The newly installed Berejiklian Government could choose to drop pending council amalgamations and undo those that have already gone ahead across New South Wales.
It is understood the government is in discussions to allow residents of already merged councils a vote on whether to de-amalgamate and to allow councils that are challenging mergers in court to stand alone.
Deputy Premier and New South Wales Nationals leader John Barilaro has recently been vocal against amalgamations. The Nationals faced a significant backlash in the by-election in Orange in November, partly due to the threat of council amalgamation in the area.
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) President, Councillor Keith Rhoades, said the reports are welcome news for the local government sector.
“LGNSW has spent a lot of today in meetings with Deputy Premier John Barilaro and the newly installed Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton,” Cr Rhoades said yesterday.
“It would be inappropriate to reveal the content of those discussions, but I can certainly say they were both constructive and productive.
“I have said all along that I was confident the Berejiklian/Barilaro Government and the new Local Government Minister would listen to the people, and these reports appear to confirm that confidence.”
Cr Rhoades said the timing of the plebiscites for merged councils is an important consideration.
“I would urge the Government to undertake these plebiscites this coming September when the residents and ratepayers of amalgamated councils go to the polls in local government elections,” Cr Rhoades said, “and indeed to send all councils who missed out on elections last year to the polls at the same time.”
“It saves ratepayers money and it ensures that local democracy will truly be returned as quickly as possible.”
