A SHOCK merger proposal between Wakool and Murray shires would result in a financially stronger council with ratepayers paying consistent, pre-approved rates for the first four years, the state government says.
The Office of Local Government unveiled on Friday a proposal to create 20 new councils in regional New South Wales by merging 42 existing ones, saying it would result in improved infrastructure and services, stabilised rates and stronger local representation.
The announcement — which included a suggestion to force Wakool and Murray shires to merge — marked the next step in the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future reform process.
“Our regional communities deserve a stronger local government system that can deliver the infrastructure and services they deserve, while keeping rates stable,” Premier Mike Baird said.
“At the very heart of this reform is a commitment to strengthening our communities and ensuring they have a viable future in the face of the challenges they confront – and nowhere are these challenges more evident than in our rural and regional communities.”
The government argued, based on economic modelling and consultation, a Wakool-Murray merger would see the resulting council $20 million stronger over 20 years, with a 37 per cent improvement in annual operating results over 10 years.
To help accomodate the change, the government said it would provide $10 million for a Stronger Communities Fund for community infrastructure projects.
On top of this, rates would be frozen “at existing paths” for four years under government policy, while the combined population for the new local government area would be 11,400.
The proposal came as a surprise to Wakool Shire Mayor Neil Gorey, after the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) adjudged the council fit to stand alone as a single rural council in October.
Murray, on the other hand, was deemed unfit to stand on its own according to IPART’s report.
For more on this story, grab a copy of Monday’s Guardian (December 21).
