MAYORAL PRESS RELEASE – COUNCIL AMALGAMATIONS
Harden Shire Council responded to the NSW Government’s Fit for Future reform process and, following extensive community consultation and negotiation with all surrounding Councils, submitted a merger proposal supporting the merger of Harden and Cootamundra Shire Councils.
Harden Shire Council’s Mayor, John Horton, advised that “Council’s support for the Harden Cootamundra merger reflected overwhelming community support for the merger with submissions received by Harden and Cootamundra Councils both reflecting 90% community support. In Harden’s case the community had also rejected a proposal to merge with Boorowa and Young.”
Council lodged the Harden Cootamundra merger proposal by the government’s nominated closing date of 30 June 2015.
The merger proposal was assessed by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) against seven predetermined assessment criteria. IPART declared the Harden Cootamundra proposal met the ‘Fit for Future’ criteria laid down by the government.
On 18th December 2015, the Premier and Minister for Local Government formally advised Council of the outcome of the ‘Fit for Future’ process. Mayor Horton advises that “Harden Council and community has been dumbfounded by the government’s decision to ignore the view of the Harden and Cootamundra communities and announced a proposal to merge Harden, Boorowa and Young Councils.”
In the case of Cootamundra Council the government have announce a proposal to merge them with Gundagai Shire Council. Gundagai has vowed to oppose this merger proposal.
Harden Council has now been advised that the government has appointed a delegate to conduct public enquiries in support of the government’s merger proposal. Council and the community have been given until 28 February 2016 to make submissions on the government proposal.
On Tuesday 12 January 2016 Harden and Cootamundra Councillors met to consider their response to the government’s proposals. Harden and Cootamundra Councillors unanimously supported making a submission to the government in support of Harden being included in the proposal for the merger of Cootamundra and Gundagai.
Council intends holding an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday 20th January 2016 to formally consider its response to the government’s merger proposal.
