Hornsby Council want to reclaim Epping from Parramatta after boundary change or get compo
Hornsby Council puts a claim for the Epping area to NSW Government after boundary changes cost $9m per year.
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Hornsby’s campaign to reclaim Epping was pitched at the NSW Government this week but now faces opposition from Parramatta Council who won’t give up the millions in rates easily.
On Tuesday the NSW Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton met the Hornsby Mayor and Hornsby state Liberal MP Matt Kean to discuss a plan so Hornsby residents “won’t be any worse off”.
Hornsby Mayor Steve Russell said he is seeking $129 million in compensation for lost council revenue from the boundary changes imposed on Hornsby that put ratepayers from areas including Epping and Carlingford into Parramatta Council’s area.
“I was given an undertaking that Hornsby won’t be any worse off,” Cr Russell said. “The biggest issue is why should residents of Hornsby, who paid for the infrastructure in Epping, be short-changed?
“Our residents are down the drain to the tune of $9 million a year because the government took part of Hornsby and gave it to Parramatta.
“Of course Parramatta are able to spend significant amounts of money now they got a windfall from Hornsby and so they are able to throw money at Epping.”
Parramatta Council administrator Amanda Chadwick said having all of Epping town centre in one council area is “one of the most positive aspects of the newly merged council”.
“Our council has been working hard to ensure a smooth and successful transition for affected residents (in Epping) and we have made a great deal of progress”, Ms Chadwick said.
“It would be disappointing for both the City of Parramatta and the community if this good work was distracted by the Hornsby Council proposal,” she said.
There are three plans Cr Russell suggested to rectify Hornsby’s “significant” loss.
“They’re going to consider, a lump-sum payment or two proposals for boundary changes,” Cr Russell said. “My preferred option is us getting the whole of Epping town centre back and Carlingford stays with Parramatta.”
Cr Russell said a big payment is risky as “councillors can move motions to spend that money elsewhere”, instead of on planned projects.
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