The Harden Shire Council monthly meetings are often attended by only two residents on a consistent basis. They know who they are and don’t need to be named here. There are those that may view the business paper online, as to how many? It is hard to determine.
The enormously important issue of amalgamation is not going away for any of the 99 regional shires in NSW mentioned by the NSW State Government as having merger or amalgamation potential. Harden Shire is right in the firing line.
Ratepayer issues such as parking, water and increases in service costs will pale into insignificance if apathy or lack of interest is continued by residents and ratepayers in the Harden Shire. If the Shire Council does nothing in investigating its options it may find itself pushed in to an amalgamation.
The motto on the New South Wales Liberal State Government website is “Our clear plan to Rebuild NSW – to make our state a stronger and better community for all.” What does this statement mean when it is juxtaposed with the enormous financial gains on offer to regional councils such as Harden Shire to amalgamate with their neighbours.
The 99 councils under the ‘regional’ heading according to the ‘Fit for the Future’ website under ‘What’s on offer for your council’ at www.fitforthefuture.nsw.gov.au/reform-package, will see financial reward for merging with other councils. Will these rewards offer any long-term benefit to Harden Shire Council or any other council that takes up this offer? What efficiencies will be found? How will communities benefit? What consultation needs to occur with the residents?
The State Government is offering (if two councils merge) $5 million dollars to assist with the merger process (regardless of size). If three councils merge they will receive a total of $11 million dollars to assist with merging (regardless of size). If four councils merge they will receive $13.5 million dollars to assist with merging (regardless of size).
If the State Government has a clear plan it is difficult to see when the figures tell a very interesting story. Two councils merging equals $2.5 million dollars each for the merging process. Three councils merging receive $3,666,666 each for the merging process. Four councils merging will receive $3,375,000 each for the merging process.
The money on offer from the State Government sends a message that the only plan they have is for as many councils to merge with each other as possible after being bought off by their offers. They would rather see regional councils not only merge with a neigbouring council but two or three of them.
What commonalities does Harden Shire share with its neighbours and where will the best fit be found. Is this a ‘Clear plan for NSW – to make our state a stronger and better community for all?’ or an attempt to rid the State Government of a large number of regional councils.
Our sister shire Sutherland in Sydney are also apart of 41 Sydney and 4 other major centres offered millions of dollars if they amalgamate.
Each newly merged council in this category will receive $10.5 million with a population of 250,000. Each merger with 50,000 in population over 250,000 people will receive an extra $3 million up to $22.5 million. It sounds like a lot of money. What issues will it solve for these large councils?
The divisive issue of local government amalgamations, which helped end the governance of the Bligh government in Queensland, is fast shaping up as the big issue at next week’s annual NSW Local Government Conference for councils in NSW, in Coffs Harbour from Sunday 19 to Tuesday 21 October. Harden will have three members present in newly elected Mayor John Horton, Councillor Chris Manchester and General Manager Max Kershaw.
In regard to the Revitalising Local Government report, President of Local Government NSW, Keith Rhoades said “There is one thing in this which in my opinion is being overlooked and that is consultation with the community,”.
Mr Rhoades said, “I just feel they’re a little bit too far on the back burner, even when the government is talking to mayors and general managers. Communities are being a little bit left out. You can’t turn your back or ignore them.”
Mr Rhoades said there were “mixed views” on amalgamations across NSW councils, with some staunchly opposed to them and others keen to merge.
“Warren Shire Council in the Western part of NSW is totally opposed to it while Fairfield want to go in with Liverpool.” Mr Rhoades said.
Citing other varying positions councils were taking Mr Rhoades said the Minister for Local Government Mr Paul Toole had assured him councils could apply to ‘stand alone’ and not necessarily merge with any other council to but added that these councils needed to prove they were Fit for the Future.
“If a council thinks it’s strong enough to put in a proposal to be ‘Fit for the Future’ based on their current boundaries they’re entitled to do so, all I’m saying is they need to put it in early in case it’s rejected by the review panel, so they still have time to get another in based on the position of merging with a neighbouring council,” Mr Rhoades said.
He said another source of anxiety for local councils was that the composition of the review panel judging ‘Fit for the Future’ applications remains unknown.
“I’ve asked the minister but he can’t tell me. There is some concern T-Corp might be on it and a lot of people think the T-Corp assessment of councils was flawed.”
Councils, have until June 30 2015, to submit their proposals to government which will then be assessed.
Mayor John Horton told the Twin Town Times that “there is a presumption that we will merge with Young and Boorowa. This couldn’t be further from the truth. We have had a meeting with Cootamundra in August and I also attended a meeting with Yass Mayor Rowena Abbey and members of Harden’s Chamber of Commerce last week. Since taking on the role of Mayor I have also contacted Gundagai Mayor Ab McAlister. We must look very hard at what is best for our community if we are going to amalgamate and at all the options available to us. By making contact we will find out what our surrounding shires think”.
Young’s newly elected Mayor John Walker said “No decision will be made before the report from the consultant hired by the 3 councils is delivered at a joint meeting soon.”
Neither the townsfolk of Harden, Young or Boorowa have been given any indication as to whether an amalgamation will bring any benefit to their communities. No real community engagement has been made by the council in the last 15 months since a joint meeting between Harden, Boorowa and Young was held at St Clements Galong in June 2013.
It is time the ratepayers of this town spoke up and asked questions of their councillors. The direction your town will take with surrounding villages will soon be at stake. This shire is too proud to be sent in a direction it doesn’t want to go. Beware of apathy, lack of interest and misinformation or we may find that we will lose our identity and with that maybe our future.