GREAT Lakes Council has been successful in its application to become part of the Joint Organisation of Hunter Councils.
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The move is part of a $5 million dollar funding pool which has been allocated to form 15 ‘joint organisations’ across NSW as part of the State Government’s Fit for the Future local government reforms.
Joint Organisations are designed to share services and collaborate on infrastructure projects.
Minister for Local Government Paul Toole recently announced that the Hunter is one of five successful Joint Organisation pilots to be rolled out across the state.
He said the selected pilot regions include a diverse mix of councils which have demonstrated a strong history of effective collaboration.
Great Lakes mayor Jan McWilliams has hit back at Taree City Council mayor Paul Hogan after he issued a media release criticising Great Lakes Council for its request to join the Hunter.
“It really hit me like a ton of bricks,” Cr Williams said of Mr Hogan’s statements.
“I don’t want to get into a slinging match with the Taree mayor but I can’t believe he had the audacity to say what he did. To be honest, I can’t understand what all the fuss is about.”
Cr Williams said the changes were strategic given council’s sound financial position and pointed out council’s association with the Hunter Organisation of Councils (HROC) and its resignation from the Mid North Coast Regional Organisation of Councils (MIDROC) 12 months ago.
She said a Joint Organisation of the Hunter would therefore be an extension of what already happens in HROC.
“We have been tied up with the Hunter for 22 years. Hunter councils are financially sound so it makes sense for us to join them. We are basically going back to where we were,” she said.
“At the end of the day the Great Lakes is the most important thing on my agenda. This decision is within the best interests of our residents. We want to look after our patch.”
Council is yet to be notified of when the first meeting of the Joint Organisation will take place.
The changes will be discussed at upcoming council meetings across the region.
Public meetings to provide insight
MEMBERS of the public are invited to attend upcoming Great Lakes Council meetings to get an insight into local government issues.
“This is a great opportunity for all residents to come along and learn more about council's activities and what is happening in their local area,” council's general manager Glenn Handford said.
“Council has recently received the results of a community satisfaction survey which focussed on council's asset management planning.
“These results and the impact on Council's long term financial position will be discussed at the community meetings.”
Mayor Jan McWilliams said council is also focussing on the NSW State Government's Fit for the Future initiative and how to continue to best serve its community.
“I encourage you to take this opportunity to learn about what your council is doing and ask questions of councillors and senior management.”
Meetings will be held at several locations. They include Stroud (School of Arts Hall) today (Wednesday November 19) at 6pm, tomorrow at Forster (Council Chambers) (Thursday November 20 at 10am) and at the Bulahdelah (School of Arts Hall) on Wednesday November 26 at 6pm.