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FRE
November 18, 2015
Your independent local newspaper
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Issue 121
Ph: 4325 7369
Councillors bullied into amalgamation vote even out of 10 Gosford councillors have voted to inform the NSW Government they are willing to amalgamate with Wyong Council.
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The NSW Government has required all NSW councils deemed “unfit” to stand alone to make 50-word submissions by November 18 outlining their amalgamation preferences. Gosford’s deputy mayor, Cr Craig Doyle moved that “… based on its understanding that continuing as a stand-alone Council is not acceptable to the NSW Government… Council’s first preference is that Gosford City Council voluntarily merges with Wyong Shire Council.” Cr Doyle went on to give Gosford’s second preference, which was for Gosford City Council to merge with the southern part of Wyong Council up to Sparks Rd and for the remaining northern part of Wyong Shire Council to merge with Lake Macquarie City Council. “I find it hard to believe that we haven’t been provided a choice as councillors,” Cr Doyle said in opening discussion on the proposed motion. “As a working party, we took the opportunity to meet with the minister to express our fears, and I must say, they were met with respect and concern,” he said. Cr Doyle said a meeting with the local government minister, Mr Paul Toole did allay his fears about having no say in the process “a little”. “I say a little, because I
From left: Cr Jim McFadyen, Cr Gabby Bowles, deputy mayor Cr Craig Doyle and Cr Jeff Strickson debate the future of Gosford Council
still have some concerns that a voluntary forced amalgamation is our first choice,” he said. He said Wyong’s early move, by a margin of one vote, in favour of the formation of a Greater Central Coast Regional Council through a merger with Gosford, stymied the debate about options available to Gosford. “I really think we have been bullied and coerced
into a corner from which there is no recovery,” he said. Cr Hillary Morris said she would not vote in favour of the amalgamation. “I find it incomprehensible that we have been told to amalgamate or else,” Cr Morris said, citing the fact that IPART had found Gosford to be financially sustainable. “What happens if we stand alone?” she asked.
“I don’t agree that we don’t have a choice; we are denying our residents the right to a voice.” Cr Morris outlined the legislative process that would need to be followed if Gosford did elect to defy the minister’s advice and state a preference to stand alone. She questioned whether the $10 million funding promised to councils who volunteered to amalgamate
plus $10 million for infrastructure would come near to covering the costs of amalgamation. “In our submission we talked about figures of $37 million and $31 million, that leaves a shortfall of $48 million. “Where will it come from, the sale of assets, the sale of public land, a special rate variation? “I will refuse to succumb to the bullying of the state government for
a paltry $20m,” she said. Cr Gabby Bowles added: “It really does feel like we have been backed into a corner on this one. “I would ordinarily be putting up one hell of a fight but the State Government has been very clever and would not be heading into this situation if they were not confident of the outcome,” Cr Bowles said. “While amalgamation would not be my preferred situation under ordinary circumstances, I believe what we are facing now are exceedingly extraordinary circumstances.” Cr Bowles said she would support the motion on the basis that it meant Gosford’s elected representatives would remain in their roles until the September 2016 election. “I believe it is imperative our community has a voice throughout the process... Gosford’s assets, infrastructure and staff, we can’t fight for them if we are not here,” she said. Cr Jeff Strickson said the benefits of amalgamation could be as much as $196 million over 20 years and that was “too much to gamble”. Who is going to pick up the shortfall if we don’t amalgamate?” Cr Strickson asked. “I believe it is for the best intentions of the rate payers for the two councils that we do amalgamate and carry on so we can represent the people of the new area,” he said. Cr Bob Ward said he would support the motion because a single voice for the Central Coast would give the region strength on planning issues. Continued P3
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