It’s business as usual for Bega Valley Shire Council amid a state of chaos, legal threats and forced mergers.
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Mike Baird announced at lunchtime Thursday the NSW Liberal government will push ahead with the creation of 19 new councils across Sydney and NSW.
The government has said it intends to merge another nine, pending the outcome of litigation.
Among those amalgamations is the neighbouring Bombala Council, formerly linked with a potential merge with Bega Valley.
Bombala will now join Cooma-Monaro and Snowy River Shire Councils in the Snowy Monaro Regional Council.
Mayor of Cooma-Monaro Dean Lynch has been appointed administrator of the new entity, with the period of administration lasting through until September 9, 2017, when local government elections for all merged councils will take place.
One step removed from the challenges arising from Thursday’s announcement, BVSC general manager Leanne Barnes said it was “business as usual” as the council looks towards council elections this coming September.
She said planning was already underway with neighbouring Eurobodalla Council, which was also spared Baird’s amalgamation plans due to being proved “fit for the future” as a standalone council.
However, Ms Barnes felt as there had been “understandably” so much focus on potential – and now realised – amalgamations, councils forging ahead under their own steam had been somewhat ignored.
Bombala’s last mayor Bob Stewart said it came as no surprise. He said he was very disappointed, not only with the merger but with the way it had been handled.
He said there was very little communication from the state government to councils regarding the amalgamations.
“It’s typical of this government,” he said. “There has been virtually no communication.
“I’m concerned about the potential loss of jobs. I'd expect jobs from this council would go to the larger centre. That is something that will be felt throughout this community,” Cr Stewart said.
Cr Lynch was more upbeat about the merger.
“I am very much in favour of amalgamations,” he said prior to Thursday’s announcement.
He supported the change because he said in his seven years at mayor he has seen too many inefficiencies in local government.
“Bring it on. For too long the councils in the Eden-Monaro been competing against each other for essentially the same money,” he said.
“It has been ridiculous here in Eden-Monaro, we really are a region.”
Councillor Lynch said he thought fear of change was the main reason people in the region were against amalgamation.
In details on the government’s dedicated website, strongercouncils.nsw.gov.au, it was confirmed each new council will receive up to $15million to invest in community projects like junior sporting facilities, playgrounds and library or pool upgrades.
Each new council will also receive up to $10million to streamline administrative processes and cut red tape. Unspent funds may be redirected to community projects.
The website also states ratepayers in new council areas will have their rates protected against future increases, meaning they will pay no more for their rates than they would have under their old council for four years.
Further north, Kiama has been spared amalgamation with Shoalhaven after concerted public opposition, including a Kiama council-run plebiscite – at an estimated cost of $120,000 – with more than 95 per cent of those who took part voting against the planned merger.
Wollongong’s merge with Shellharbour, supported by the NSW government, is on hold pending the outcome of legal action lodged in an attempt to stop the move.
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Correction: When this article was first published, the NSW government was incorrectly referred to a Labor government. That has now been amended and we apologise for any confusion caused by the slip.