According to Leichhardt Council, the New South Wales State Government has released data suggesting that bigger isn’t better for local governments.
The ‘Your Council’ report released in June shows that Leichhardt Council is the third most financially sustainable council in Sydney, whilst the largest councils are struggling.
Deputy Mayor of Leichhardt, Councillor Daniel Kogoy, said that Leichhardt would continue to fight to remain a standalone council in the face of amalgamations following the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future reforms.
“I urge residents to show their support and comment on Council’s IPART submission.
“The ‘Your Council’ ranking comes from the operating performance ratio, which the NSW Treasury Corporation regards as a core measure of financial sustainability.
“Leichhardt ranks third of all of the 41 Sydney councils.
“In contrast, the five biggest Sydney councils all rank at the bottom.”
The inner west council merger of Leichhardt, Ashfield, Burwood, Canada Bay, Marrickville and Strathfield would result in a population of 342,000, and IPART has indicated that it will be ‘guided’ by the scale and capacity recommendations of the report.
“Sydney’s biggest council, Blacktown, has a population of 325,000, and it ranks as 35th of all the metro councils,” said Cr Kogoy.
“The State Government is pushing an inner west council of 342,000 and a bigger is better agenda, but their own data shows that this is a complete fabrication.”
The Your Council report shows the five biggest Sydney councils at the bottom of the list: Blacktown at 35th, Sutherland at 27th, Fairfield 30th, Bankstown 33rd and Liverpool 34th.
“IPART must not buy into the bigger is better myth,” said Cr Kogoy.
“It has to remain open to other reform initiatives such as regional and sub-regional resource sharing/strategic alliances and sector-wide coordination.”
Nearly 1400 residents filled out Leichhardt Council’s Fit for the Future survey, either online or via hard copy.
Of those, 72 percent want Leichhardt to remain a standalone council.
A further 55 percent, contacted through a random telephone survey, also opted for Council to remain independent.
“It has been a long fight, but we cannot waver now,” said Cr Kogoy.
“Our residents need to contact IPART and let them know that Council has their confidence and support.”
