A local government expert has demanded "justice" for Cootamundra-Gundagai shire residents as they emerge from a week of spirited public hearings examining a proposed separation of their councils.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Professor of local government, economics and finance Joseph Drew said the Cootamundra community were "very disappointed" in the effects of their forced amalgamation with Gundagai's former council, under a sweeping 2016 policy which created 19 merged councils across NSW.
The Local Government Boundaries Commission heard from 73 speakers, including frustrated residents, in Cootamundra on November 25 and in Gundagai on November 26.
"On the whole in Cootamundra, they're very disappointed that the amalgamation has been, in their words ... a financial disaster for the community," Dr Drew said.
Dr Drew questioned the NSW government's use of a report by financial consultancy firm KPMG in 2015 which recommended council amalgamations, but which has never been released to the public.
"For the community to heal, we must be seen to do justice. It's not just simply enough to be for the process to be just, it must be seen and believed to be by everyone to be completely just."
Minister for local government Shelley Hancock referred the Cootamundra-Gundagai and Snowy Valleys amalgamated councils to the Boundaries Commission in February after almost three years of community backlash.
The Boundaries Commission is an independent authority which is required, by law, to consider nine factors for demerging the councils, including financial advantages and disadvantages, "geographic cohesion", and impact on council operations.
It will prepare a report for Ms Hancock's office in which it may recommend de-amalgamating the councils.
Glen Moore, from the Gundagai Council In Exile group, said he was confident the community had presented a strong case for de-amalgamation during last week's hearings.
"I think we've shown that to the Boundaries Commission and we can only hope that their boasts of independence and transparency are true and the report they give is fair and honest," Mr Moore said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Cootamundra-Gundagai mayor Abb McAlister said the hearings "went extremely well", with every speaker in both towns calling for a demerger.
"Honestly if the Boundaries Comission [is] fair dinkum, they should de-amalgamate the councils," Cr McAlister said.
"Cootamundra-Gundagai council is supportive of a demerger. Because we're going to have to hit our ratepayers with a massive, and I mean massive, 50 to 60 rate variation.
"Our finances are in a perilous position. And we can't seem to get the government to listen."
A Boundaries Commission spokesperson said they were pleased with community participation in the Cootamundra and Gundagai public hearings
"The Commission will now consider all of the information received on behalf of the community as well as the reports prepared by Professor Drew and report to the Minister in due course," the spokesperson said.
"The Commission thanks the community for their genuine engagement in the process."
Catie McLeod
Catie is a reporter at The Daily Advertiser covering health and Wagga City Council. You can contact her on c.mcleod@dailyadvertiser.com.au or 0475 819 651.
Catie is a reporter at The Daily Advertiser covering health and Wagga City Council. You can contact her on c.mcleod@dailyadvertiser.com.au or 0475 819 651.
