ABOUT $10 million is being touted by the state government as an incentive for voluntary amalgamations, and Guyra and Uralla shire councils are weighing up their options.
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Both councils’ general managers were not taking anything off the table, but admitted detail of the Fit for the Future package was still scarce.
Guyra’s general manager Peter Stewart said his personal response was for the Council to seriously consider how it would approach the suggestion, which emerged following an independent review into local governments.
He said the Council would contemplate the proposal, especially given its current financial state. But if it was to amalgamate he wanted to see it done properly and include a review of shire boundaries.
“If you don’t get it right we don’t want to have to fix it in the next 10 … or 20 years,” Mr Stewart said.
He was highly supportive of more regional co-operation among neighbouring Northern Tablelands councils, noting the airport, roads, water and waste as areas currently being discussed by delegates.
In Uralla new general manager Damien Connor said more regional co-operation, which included the development of what the review called joint organisations, was a given regardless about a decision on amalgamations.
“In recent times it has been [Uralla’s] position to stand alone,” Mr Connor said. “Any decision would have to be based on fact and not emotion.”
He was sceptical about the extent of the incentives to amalgamate, believing the money – which could be up to $13.5 million if four councils joined – would only be enough to cover the costs of a merger.
“I don’t think there will be much change left over,” Mr Connor said.
Any structure future local government will take will mean greater collaboration between the councils, according to Mr Connor.
All councils will now consider the package and submit to the government how they plan to be Fit for the Future.
How it happened - Amalgamation opposition last year.
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