The NSW government has finally tipped its hand after Local Government Minister Paul Toole told Parliament last week the government would not support a motion against forced amalgamations.
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Local Government NSW president Keith Rhoades said the statement was the first time the government has revealed its true intentions.
The admission came during last Thursday’s debate on a motion by Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, that: “This House opposes the amalgamation of councils that are financially sustainable and have the support of their communities”.
“That debate was crunch time, and Paul Toole stood on the floor of the Parliament and stated unequivocally that the government would not support a motion opposing the forced amalgamation of councils,” Mr Rhoades said.
“It really does suggest that the whole Fit for the Future process is simply tick-a-box, with the government firmly committed to diluting local democratic representation for purely ideological reasons.”
Walcha mayor Janelle Archdale said it was very disappointing that the government will not continue its previous support of no forced amalgamations.
“Council has been and will continue to work very hard on preparing our Fit for the Future submission to give Walcha the best opportunity to be a stand alone council delivering services to our community,” she said.
MP Alex Greenwich described the Fit for the Future program as “a farce, so the government can claim it consulted and assessed”.
“It was instructive to see the arguments trotted out against the motion, which included claims that amalgamations would ‘drive down rates’, that ‘bigger is better’, and that forced amalgamation is ‘a dead-set non-issue’ for our communities,” Mr Rhoades said.
“It was also interesting how often speakers against the motion adopted a straw man argument, suggesting that the local government sector was opposed to any kind of reform.
“I can assure the community and the government this is not the case: Local government welcomes reform that genuinely improves outcomes for residents and ratepayers.
“What the sector does not support is amalgamations being forced on Councils who are able to show they are financially sustainable.”