Councils sacked, mergers to go ahead under amalgamation plan

COUNCILLORS across the state have been sacked under the State Government’s council amalgamations plan.

NSW Premier Mike Baird has sacked NSW councils this morning.

COUNCILS across NSW, including Parramatta, have been sacked under the State Government’s amalgamations plan.

The government’s announcement comes after The Parramatta Advertiser reported yesterday councillors from merging councils could be sacked from today.

Premier Mike Baird and Local Government Minister Paul Toole said 19 new councils would be created in NSW from today.

Parramatta and Auburn councils are among those who have been dismissed, with Holroyd and Auburn to merge. Parramatta’s boundaries will be extended.

Merged councils have also been announced in the inner west and on the northern beaches.

An administrator and an interim general manager have been appointed to new councils ahead of council elections on September 9, 2017.

Parramatta Council’s interim general manager will be Greg Dyer and Amanda Chadwick has been appointed as administrator.

Ms Chadwick’s experience includes numerous State Government appointments at an executive level, most recently as the Executive Director of Policy and Economics at NSW Trade and Investment.

The new Parramatta City Council.

The newly merged Holroyd and Auburn council will be called Cumberland, with Viv May as administrator and Merv Ismay as general manager.

Cumberland Council will include the following wards: Greystanes ward, Wentworthville ward, Granville ward, South Granville ward and Regents Park ward.

The new Parramatta Council will include five wards — Parramatta ward, Carlingford ward, The Hills ward, Epping ward and Auburn ward.

The new Cumberland Council.

Former Parramatta Lord Mayor Paul Garrard said he was saddened by the news.

“I wouldn’t be human if I wasn’t sadened by this. I have been lucky enough to serve six terms at Parramatta, it’s something I have been close to for so long.”

“The City of Parramatta is a great city. I’ve seen it grow from a suburban city into something great. It’s a matter of pushing forward now,” he said.

Former Parramatta Councillor Andrew Wilson said he was disappointed he had not heard a thing from the government regarding his role.

“They didn’t do anything radical like make a phone call and let us know it happened,” Mr Wilson said.

“I honestly don’t know where I am up to at this point. We haven’t been told anything at all.”

Another councillor, Glenn Elmore also said nothing had been discussed with them.

“I think the government should have briefed all us councillors about it before they went public. It’s not a very good situation to be in,” he said.

Similarly, sacked Parramatta Councillor Julia Finn, who is also the Granville state Labor MP, said she was not happy with how the merger plans were handled.

“On Monday my 16 years service on council was recognised and today I’ve been sacked. Instead of improving the accountability of local government by banning developers from standing for council, the government has sacked democratically elected councils across the state,” Ms Finn said.

“Make no mistake, this is a solution in search of a problem. This is about making councils less local, less accountable and more malleable. No one in Parramatta has told me they want the council sacked and no one in Granville or Holroyd wants anything to do with Auburn Council.”

Mr Toole said he supported creating a further nine councils, subject to decisions of the courts.

Each new council will receive up to $10 million to meet the costs of merging and up to an additional $15 million to kick start new investment in community infrastructure through the Stronger Communities Fund.

The rate protection policy commitment means residents of new councils will pay no more for their rates than they would have under their old council for four years.

Reducing waste and red tape through local government mergers could free up close to $2 billion over the next 20 years, allowing councils to fund better services and new infrastructure for communities or lower rates, according to the government.

The government will conduct a council review in four years time.

Mr Toole said it will be business as usual for residents in new council areas, with services operating as normal.

“New councils and their communities will decide how to spend their community funds. Projects could include pools, libraries, sporting fields, car park expansions or grants to junior sporting groups,” Mr Toole said.

Mr Toole thanked delegates who examined the proposals and the Boundaries Commission for its important work.

Many people have taken the opportunity to have their say during the consultation process, by speaking at inquiries or making written submissions.

“The NSW Government has listened to community concerns and created new wards that reflect the identity of existing communities,” Mr Toole said.

Mr Toole said that residents should also feel confident planning protections would remain in place with existing Local Environmental Plans remaining in force under the new councils.