Leichhardt, Marrickville, and Ashfield Councils vote to accept a three-way amalgamation

THREE inner west councils will be given $25 million after agreeing to amalgamate last night but one mayor says it was done ‘because we have a gun to our head’.

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LEICHARDT, Marrickville, and Ashfield Councils are set to merge after Local Government Minister Paul Toole said he would accept the three-way amalgamation preference.

A meeting between the Labor mayors of the three local government areas and the minister yesterday saw motions put to all councils last night approving the merger if forced amalgamations go ahead.

Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne, Marrickville mayor Sam Iskandar and Ashfield mayor Lucille McKenna met with Mr Toole who gave undertakings he would take the proposed merger to the Boundaries Commission and the councils would receive the $25 million carrot on offer to councils who accept a merger.

Peter Boxall, chairman of IPART, NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Local Government Paul Toole at last month’s press conference where they announced the tough measures. Picture: Stephen Cooper

Cr Byrne said all three councils would continue to operate autonomously until council elections in September next year.

He said the workings of the new mega council would be discussed over the coming year but legislative changes may be needed to create new electorates and decide the number of representatives.

“We are not sure how it will work yet but there could be an oversight committee consisting of the mayors and general managers from each area.”

Cr Byrnes said the mayors had expressed their disappointment at the process but they had received legal advice that the government could suspend councillors and appoint administrators which meant forced mergers could go ahead.

Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne opposes the merger but said if forced, the Marrackville, Ashfield option is best.

Marrickville mayor Sam Iskandar has agreed to a three-way merger. Picture: John Appleyard

Cr McKenna said they were told the three councils would meet his requirements for scale and capacity,” she said.

“He (the minister) said he will be making his announcement very soon after November 18, and definitely within two weeks.”

The mayor said that Ashfield’s first choice had always been to stand alone, but that the council had been presented with an ultimatum.

“This isn’t a voluntary merger,” she said. “This is something I’m recommending because we have a gun to our head.

“At the end of the day this is about risk, and we could end up in a position we don’t want to be in.

“If we have to merge ... we are alike ... electing the right people to the next council will be very important.”

Leichhardt Councillor John Stamolis said questioned the decision saying the merger would not deliver the best outcome for the community.

“I ask, what is going on and who are we doing this for if it is not for our community?”

Cr Stamolis said council was advised that if it did not submit to a merger option it could face administration which could lead to loss of council jobs, slashed services, sale of assets, increased costs and reduced say on major developments affecting the area.

He said he opposed the merger because it would “do the same thing”.