Doubts linger over state government’s approval of a merged Gosford and Wyong council
THE Central Coast is now home to one of the largest councils in NSW after the state government approved a merger proposal between Gosford and Wyong councils.
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THE Central Coast is now home to one of the largest councils in NSW after the state government approved a merger proposal between Gosford and Wyong councils.
The government’s plan to reduce the number of councils across the state resulted in the creation of 15 new councils by merging 33 existing councils in the Sydney metropolitan region, the classification the Central Coast falls under.
Mayors and general managers were briefed by Premier Mike Baird and Local Government Minister Paul Toole in webcam hook-up Friday morning.
The approval of a voluntary merger means the new council entity will be eligible for $20 million to help fund merger costs.
While Wyong Mayor Doug Eaton was delighted with the new deal, Gosford Mayor Lawrie
McKinna was more cautious.
“We knew it would happen, but there’s still not much clarity there,” Councillor McKinna said.
He said it was good news that councils had until March 2017 before the next local government election.
“It will give us time to put these two organisations together,” he said.
“It gives council staff longer time to work it out.
“I was worried there was going to be big slashes to the council and council staff, but there will be a rate freeze for four years, which is also good news.
“We voted to go this way, so we have to make it work.”
Councillor Eaton was already talking about the big projects — including light rail — that such a large council would be able to undertake.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for the coast and brings an end to the uncertainty councils and the community have been living with for the past few months,” Councillor Eaton said.
“We will become one of the largest councils in NSW and the only large council that controls the whole of its region.”
He said a merged Wyong and Gosford council will represent an area similar to the Gold Coast and bring with it the capacity and leverage to pursue significant regional projects, previously beyond the grasp of individual coast councils.
“The Central Coast could now have the sort of opportunities we have seen on the Gold Coast which has in partnership with other levels of government built a light rail system,” Cr Eaton said.
“This is the sort of project the Central Coast Council could and, I think, should undertake.”
He said the state government also indicated a council rate freeze was being considered as part of the proposed mergers.
He said the community would have the opportunity to comment on the boundary changes in the New Year as part of an office of Local Government and the NSW Boundary Commission process.
OPPOSITION SLAMS DECISION
Central Coast Opposition spokesman and Wyong state Labor MP David Harris slammed the decision to amalgamate the councils, accusing the state government of “sneaking” it through a week out from Christmas.
He said the Premier had “disregarded community input”, claiming the decision would affect local residents, sporting and community organisations and hundreds of jobs without any “real consultation”.
“Mike Baird today has ignored the wishes of a majority of Central Coast residents and councillors,” Mr Harris said.
“The whole Fit for the Future process has been a multi-million dollar farce — it was a done deal from the start.”
He said 61 per cent of Coast residents and 59 per cent of small businesses were strongly opposed amalgamations.
“Mike Baird and Paul Toole have tried to push this through under the blanket of Christmas and the closure of Parliament to avoid any real scrutiny,” Mr Harris said.
He again called for a citizens panel to be established as part of the process to ensure transparency and community input.
“The entire amalgamation process was undemocratic, politically motivated and has not identified any real benefits to the Central Coast community,” he said.
“I strongly encourage people to write to the Boundary Commission delegate expressing their views about amalgamation and indicate whether they support it or not.”
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