New snag for east’s ‘super council’

WOOLLAHRA Council will appeal last week’s landmark amalgamations court ruling — frustrating the Baird government’s plans to create an eastern suburbs “super council”.

Woollahra Mayor Toni Zeltzer pictured at the Woollahra Council offices.

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WOOLLAHRA Council will appeal last week’s landmark amalgamations court ruling — frustrating the Baird government’s plans to create an eastern suburbs “super council” and potentially increasing a massive legal bill for its ratepayers.

Woollahra Council wants to remain independent rather than merge with neighbouring Waverley and Randwick councils — despite the Baird government’s claims that it would save ratepayers $149 million over 20 years.

Land and Environment Court chief judge Brian Preston dismissed Woollahra’s challenge to the merger last week — leaving local ratepayers liable for an estimated $1 million legal bill.

Councillors voted to appeal Judge Preston’s ruling last night and could appear in court next Monday to request an appeal hearing date. The development means local ratepayers face an even bigger bill if the appeal fails.

Woollahra expects the matter to be heard in the Court of Appeal by three Supreme Court judges.

“The decision to appeal was made on the same basis as our original legal challenge,” said Woollahra Mayor Toni Zeltzer.

“This is just a further way of demonstrating how serious we are about protecting the democratic rights of our community and serving their best interests.

“With such strong community opposition to forced amalgamation our community deserves to have a say in its future and we believe the community were not given a fair go during the State Government’s Public Inquiry,”

The Daily Telegraph understands the council’s lawyers have already filed a preliminary notice, at a cost of $7000, outlining its intention to challenge the ruling — and believe there are grounds for an appeal.

The case also has major implications for the future of up to 25 councils across NSW, including 16 in Sydney, which are earmarked to merge but which have been put on hold because of ongoing legal challenges.