Minister of Local Government Paul Toole is assessing councils’ submissions into the report by the Independent Local Government Review Panel on revitalising local government.

 “All councils know they have to do things better to provide effective services to the communities they represent and take steps to ensure they are financially viable,” a spokesman for Mr Toole said.

The spokesman didn’t respond specifically about a possible independent review into the finances of Armidale Dumaresq Council.

However he did say: “The Minister for Local Government continuously monitors all councils in NSW.” In 2013, the state government commissioned the NSW Treasury Corporation to undertake an independent financial assessment of all councils, including Armidale.

The spokesman said if ratepayers are concerned about their council, then they should address these to the council though the general manager or elected councillors.

“Ultimately, each council is responsible for ensuring that it is operating in a financially sustainable manner,” the spokesman said.

Meanwhile Mr Toole was encouraging councils to consider the recommendations of the report and to consider if they would “voluntarily amalgamate”.

These recommendations included there be “structural reforms – including council amalgamations” to make local governments more efficient. 

It also outlined “the process of considering possible amalgamations and boundary changes needs to be overhauled, and a package of incentives introduced to encourage voluntary mergers”.