State Government abandons forced amalgamations, including eastern suburbs merger

WOOLLAHRA Mayor Toni Zeltzer declares the State Government’s abandonment of forced mergers ‘a major win for democracy’.

Woollahra Mayor Toni Zeltzer is jubilant as the State Government prepares to scrap the merger.

WOOLLAHRA mayor Toni Zeltzer has claimed a “major win for democracy” after the State Government abandoned forced mergers, including the planned amalgamation of Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick.

At a press conference today NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the government had chosen to “draw a line under this issue”.

“The Government’s merger policy has always been about putting ratepayers first and it has become increasingly clear that certain councils are happy to continue lengthy and costly legal proceedings,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“We want to see councils focusing on delivering the best possible services and local infrastructure to their residents. That is why we are drawing a line under this issue today and ending the uncertainty.

“We are proud of what we have already achieved for local communities in the 20 merged councils, where significant savings and improvements to services and infrastructure have been delivered.”

In a statement, Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton said: “Due to the protracted nature of current legal challenges and the uncertainty this is causing taxpayers, those council amalgamations currently before the courts will not proceed.”

Ms Upton, who is also the member for Vaucluse, was facing a backlash at the State election over the forced merger.

The Liberals were also concerned about the repercussions of the unpopular policy at the upcoming local Government election on September 9.

Ms Upton speaking at a press conference today where she and Ms Berejiklian confirmed they were abandoning the merger. Picture: John Grainger

“We have been vindicated,” Cr Zeltzer said.

“We have wasted four years of council time but finally sense has prevailed.

“It’s a major win for democracy.”

Waverley Mayor Sally Betts said stopping the amalgamations provided Waverley residents with a bright future.

She said Waverley Council was well positioned to continue to provide services to the community.

Waverley Mayor Sally Betts said the abandonement of the merger provided residents with a “bright future”.

“We have always said Waverley’s first option was to stand alone if we could. We are in a really strong financial position and will now be working towards developing a new Community Strategic Plan,” said Cr Betts.

“Over the past year, Waverley Council has worked closely with staff at Randwick and Woollahra councils to prepare for a potential merger. Although today’s announcement means a merger is off the table, the business efficiencies identified in this process, projects undertaken, and positive relationships formed will be able to be adapted and developed to ensure better services and improvements for our communities.

“Today’s announcement is unexpected, but I know Waverley Council will continue to deliver fantastic and innovative services and programs to our community.

“We have some really exciting plans for the future of Waverley and this announcement means we can really focus on delivering on our plans.

“We have certainty in our future for the first time in a very long time.”

Ms Upton was facing a backlash over the merger at the polls in her electorate of Vaucluse, which has Woollahra at its heart. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)

Cr Zeltzer said the council would pursue the State Government for costs.

“We regret that so much time and money has been spent by our council fighting the merger and I think it’s only fair that we continue our case against the Government to claim costs,” she said.

“I would like the money back that has been spent by Woollahra Council in standing up for the community.

“It’s been worth the long fight and, had we not had the foresight to start proceedings in the court early last year, we would have ceased to exist.”

Woollahra has so far spent about $1 million fighting the merger.

By the end of February, Randwick Council had spent $463,635 on preparing their systems for the amalgamation.

Randwick Mayor Noel D'Souza has welcomed the abandonment of the merger.

Randwick Mayor Noel D’Souza welcomed the “great news”.

“We had some common interests like an aquatic lifestyle,” he said.

“There were similarities between the councils but there were also differences.

He said they had prepared their systems for the merger.

“For example our libraries, at the press of a button, were linked,” he said.

“But it was not a waste of time. We’ve learnt from each other and if anything we can improve and learn from that.”

“The great city of Randwick will stay as it is.”

More to come.