North Sydney to merge with Willoughby and Mosman joins Manly in council mergers announced by State Government

LOWER north shore councils face radical changes from next May under mergers announced by the State Government today.

LOWER north shore councils face radical changes from next May under mergers announced by the State Government today.

North Sydney Council will be merged with Willoughby, while Mosman will be part of a combined entity with Manly and the southern half of Warringah under the sweeping changes announced by Premier Mike Baird in a teleconference with NSW mayors this morning.

Each of the merged metropolitan councils will be given $10 million in government funding to help pay for the expensive process.

How the northern Sydney council boundaries will look from May 2016.

Council elections scheduled for September 2016 have been pushed back to March 2017 with all councils to be placed into a period of administration between May 2016 and the rescheduled elections. Existing councils will remain in place until next May.

$10 MILLION SWEETENER FOR MERGED METRO COUNCILS

North Sydney mayor Jilly Gibson said a delegate would be appointed to the council to oversee the submissions about boundary readjustments.

She said she was “disappointed” but not surprised with North Sydney’s partner in the arranged council marriage.

North Sydney Mayor Jilly Gibson.

“I envisaged a harbour council, which would have been a better outcome for us,” she said.

However, Ms Gibson said she had a good relationship with Willoughby mayor Gail Giles-Gidney.

“I talk to the mayor of Willoughby on a regular basis,” she said. “We’re very friendly and we have a good relationship.”

Ms Gibson, who plans to run for mayor of the new council, said she was surprised Mosman was not included in the merger with North Sydney and Willoughby.

“Many Mosman residents have told me that if mergers have to happen then Mosman and North Sydney are a good fit”,” she said.

Willoughby mayor Gail Giles-Gidney.

Mosman Council will hold an extraordinary general meeting on Tuesday night to respond to the Government’s merger plan, which came out of left field as it was against the previously flagged mega north shore council or Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby tie-up.

“There’s a lot of concern and anxiety this will lead to a reduction in community services,” Mayor Peter Abelson said.

“The issue is whether we can set up an organisation which is respectful of the local community and empowers the local community.

“Obviously we’ll have to see whether the government has come up with solutions that could work.”

Deputy Mayor Carolyn Corrigan said the proposed Mosman, Manly and part of Warringah council went against the community’s wish for the council to remain independent.

“I think our community won’t accept it,” she said.

“We haven’t changed our minds ... we will fight it.

“I see no advantage to Mosman of this merger. There’s been absolutely no community consultation from our perspective on this proposal.”

She said it was too early to say what the plan of attack would be.

“It needs to be a whole of council response,” she said.

“It is still only a proposal. It’s not a definite fait accompli.”

Mosman councillor Roy Bendall.

Cr Roy Bendall agreed with Cr Corrigan.

“There’s no way our community will ever accept this,” he said.

“It’s going against all democratic processes. It’s not an amalgamation, it’s a dissolution of Mosman.

“In order to get a political fix for the Premier Mike Baird (Manly MP) and Planning Minister Rob Stokes (Pittwater MP), they’ve created a whole new entity.

“This whole process is becoming a political process rather than one of democracy.”

North Sydney councillor Zoe Baker said the NSW Government has shown contempt for local government and local communities by making the announcement just before Christmas.

“Local government wouldn’t never make such important announcements at this time year,”

Cr Baker said.

“Willoughby is saddled with a $50 million in debt and has higher rates — this will mean increased rates and loss of local services for North Sydney residents”.

MIKE BAIRD’S COUNCIL REVOLUTION

North Sydney councillor Zoe Baker.

Cr Baker said she would continue to fight the decision that she considered was “ideological rather than practical’’.

“The amalgamation issue has already eaten up enormous resources and will continue to do so,’’ she said.

North Sydney councillor Stephen Barbour said the announcement was ``good news and bad news” because he was relieved North Sydney Council would only amalgamate with one other councillor.

“It’s workable but don’t think it’s going to benefit anyone,’’ he said.

“There is no evidence from anywhere that this has any financial benefits or creates more efficient councils.’’