Lake Macquarie City Council has endorsed a submission, on behalf of the Lake Macquarie community, to respond to the State Government’s reform of local government in NSW, known as the Fit for the Future program.
Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Jodie Harrison, said residents and businesses across the City have played an active voice in the local government reform discussions over the past three years, with official survey results, backed up by regular community engagement, indicating that 87 percent of residents want Lake Macquarie City to stand alone and not merge with Newcastle City Council.
“Lake Macquarie City Council opposes recommendations to amalgamate with Newcastle City Council because it is not in the best interest of residents in either city, and because it is better for the region to have two large ‘fit’ independent organisations.”
Lake Macquarie City Council stated that it is performing strongly and is well placed to provide good-quality daily services to its 202,000 residents.
As Council has stated in previous submissions on the issue, it strongly believes it meets the requirements for a sustainable and efficient council.
“Council is committed to undergoing the Council Improvement Program that is available as part of Fit for the Future, which will ensure that Lake Macquarie City Council further strengthens moving forward,” said Mayor Harrison.
“This only confirms our confident position to remain as a stand-alone council.”
A copy of Council’s submission is available online and will be submitted by the June 30 deadline.
Council is also preparing a response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Fit for the Future being undertaken by the NSW Legislative Council.
