Thirteen months ago, Premiers Carr and Bracks made the announcement that the Cities of Albury and Wodonga would be merged into the one City. Coinciding with celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the separation of Victoria from New South Wales, some saw this move as long overdue. Strategically located midway between Sydney and Melbourne, Albury Wodonga is undoubtedly one of Australia’s more prosperous regional centres and has the potential to build on this as the one Local Government body. Possibly relying on recent history, where the Kennett Government’s forced amalgamations have to date resulted in only one concerted effort to undo a merger (Delatite – Benalla and Mansfield), the Premiers made their announcement without consulting either Council or their local communities.
A community consultation process, put in place after the announcement was made, has recently concluded. The final report, now in the hands of the two Premiers, has not been shown to either Council. A consultation process designed to try to sell a concept once it has been announced is a difficult call, and not likely to win over too many converts.
Briefed just one hour prior to the Premiers’ announcement of the merger, both Albury and Wodonga Councils agreed to discuss the feasibility of joining forces but, at the same time, have called for the issue to be decided by each community via a referendum. However, the two State Governments do not see this as essential.
There are mixed views in the Albury community, with the business sector in strong support, while there is ambivalence in other sectors. Although it is widely recognised that both Councils are doing quite well in their own right, if amalgamation does occur, it is likely Albury people will get behind it and make it work.
Across the Murray River in Wodonga, support for a merger is low. Random telephone surveys conducted by Wodonga City have put resident support for amalgamation at 12 per cent and around 24 per cent among the business community. Council has clearly stated its position that, without majority community approval, it will not support a merger at this time.
On 11 May, the City of Albury conducted a poll of its residents. Voting was not compulsory. At the time of going to press the Poll had not yet occurred.
Wodonga City Council has recently written to all Victorian Mayors requesting they write to both the Premier and Minister for Local Government who, over the past 12 months, have refused all invitations by the Council to discuss the issue. This is surprising given the fact that the Victorian Government faces a more difficult time than New South Wales in having the necessary legislation passed.
Support from the three independents required by the Bracks Government for the Bill to pass in the Lower House is not likely to be forthcoming without local support through a referendum. If the Government can get past this hurdle, similar problems may be encountered with the Opposition controlled Upper House.
Forcing communities together without local support is a recipe for disaster. Leaving the Council out of the equation is a further affront to the local community, not to mention the undermining of democracy, lack of open government and any semblance of working in partnership with Local Government.
Given the flawed process, on this occasion the merger proposal deserves to fail.
