Plan to merge Nillumbik and Banyule rejected at fiery council meeting

A shock plan to merge Nillumbik and Banyule councils fired up the public. And sparks continued to fly in council chambers after the proposal was rejected at a heated meeting, with one fed-up councillor even calling the whole episode “embarrassing”.

Nillumbik’s Cr Peter Clarke believes amalgamating Nillumbik and Banyule councils would help lower the cost of rates. Picture: Mark Wilson

Nillumbik council will not merge with Banyule, with the shock proposal labelled “damaging” and “embarrassing” at a fiery council meeting last night.

Nillumbik councillors voted against Cr Peter Clarke’s idea, but the former mayor stood by his proposal, saying an amalgamation of the city’s two northeastern councils would help lower the cost of rates.

The proposal would have delivered the first council amalgamation in Victoria in 25 years.

Cr Peter Perkins said talk of a potential merger had caused “unnecessary stress” among the Nillumbik and Banyule communities.

“This whole episode has been embarrassing — it’s been damaging to council, it’s been damaging to council staff, and talking to three Banyule councillors on the weekend they believe it’s been damaging to them and their ratepayers as well,” he said.

“There were 900 staff across the two organisations worried about their future, this is not the way that business of council should be transacted.”

Nillumbik and Banyule council boundaries. Image: VEC

Eltham resident and former Nillumbik councillor of 12 years Helen Coleman said she was relieved the council voted against the idea.

“A merger would be a State Government decision ultimately and I know for a fact the State Government do not have mergers on their agenda,” she said.

“I see this proposal as a waste of time — there is no proof that rates or fees will decrease when merging.”

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Smiths Gully landholder Kahn Franke said Nillumbik and Banyule would be “better off” as individual municipalities.

“This council has a raft of issues it needs to tackle — wildlife control, Green Wedge management, bushfire mitigation — an amalgamated council would be far too big and not address these concerns thoroughly,” he said.

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