Glamorgan-Spring Bay mayor says more information needed on amalgamation benefits

Some councils were relieved they wouldn’t be forced to merge with other councils, but one mayor says a lack of information is making it tough to form a stance on the idea. Here’s why.

Mayor Cheryl Arnol. Picture: Matthew Farrell

Glamorgan-Spring Bay Mayor Cheryl Arnol says her community has been left in the dark when it comes to information about the option of amalgamation, leaving the council unable to form a position on whether it supports the idea.

Ms Arnol said

“Over the years, there’s been a number of attempts to amalgamate Glamorgan Spring Bay with the South East councils,” Ms Arnol said.

“The stance has always been we’ll entertain the idea of any reform if it can be proven to us our ratepayers will be in a much better position.”

Orford Bridge. Picture: Richard Jupe

Glamorgan-Spring Bay forms part of the southeast community catchment, a group also made up of the Tasman and Sorell local government areas for the purpose of consultation.

So far there are two amalgamation options proposed as part of the Local Government Review, one is for a mega-council taking in the entire GSB and Tasman regions, along with the rural part of Sorell.

The second is for a mega-council taking in the entire Tasman and Sorell areas and most of GSB, excluding Bicheno.

Last month, the State Government ruled out the possibility of forced amalgamations.

“It changed the process when the minister came out and said there would be no forced amalgamations,” Ms Arnol said.

“As a council, we have not made any formal decisions, we’ve still been working closely with our neighbouring councils, we’re participating in the process.”

Ms Arnol said the community was missing a large part of the picture: whether the community would be better off amalgamating or staying as is.

“We’re still very much in the dark,” Ms Arnol said.

“From my perspective, I am concerned as a community we don’t have sufficient data. There’s been no specific solutions for amalgamated councils.

“We can’t let our communities know what the benefits or disadvanatages would be to an amalgamated council. Will there be cost and savings analysis done so we can put that to our communities?

“I want to see solid data around the benefits for our community.”

The Local Government Review board will hand down its recommendations in October.

“Until October, we’re not going to know,” Ms Arnol said.