Dear LG Focus,
The NSW Independent Pricing and Remuneration Tribunal (IPART) is currently assessing whether councils are ‘Fit for the Future’ – financially sustainable, and efficiently and effectively managing infrastructure and services.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that this whole expensive and time-consuming process is actually just a ‘stitch-up’ that is setting Councils up for failure if they try to show they are better off not amalgamating.
The State Government is not conducting a fair and balanced examination into real and lasting local government reform. Rather, they are planning to force amalgamations no matter what evidence is presented to them by councils or voters.
They have already commenced an expensive advertising campaign to push their point of view – that drastically reducing the number of councils in NSW, and introducing ‘Super Councils’, will somehow benefit residents.
But other than repeating a mantra of ‘Bigger is Better’, the state government has yet to present even one shred of evidence that we will be better off post-forced amalgamations.
How can the State Government even pretend that they are carrying out a fair, unbiased, and impartial assessment of NSW councils ‘fitness’?
It’s obvious the State Government is determined to crush grassroots democracy by sacking councils and appointing administrators, while at the same time indulging in expensive propaganda to try and sell a highly unpalatable policy to a sceptical public.
Marrickville Council is supportive of local government reform, but we remain implacably opposed to forced amalgamations. Every merger option that was investigated by Marrickville would leave Council and our residents financially worse off.
Kind regards,
Councillor Mark Gardiner
Mayor of Marrickville Council
Dear LG Focus,
The reason Local Government is in this position is because too many councils, along with LGNSW, have taken a ‘head in the sand’ approach and demonstrated a resistance to change.
A large number of Sydney Councils and Local Government NSW have no one but themselves to blame if any future proposals to fast-track amalgamations arise.
No change is not an option for Local Government. Reform is necessary to ensure Sydney grows as a global city. It can’t be ignored on the hope that it goes away.
Comments such as those from Leichhardt Labor Left Councillor Darcy Byrne are unhelpful and typify the silliness of those looking to score a headline but not willing to change.
The Hills Shire Council has unanimously voted on a number of occasions to support change and I fully understand the frustrations of the State Government with Councils that don’t wish to change or reform.
I call on Mayors and Councillors across Sydney – and particularly LGNSW – to positively engage in meaningful debate about reform or face the prospect of losing control of their own destiny.
Kind regards,
Councillor Andrew Jefferies,
The Hills Shire
Dear LG Focus,
Ashfield Council is calling on Local Government Minister Paul Toole to abandon and publicly reject forced amalgamations.
On behalf of our community, and in the interests of the future of local government, I ask Minister Toole not to take any action before IPART presents their considered recommendations.
Decisions made before this process has been formally completed are undemocratic and unfounded.
Kind regards,
Councillor Lucille McKenna
Mayor of Ashfield
