THERE was one southern NSW council conspicuously absent at this week’s launch of the Canberra Region - an initiative aimed at stimulating economic development and tourism in and around the ACT.
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Twelve regional NSW councils have joined their resources with the nation’s capital, but the Bega Valley Shire Council has other plans.
“Council a few months ago examined the proposition,” Bega Valley Shire Mayor Michael Britten said.
“We believe the other local councils are becoming involved prematurely.”
Cr Britten said two joint organisations would be preferable, one north of Canberra and the other comprising the eastern area to the Pacific coast.
Cr Britten said he held reservations about amalgamating with inland councils such as Yass Valley, which would have a different set of priorities to that of a coastal region.
The BVSC has decided to wait for the result of its State Government Fit for the Future application, which will be submitted by the end of June, he said.
“The Bega, Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven councils all stand alone and are very fit for the future,” he said in regard to valuable resources such as water, which would most likely be shared if an amalgamation were to go ahead.
“I have no objection to working with the ACT and inland councils,” Cr Britten said.
“We really want to know what is going to be best.
“Amalgamations that are not needed cause quite a bit of angst,” he said.
The State Government’s Fit for the Future reform package will see up to $1billion given to local councils to provide support and incentives, a package created by the government in response to the findings of a comprehensive three-year independent review of local government.
Council change inevitable, Valley plans for future
CHANGE in local government appears imminent, it’s just a matter of what is best for the area, said Bega Mayor Michael Britten after BVSC elected not to join the Canberra Group.
Cr Britten said the recent council restructuring, which included the Bega Valley Library Service, are part of “preparing for an uncertain future”.
The Canberra Group was designed with a focus on the potential for tourism collaborations around South East NSW and the ACT, and will not affect actual physical borders or council control over regions.
“At least it looks more like marketing hype than another layer of government," Cr Keith Hughes said of the group.
“Much of the focus of these state-wide changes have been on laying the groundwork for forced, unnecessary and expensive council amalgamations,” he added.
The Canberra Group has also mentioned that issues including improved transport, and the potential for an international airport are part of its long-term agenda.
Cr Britten said reform was needed due to an ageing council workforce and inefficiency.
“Australia has many areas where two or three people are doing the same job,” he said.
The BVSC’s Fit for the Future application must be in by the end of June, and workshops will be held as will a business forum in October.
