Shock plan to merge Banyule and Nillumbik councils

Key advocacy groups are divided about a shock plan to merge Banyule and Nillumbik councils. But results of a Leader poll show opinion is heavily to one side. So, just what would it mean for Banyule?

Banyule Council offices on top of the WaterMarc building in Greensborough. Picture: Josie Hayden

Banyule Council says it does not support a strong push by neighbouring Nillumbik to merge but the community is divided on the proposal.

Nillumbik councillor Peter Clarke is trumpeting the move as a way to cut into the debt situation plaguing Melbourne’s two northeastern councils.

Ratepayers in Banyule and Nillumbik areas would have to vote for the plan to proceed but residents are divided.

A total of 76 people out of 98 who voted in a Heidelberg Leader Facebook poll said they would not support the proposal.

Friends of Banyule member Michelle Giovas said the potential merger could not come at a worse time.

“The suggestion of a merger with a council that supports the North East Link dissecting and destroying Banyule’s amenity and very character is an unwelcome distraction and really at this time is untenable,” she said.

“We would be joining a council that supports the NEL and prioritises Eltham over our suburbs of Watsonia, Macleod, Yallambie, Viewbank and Heidelberg.”

However, Banyule Ratepayers Action Group (BRAG) supported the merger push and urged council to investigate the possibility.

BRAG member David Mulholland said if the merger was to take place, long-suffering ratepayers in both councils would need to receive a cut in rates.

“The bigger picture could see projects like the Operations Centre in Waterdale Rd moving to Nillumbik Depot at Yarrambat thereby freeing up the Waterdale Rd site community facilities like netball or basketball courts or a new primary and secondary school,” he said.

Banyule Mayor Wayne Phillips said Banyule was not pursuing a merger and had no discussion with Nillumbik to support the proposal.

“Nillumbik Council has raised the prospect of a merger previously but this is not something that Banyule Council supports or has formed a position on,” he said.

“As with any other formal proposal, if a position was put to council, then council would consider it, but a merger is not something council is discussing or seeking to pursue.”

However, Cr Phillips said in an earlier Herald Sun report that the council was open to the discussion.

MORE: HEIDELBURGER BAR OPENS WITH ITALIAN TWIST

VACANT HOUSES GET A COMMUNITY RENOVATION RESCUE

UNIQUE CHURCH INVITES ALL AS PART OF OPEN HOUSE

“It would irresponsible to at least not look about the possible advantages of economies of scale and talk about how to serve the best interests of ratepayers.,” he said.

“I’d be recommending to the council that we seriously look at it. But I would need to be convinced that our residents will be better off.”

Nillumbik’s Cr Clarke said he would put an initial motion to a council meeting on Tuesday.

“If passed we will form working parities from both councils — we’ll pull together the facts and see what a merged council would look like,” Cr Clarke said.