Gosford Councillor s took less than three minutes to unanimously declare the Council fit for the future and ready to stand alone at an extraordinary general meeting on Monday, June 29.
Local governments across NSW had until June 30 to make submissions to the state government as to why they should not merge with other nearby councils. Gosford mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna said independent analysis showed Council was performing strongly and well positioned to provide the community with the services, infrastructure and facilities it needed.
“Alarmingly, the analysis we’ve been shown indicates that under an amalgamation with Wyong Council, rates would increase by up to $160 per year for Gosford residents and up to $683 per year for Gosford businesses, and they would receive the same or, in some cases, a lesser service.
“Our community’s voice, and the massive social and economic impacts it could face under a forced amalgamation, must not be lost in this process,” he said. “SGS Economics and Planning have reviewed a number of possible reforms as part of our Fit for the Future submission including an amalgamation with Wyong Council.
“This analysis, along with our own long term planning, confirms that we should be allowed to stand alone given we’re set to meet all the expected financial sustainability, efficiency and infrastructure and service management benchmarks. “Around two years ago, we started a transformation program to improve our efficiency and service provision, which already delivered a $12 million operating surplus in 2013/14.
“These efforts have put us in a strong and financially sustainable position, and it’s very important we stand alone so that we can continue guiding Gosford City’s growth, delivering quality services and giving our community the future it deserves. “But we recognise that our transformation has only just begun and there is still plenty of work to be done, especially around our infrastructure planning and performance,” he said.
Independent analysis also highlighted that not only do residents support Council’s position to stand alone, but the community would suffer under an amalgamation with Wyong Council, according to Cr McKinna. “An independent community survey showed that the majority of our residents support the stand alone option along with a preference for Gosford and Wyong Councils to build on their current joint services arrangements,” he said.
“Although we found there may be some positive financial benefits in amalgamating with Wyong, this option carries with it more cost, risk and the possibility that any benefits would not be seen for some time.
Councillors also resolved as part of the proposal to pursue membership of the Hunter Joint Organisation, which would provide greater strategic capacity than either a full amalgamation or a Central Coast Joint Organisation.
Media release,
29 June 2015
Gosford Council media
Agenda, 29 June 2015
Extraordinary Council
Meeting
Gosford Council
Jackie Pearson, journalist