The New South Wales Premier, Gladys Berejiklian announced yesterday regional council mergers still in dispute will not go ahead, however city mergers before the courts will run their course. None of the 20 already merged councils will be undone.
Local Government NSW President Keith Rhoades said the announcement was clearly a political compromise – and like most compromises, was likely to leave a great many people dissatisfied.
“The diametrically opposed positions staked out by National Party leader John Barilaro and Liberal Party backbenchers left the Premier in a very difficult position,” Councillor Rhoades said.
“People are asking why the Government has made a distinction between metropolitan and regional councils, and why the city councils don’t deserve the same treatment as their country cousins.
“The only people really able to answer that question are the Premier and the Minister for Local Government.
“Meanwhile, regional communities in areas like Cabonne and Oberon will be celebrating the news that their voice has finally been heard in Macquarie Street.
“Their tireless efforts to deliver an unequivocal message offered a very clear illustration that political support cannot be taken for granted.
“We’ve seen it in the Orange by-election too, and we know there are three more by-elections in the wings.”
Cr Rhoades said today’s compromise announcement failed to deliver certainty for any metropolitan communities opposed to forced amalgamation.
“I doubt that will satisfy communities such as Woollahra, Hunters Hill, Mosman and North Sydney – all traditional Liberal Party heartlands, and all strongholds of opposition to forced amalgamation with their neighbours.
“And for the sector as a whole, today’s decision will simply create further bitterness.
“But most importantly, it will delay progress on the real issues facing all councils – amalgamated or otherwise – financial sustainability, stronger governance and greater capability in local government.”
