Media Release: Merger Presents Opportunities

Merger Presents Opportunities for Harden and Cootamundra

Harden and Cootamundra Shire Councillors met on Tuesday 14^th April and both Councils have now determined to prepare a Council merger proposal.

The two Councils have been working together to respond to the State Government’s ‘Fit for the Future’ local government reform agenda and, having conducted an investigation into the feasibility of a merger, have now agreed to prepare a joint merger proposal and begin consultation with residents, ratepayers and staff.

Welcoming the decision, Mayors John Horton and Jim Slattery were convinced that this merger was in the best interests of both the Harden and Cootamundra  communities.

Mayor Horton stated that, “By merging all of our resources, employees and plant, we will be in a position to increase efficiency and continue to provide the level of service that is needed to grow our towns and villages whilst ensuring the Council can be sustainable into the future. There is genuine excitement within both Councils as we believe this planned merger will deliver benefits across the whole community.”

Mayor Slattery stated that, “I am convinced that this proposal would help both Councils to deliver the present quality services even more effectively. The combined Cootamundra and Harden Councils will be much more than the sum of their parts, and I believe that both communities will gain from having the Councils working as a single organisation.”

The next step in the process is the development of an information package that will be distributed to every household in both Shires in early May, outlining the merger proposal and asking for constructive input from the community.  This will be followed by a series of public meetings in the towns and villages of both Shires providing opportunity for residents to receive detailed information about the proposed merger and to have any questions or concerns answered.  The outcome of the consultation process will be reported to meetings of both Councils in June following which the merger proposal will be submitted to the State Government for approval.

Harden Shire Council
PO Box 110
Harden NSW 2587