to local government with the Local Environmental Planning Policy reviews.
In response to the reports of councillors snoozing at the conference, Cr McWilliams said she believes the media coverage was not warranted.
“I was very very angry about that coverage,” she said.
“To me, it’s just council bashing.”
The government has asked each council to look at its current situation and submit a proposal on how it intends to become ‘Fit for the Future’ by June 30 2015.
The submissions will then be assessed by an independent panel.
