The future of Guyra Shire Council will be discussed with the community at a Public Meeting, to be held on Monday, 25 May 2015 from 6.00pm at the Guyra Community Hall.
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Councillors urge as many people as possible to come along to this meeting, enjoy a free sausage sizzle and talk about our future.
Guyra Shire Council has resolved to complete the Rural Council proposal under the Fit For the Future process and is expecting a large public response at the meeting.
So far the survey results have indicated that more than 80% of Shire residents surveyed are against the recommendation made by the Independent Local Government Review Panel to amalgamate with Armidale Dumaresq Council, and more than 60% would accept a 30% rate rise if the Council was to remain independent.
A cavalcade of Council’s plant and equipment – from graders to mowers – will be lit-up and on display outside the Community Hall, demonstrating the extent of Council’s services and the critical role it plays in providing employment and governance for the Shire.
The evening will also provide an opportunity for the community to engage with Council staff to better understand the extensive number of services provided with limited staff. Mayor of Guyra Shire Council, Cr Hans Hietbrink, said the threat of amalgamation is a real possibility and jobs and services are on the line. “The community has expressed its strong desire to retain its independence, however with independence may come rate rises and operational changes,” Cr Hietbrink said.
This meeting is an opportunity to explain the outcomes of becoming a ‘Rural Council’, get further public reaction to the changes and share ideas in order to put our best foot forward to the State Government.
“We want to show that the community may be small, but we are strong, united and will fight for independence.”
Government shows its hand on forced amalgamations The NSW Government showed its hand last week after the Minister for Local Government told Parliament that the Government would not support a motion against forced amalgamations.
This admission came during a debate on a motion by Independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich, that: “This House opposes the amalgamation of councils that are financially sustainable and have the support of their communities”.
Following this disclosure, the Argus sought comment from both Mayor Hans Hietbrink and the General Manager of Guyra Shire Council, Peter Stewart. “It was inevitable that the current Government would not commit to a ‘no forced amalgamations’ position.
To do so would constrain the government in implementing a reform agenda across Local Government. That, however, does not provide Councils with any feeling of security. Guyra Shire Council has faced the prospect of a forced amalgamation on a number of occasions.
Each time in the past Council has been able to retain its autonomy through putting forward a strong case for non-amalgamation, coupled with very strong community support for remaining as we are.
I think that under the ‘Fit for the Future’ scenario we will be under much greater pressure to be amalgamated as per the recommendations of the Local Government Review panel. For this reason it is imperative that members of the community attend the various public meetings being held throughout the Shire over the next week and get behind Council in our efforts to build a submission that conveys our wishes,” Mayor Hans Hietbrink stated. General Manager of Guyra Shire Council, Peter Stewart said:
“This is the first time in over a decade that State government policy is not ruling out forced amalgamations. This was not the current Government’s position prior to the March State election so it is reasonable to conclude that a change in policy position is a clear signal that some councils are being looked at for forced amalgamation.
From a Guyra council perspective and with the recommendation from the latest state review for an amalgamation with Armidale Dumaresq Council, our community once again must show by community support backed by a business case that we do not want this merger.
We have well over 80% support from surveys not wanting to merge with Armidale Dumaresq, with comments highlighting that we are a vastly different cultural and economic community and therefore want to retain our local democracy and identity. To strengthen the case we must have big numbers turn up on next Monday evening, 25 May at the Guyra community centre at 6.00pm and at all our villages during the week. A packed community centre and rural villages supporting our Rural Council submission and saying NO to an amalgamation is critical in validating council’s submission to the NSW Government.”