Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick councils survive mass sackings, at least until court rules

THE three eastern suburbs councils set to be merged by the State Government — Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick — have been spared today’s mass sacking of councils across the state by Premier Mike Baird.

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Local Government Paul Toole when they released an earlier report on the merger process.

THE three eastern suburbs councils set to be merged by the State Government — Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick — have been spared today’s mass sacking of councils across the state by Premier Mike Baird.

Woollahra Council is awaiting the outcome of a Land and Environment Court case against its amalgamation and the government today upheld its promise not to proclaim the eastern suburbs merger before a ruling on the case.

But Local Government Minister Mr Toole did reiterate “in principle” support for that merger today, “subject to the decisions of the courts”, which is expected any day.

Woollahra councillors, led by Mayor Toni Zeltzer, have opposed the merger from the outset.

Woollahra Mayor Toni Zeltzer said she felt for those communities whose councils had been dissolved today. She also criticised the fact some rural councils in Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce’s seat of New England had been spared an expected merger after he spoke out against the plans.

“It seems there’s no issue of efficiency, cost savings or being fit for the future if you’re in a marginal seat,” Cr Zeltzer said.

“It’s devastating for those local communities who have a real sense of identity which has been forged over decades if not more than a century.

“It’s business as usual but the thing that saddens me the most is the impact it has on our staff.”

Randwick Mayor Noel D’Souza and Waverley Mayor Sally Betts have co-operated with the merger.

But Waverley Mayor Sally Betts has supported the merger and said staff from all three councils were ready to work together.

“The three councils are ready, all the staff have been meeting regularly and the sooner it happens the better,” Cr Betts said.

“Until the decision it is business as usual.

“The work we’ve been doing between the councils means even when amalgamations do happen, it will be no different the next day.”

Today, 45 other councils were merged into 19 new authorities.

“The most comprehensive local government reform in more than 100 years will result in 19 new councils beginning operations from today,” Mr Baird said.

An administrator and an interim general manager have been appointed to run the new councils until elections on September 9 next year.

The administrators will choose from mayors and councillors who entered an earlier expressions of interest process to serve on new “local committees”.

“The knowledge, skills and experience of existing mayors and councillors will be an enormous asset to the new councils,” Mr Baird said.

Today’s announcement included a promise by Mr Baird to introduce new laws to parliament which ensured the integrity of councillors.

Councils will no longer be able to decide on planning decisions that councillors have a stake in.

There will also be a $2,500 cap on political donations for council elections.

Decisions made on planning applications lodged with a council in which a councillor or general manager, their spouse or relative has a financial interest will have to be made independently of the council.

This requirement will not apply to routine development applications relating to their principal places of residence.

“We want the community to have confidence in councils again,” Mr Baird said.