Save Our Councils Coalition demands boycott of Minister’s letter

A letter from the Office of Local Government calling on councillors to be part of an interim peninsula council has been slammed as “toxic” by an anti-amalgamation lobby group.

Local Government NSW annual conference in Coffs Harbour day 2. Minister for Local Government, Paul Toole

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A letter from the Office of Local Government calling on councillors to be part of an interim peninsula council has been slammed as “toxic” by an anti-amalgamation lobby group.

The Save Our Councils ­Coalition has told all councillors and mayors who received the letter to boycott it.

“All councillors who ­believe in local democracy, proper process and the public interest should not ­respond to this toxic letter or fill in the EOI,” said the group spokesman.

In Minister Toole’s form there are six different criteria which gauges the councillor’s attitude to reform and willingness to make the new council “a success”.

Save Our Councils Coalition rally at Hyde Park earlier this month. Picture: Braden Fastier.

As a side note it says ­expressions of interest that meet all the criteria will be considered.

Manly Councillor Hugh Burns said the letter is highly inappropriate.

“It’s fishing for your political views on the matter and then saying we might consider you if you’re views are the same as ours.”

Cr Burns said he will not be putting forward a submission. Councillor Cathy Griffin said she was disappointed that elected representatives are being asked to reapply for their jobs.

Pittwater Mayor Jacqui Townsend and Warringah Mayor Michael Regan disagree, saying they welcomed the call and that it is important peninsula councillors are being included in the process.

A spokesman from the Minister Toole’s office said the Government announced last year that it would give councillors committed to amalgamation an opportunity to be involved and that it is still the case.