Mergers are a big ask, says Corowa mayor

The NSW Government is looking to merge councils that are unsustainable, with cash and incentives on the table for those that make the move. 

Cr Longmire said Corowa was able to operate as an independent council, but a merger with smaller nearby councils was more likely.

He said Berrigan, Urana and Jerilderie councils were the most obvious suitors, but Albury could be a long-term option. 

That would be a big project.

“I believe there are a lot of changes coming, and I think that should be a ‘slowly but surely’ approach with similar councils,” Cr Longmire said.

“That’s a gradual process, but once that is consolidated, the bigger picture would be a regional council, perhaps being Albury.

“I can’t see us merging with Albury in one step.

“It’s down the track a fair way.”

Cr Longmire said the council was reviewing its options, and has had preliminary talks with Albury Council.

Another option was for Corowa to transition from a regional council to a rural council, he said.

Albury mayor Kevin Mack said his council was willing to support smaller shires with services, but was strongly opposed to merging.

“It doesn’t benefit anyone,” he said.

“We have the capacity to assist councils through joint organisations.

“We are in discussion with Corowa and four other shires about providing services at reduced costs.

“We don’t want them to merge, we want them to stand on their own.”

Cr Mack said their discussions involved Urana, Jerilderie, Berrigan and Greater Hume councils.

He said planning and workplace health and safety were services where Albury could share resources, and other services like waste management were already being shared.

“We don’t profess to have all the knowledge and all of the answers, but what we do have is capacity and scale to assist them,” Cr Mack said.

Councils must make submissions to the government on “becoming fit for the future” by June 30.