Member for Barker Tony Pasin and DC Grant Mayor Richard Sage slam council merger debate

A number of South East politicians have slammed Premier Peter Malinauskas for his ‘ham fisted’ attempt at local government reform and merging the region’s two councils.

A federal MP and a regional mayor from the South East have weighed into the council merger debate, slamming Premier Peter Malinauskas over a lack of consultation before sparking the issue.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the premier was making the same mistake he made 25 years ago when he served on the Mount Gambier Council.

Mr Pasin said the South East was “sick and tired of being treated like guinea pigs by people living in Adelaide”.

Though he is a strong advocate for smaller governments and would support merging the Mount Gambier Council and District Council of Grant, Mr Pasin said the lack of consultation was disrespectful.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin has blasted Premier Peter Malinauskas for his ‘ham fisted’ attempts at local government reform. Picture: Supplied

“Almost 20 years ago I proposed that we undertake a community consultation vote of people in the District Council of Grant and the City of Mount Gambier,” he said.

“That ham fisted attempt — set the cause of local government reform in the South East back — and this is a similarly ham fisted attempt which is destined to fail.”

On Tuesday Mr Malinauskas introduced a plebiscite bill to parliament to asking South East voters at next month’s local government elections if they would support a merger of Mount Gambier Council with the surrounding District Council of Grant.

Geoff Brock, Premier Peter Malinauskas and Attorney-General Kyam Maher at the Royal Show. Picture: Brenton Edwards

Mr Malinauskas acknowledged amalgamations were always controversial but insisted he would “have the courage to ask the question”.

If electors of the two councils voted in favour, the Local Government Boundaries Commission would start community consultation, while the SA Productivity Commission would assess economic benefits of a merged council.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, independent member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell said “there was nothing to fear” from exploring whether the two councils should be merged.

“This is really just a question to the community to see if they want to progress it,” Mr Bell said.

DC Grant Mayor Richard Sage. Picture: Supplied

Current Grant council Mayor Richard Sage was firmly against the merger and failed to see how it would benefit current ratepayers.

“We definitely don't want to take on the debt they’ve got for their new hub,” he said.

“The other important thing to remember is that the city council borrowed equal to 100 per cent of their rate revenue on one project, which doesn't leave them a lot in future for other works.

Mr Sage is hoping to be re-elected to his seat as mayor in the upcoming local government elections, despite the turmoil he has faced in the council chambers.

Locla Government Association chief executive Clinton Jury said it would work with key stakeholders regarding the plebiscite.

“The LGA’s position on forced amalgamation is clear – we do not support it. Any move towards amalgamation must be community-driven and supported by both affected councils,” he said.

“We know through the experience of interstate councils that forced amalgamations without community support can lead to costly de-amalgamation processes and leave communities far worse off.”

A Mount Gambier council spokesman said council would engage constructively throughout the process.

“The City of Mount Gambier is of the understanding that the plebiscite is only the first step,” a spokesman said.

“Council is awaiting further information on the processes to be followed throughout the ballot process.”