Councillors from Harden, Young and Boorowa met at Boorowa at 7pm on Monday November 24 to receive the Joint Consultant’s Report regarding possible merger and amalgamation models between the 3 shires.
The report currently discusses the following four options.
(1) Maintain the status quo.
(2) Merger of all 3 councils.
(3) Alternative Hilltops Council structure incorporating other communities of interest or local government areas as appropriate.
(4) Maintenance of the existing councils with a different administrative/management structure.
In regard to option 1, Maintain the Status Quo, LKS Quaero stated: “The increasing operating deficits of the councils will make it increasingly difficult for them to sustain the current level of services. As an example, none of the councils will have sufficient funds to maintain their assets in an adequate position over the next 20 years. If the current services and service levels are maintained, cash reserves will be depleted. Operating deficits will increase to a point where they are no longer affordable. The financial situation of the councils will mean that at some time in the future, each council will be required to significantly adjust the level of service it provides to its rate payers. The timing for when this change will need to occur will be different for each council.”
2 Merger of Harden Boorowa and Young Councils. LKS Quero stated: “The merged council with the regional and local structure will be able to operate with financial soundness after the merger is implemented. The merged council will be able to achieve solid operating surpluses into the forseeable future without any forseeable policy adjustments. Should it decide to use the resources released by the new merger, the new council will be able to quickly reduce the infrastructure backlog to nil.”
3. Merger of all 3 Councils incorporating other communities of interest or local government areas as appropriate. LKS Quero stated: “At the outset of the review, it was considered prudent to provide for the possibility that other councils would wish to particpate in the review. This was particularly so as the signals coming from the state government about reform of the sector were becoming more specific and stronger. The initial approach to a number of neighbouring councils yielded no initial interest. While other councils were aware of the review being undertaken, none expressed the interest to particpate. It was determined to locate the information necessary to undertaking the analysis of another council would have proved difficult without the concurrence of that council or councils. There emerged a view from the steering committee that proceeding with the review with 3 willing councils was the best way forward. However, the review was to be conducted in a manner which was scaleable, and other information could be added without the need to revisit underpinning principles and assumptions.”
4. Maintain the existing Councils with a different administrative/management structure LKS Quero stated: “In this scenario, the merging of the administrations only would enable the council to operate with financial soundness. After the integration of the administrations is bedded down, the council would be able to achieve solid operating surpluses into the forseeable future without any significant policy adjustments. Should it decide to, the new council would be able to make a substantial inroads into its asset renewal backlog.”
The report will be presented at the Harden, Boorowa and Young December meetings. The report will be released for public exhibition over December 2014. It is expected that a position will be determined on the outcomes of the report in February 2015.
Harden Shire Councillors will devote their next workshop on December 10 for the purpose of the report and its findings. It is expected the 98 page report will take time to decipher. Mayor Horton said, “Harden Shire will not be limited by the findings of this report.” He has advised that a joint meeting will be set up with Gundagai and Cootamundra councils to investigate other regional options.
Council does not meet during January, meaning that the matter will not come before council again until the third Wednesday in February, when they hold their monthly council meeting.