Amalgamation made easy could be the slogan for South Australia’s new City of Charles Sturt. Bringing together the two former Cities of Hindmarsh Woodville and Henley and Grange, Charles Sturt came into being on New Years Day.
The experience of the prior merger between Hindmarsh and Woodville Councils in 1993 greatly assisted this most recent amalgamation. Practical considerations were well in hand before the new City’s launch, including signage, organisational structure and financial management.
Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Whitbread, is enthusiastic about the new City’s diversity and scope for development.
“Whether it is our multicultural community, wide ranging business sector, extensive coastline and vast area, an array of sporting facilities or our easy access to Adelaide’s CBD, the new City offers both its residents and the wider community an outstanding environment in which to live, work or play,” he said.
Geoff Whitbread added that both staff and elected members would not rest on their laurels but strive to continuously improve Council’s work practices and levels of service.
Central to the new City’s practices will be the neighbourhood planning processes developed by the former Hindmarsh Woodville Council. These aim to maximise community input in all Council’s planning processes.
Administrative change was smooth with former Hindmarsh Woodville Chief Executive taking on the new CEO role, with former Henley and Grange Chief Executive Mike Nolan becoming Deputy CEO. Former Mayor of Hindmarsh Woodville John Dyer is the new Mayor while Henley and Grange’s Mayor, Harold Anderson, is Deputy Mayor until elections are held in May.
The City has a population of 104,000 people and an annual budget of more than $50 million. The amalgamation is expected to bring annual savings of over $1 million.
For further information contact Geoff Whitbread, telephone (08) 8408 1100.
