AFTER 110 years of local governance, Wakool Shire Council will cease to exist following a New South Wales Government decision to merge it with neighbouring Murray Shire.
The new council will be named Murray River Council, following a joint announcement from NSW Premier Mike Baird and Local Government Minister Paul Toole yesterday.
The decision was the result of almost three years of local government reviews, community consultation and merger negotiations.
It began with the Fit for the Future reform process in 2013 and ended with the Council Boundary Review, which commenced late last year.
Overall, 19 new councils have been established out of amalgamations, marking the most comprehensive local government reform in the state for more than 100 years.
Mr Toole said with Murray Shire under administration following the sacking of its councillors and Wakool Shire’s finances in doubt, a new merged council offered the community a “fresh start and a stronger council”.
“It will be business as usual for local residents. Your library is still open when you need it and your bins still go out on the same night they always have,” he added.
Neil Gorey, who has become Wakool Shire’s last mayor, said it was a very devastating day for the Wakool Shire community — which has broadly opposed the merger throughout the consultation process.
“We’re just in shock at the moment … it’s not a very nice day,” Mr Gorey said.
“I just think the whole process has been flawed, corrupted and just really smacks of opportunism.”
The new Murray River Council will be divided into three wards: Moama, Greater Murray and Greater Wakool.
The council’s first appointed administrator and interim general manager, David Shaw and Margot Stork respectively, come from Murray Shire, while Wakool Shire acting general manager Lea Rosser will be its deputy general manager.
Elections for the new council will take place on September 9, 2017.
