As the final deadline for New South Wales council amalgamation submissions looms large, Mayor of Dubbo, Councillor Mathew Dickerson, has asked residents to consider the outcomes of mergers in other areas.
Cr Dickerson said the financial performance of councils that have previously undergone a merger should be examined closely.
“The performance of Councils that were previously amalgamated between 2000 and 2004 such as Mid-Western Regional Council; Warrumbungle Shire Council; Clarence Valley Council; Armidale Dumaresq Council; Cooma-Monaro Shire Council; Goulburn Mulwaree Council; and Yass Valley Council and their experience in meeting financial benchmarks should be taken into consideration.”
The councils listed were deemed financially “not fit” by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) report in October, which Cr Dickerson said is cause for concern.
“Such issues have been previously pointed out by the University of New England’s Centre for Local Government and should be considered by the delegate preparing the report into the proposed amalgamation between Dubbo and Wellington,” Cr Dickerson said.
Delegate Dr Ian Tilley is currently preparing the report into the potential outcomes of the proposed merger between Dubbo City Council and Wellington Council, which includes an examination of community feedback on the issue.
“To help reiterate what the prevailing community sentiment is towards amalgamations Council is asking the community if they support the amalgamation or not via and online poll,” Councillor Dickerson said.
“The poll asks the simple question: Do you support the immediate amalgamation of Dubbo and Wellington Council – Yes or No.”
Final submissions to the Council Boundary Review for all councils facing amalgamations are due on 28 February.
