Campbelltown Mayor Jill Whittaker says the council was excluded from ‘disappointing’ boundary reform survey by Adelaide Hills
Campbelltown Council has hit back at its Adelaide Hills neighbour, with the mayor saying it was excluded from an important survey on contentious boundary reforms.
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Campbelltown Mayor Jill Whittaker says the council was not invited by Adelaide Hills to take part in a “disappointing” survey of residents who could be affected by a proposed boundary change.
It comes after Adelaide Hills Council demanded Campbelltown publicly declare where it stands on the controversial boundary reforms, which could see the latter take on parts of Woodforde and Rostrevor – worth $1.16 million in rate revenue.
Campbelltown had been relatively tight-lipped until now over a formal request by its eastern neighbour in June to withdraw plans to lodge a stage two application with the state’s Boundaries Commission.
Adelaide Hills conducted a survey in November last year of residents in three affected suburbs, which showed 60 per cent were against the move.
However, Ms Whittaker said Campbelltown was not invited to contribute to the survey content or share costs, a new council report revealed.
She said it followed an Adelaide Hills motion last September which proposed Campbelltown be approached “in the spirit of co-operation”.
“Both the CEOs and a senior staff member of both councils met where (Campbelltown) requested that the two councils work together on both public meetings and surveys to minimise the impact and cost to ratepayers and there was a verbal agreement at this time,” Ms Whittaker.
Ms Whittaker would not be drawn if she was disappointed, but admitted the survey would lead to some “duplication and additional costs”.
“Campbelltown wants to do it properly, we will consult ourselves,” Ms Whittaker said.
Ms Whittaker said the survey had a “disappointing” emphasis on planning laws which may have “confused” residents.
“The benefit of undertaking the survey jointly would have been that both councils could have presented a consolidated and informative document for residents that also included things such as our common community of interests,” she said.
Ms Whittaker supports the reforms as council offices and a library on Montacute Road were “mere minutes away” from those suburbs.
She said many residents from the area regularly visit its services but they “cannot shape the future of the facilities”.
“Nor can they meaningfully participate in important local community decisions,” she said.
However, Adelaide Hills acting mayor Nathan Daniell said the council never moved or passed a motion stating they would approach Campbelltown to share in the costs of the survey.
“Our survey had no strong emphasis on planning,” Mr Daniell said.
“It was balanced and clear with the comparative planning elements of the survey being factual and unambiguous.
“Adelaide Hills Council remains committed to listening to our community and representing their views, which is why we have requested Campbelltown City Council withdraw their proposal.”
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