Oakville, Maraylya residents call for Hills Shire council to adopt them following Hawkesbury Council ‘neglect’
THE Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said the council would welcome residents from neighbouring Hawkesbury Council “with open arms” as a breakaway push builds momentum.
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THE Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said the council would welcome residents from neighbouring Hawkesbury Council “with open arms” as a breakaway push builds momentum.
Residents in Maraylya and Oakville are calling for The Hills Shire Council to “adopt” them, claiming they have been neglected by Hawkesbury Council.
Oakville Progress Association president John Cupid said members recently met with The Hills Shire Council representatives to discuss their options.
“Members are convinced that Hawkesbury Council hates us and we don’t know why,” Mr Cupid said.
Mr Cupid said there was support from residents to secede from Hawkesbury over a record rates rise that would see them fork out $10,000 a year.
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Residents are also concerned about a lack of planned infrastructure projects.
Mr Cupid said the 10-year forecast for rates would increase from $9 million to $24 million for residents in Oakville.
“We represent 2.6 per cent of the district but are paying around 38 per cent of the capital works program and we have no infrastructure — it is a disgrace,” he said.
Hawkesbury acting general manager Laurie Mifsud, argued funding had been dedicated and works had been conducted across Maraylya and Oakville in the past year.
“Council undertakes works across its entire Local Government Area based on need and priority,” Mr Mifsud said.
“Works undertaken in the Oakville and Maraylya areas over the last year include the upgrading of the parking area at Maraylya Park Road and resealing (of) Neich Rd, Glenidol Rd, Forrester Pl, Bocks Rd and Phipps Rd.”
Mr Mifsud said previous programs also included a new footpath at Maraylya Public School as well as the reconstruction of Dunns and Scheyville roads.
“Council has supported concerned residents in rural suburbs of the Hawkesbury Local Government Area through Valuer’s General workshops held in 2017, community consultations through Town Meetings, personal meetings with the mayor and responding to residents’ feedback through correspondence.”
A spokeswoman for Hawkesbury Mayor Mary Lyons Buckett said there were five properties within Oakville and a total of 11 properties across the whole LGA that are paying more than $10,000 in residential rates.
“The land values range from $6,000,000 to $9,000,000 for Oakville and $5,130,000 to $12,200,000 across the LGA – for the properties that are paying more than $10,000,” she said.
“We are happy to assist all residents in understanding the changes in revaluation of land, as well as the Valuer General’s office which can be called on 1800 110 038.”
Cr Byrne said the residents would be welcome.
“You can’t blame these residents for wanting a well-resourced council that is focused on delivering essential infrastructure and services,” she said.
Under the Local Government Act a proposal from residents can be presented to the Minister For Local Government to change council boundaries.