Coastal councils join merger melting pot

A spokesperson for the minister of Local Government Paul Toole confirmed that council’s formal proposal through the Local Government Act has been referred to the Chief Executive of the Office of Local Government. She said when councils submit their own legal proposals through the Act it triggers an automatic referral to the Chief Executive.

“We were always aware we could put in an alternative proposal,” council’s general manager Danny Green said.

“But council’s position has been it would prefer to stand alone.”

While that position hasn’t changed, Section 218E only deals with mergers and provides the only formal avenue for council to seek an alternative to the government’s proposed merger with Dungog.

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Mr Green said he has been keeping both Taree and Great Lakes councils informed of Gloucester’s position.

Council’s proposal is entirely separate to the recent submission made by Council to the government’s merger delegate Ian Tiley, who is currently assessing the NSW Government’s proposal to amalgamate Gloucester and Dungog. Both councils were declared ‘unfit for the future’ by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal late last year.

As a result of Gloucester Shire Council’s application, the government has also referred “a consequential proposal for a merger of Dungog and Maitland councils for examination and report.”

“The community has taken the opportunity to have its say on the proposals the government has already put forward. We are listening to those community views, so it’s appropriate these alternative proposals are considered in the same way,” minister Paul Toole said.

Gloucester’s submission however stipulates that it “cannot appropriately advise its community without a detailed analysis and full modelling of any proposed merger.”

“Gloucester Council’s position is to stand alone until a detailed model is developed. Council is prepared to merge if a detailed business case can be provided that demonstrates valid reasons for doing so,” it said.

“The Government has always said that no final decision has been made during this open and transparent process. This clearly shows the government is listening to alternatives,” minister Toole said.

The Office for Local Government has not yet responded to the request for a detailed independent analysis, but said the community consultation which has already taken place concerning Dungog and Gloucester still stands and gives the delegate another option to consider along with another public enquiry into the alternative proposals. It said the plan for Gloucester and Dungog to merge has not been dismissed.

The reports of the delegates will be submitted to the Minister and the Boundaries Commission, which will make comments for the Minister’s consideration.