They say a week’s a long time in politics, and local government in NSW is no exception at the moment. The local government reform process has moved rather quickly since IPART released its assessment of NSW Councils back in November.
Recent History…
In December 2015 the Minister for Local Government released 35 Merger Proposals, involving 65 NSW councils, and in January 2016 outlined the process by which these Proposals would be assessed. The Proposals have been referred to the Chief Executive of the Office of Local Government (OLG), who has in turn delegated responsibility for their assessment to 18 Delegates whom we understand will report their findings by May 2016. Individual Delegates will hold public inquiries into the Proposals for which they have responsibility during February and prepare their respective reports for comment by the independent Boundaries Commission. The Minister has indicated that he will consider the information so provided and announce his determination before the end of June, with the intention that the new Councils will commence operating on 1 July 2016.
While the precise details are unclear, it is believed that current councillors would most likely be dismissed, and the new Councils would operate under administration until new elections, which would be delayed until March 2017.
The Proposal Assessment Process
It may be a slightly cynical comment, but it would appear that we are following a process simply because legislation requires that the process be followed. As it stands, provided this process is followed, the Minister has plenty of room to move with respect to the decision he ultimately makes—he is under no obligation to adopt any particular recommendation that comes out of the process.
The ‘process’, however, is constrained in that it only allows for the consideration of a Proposal, or a ‘minor amendment’ thereof. It cannot consider anything more.
The Proposal that the Minister presented in relation to Palerang was to divide our LGA between Goulburn and Queanbeyan, in spite of the fact that, for the duration of the Fit for the Future exercise we had been advised that no consideration would be given to boundary adjustments, only full mergers. The main problem here is that a full merger is not considered to be a ‘minor amendment’ to the current Proposal, so the present process cannot comment on whether or not the proposed division of Palerang is more of less appropriate than a full merger. It is in recognition of this fact that Palerang Council has forwarded an alternate Proposal—for the full merger of Palerang and Queanbeyan—to the Minister for consideration.
Council’s Preferred Option Unchanged
It is important here to note the, perhaps subtle, difference between a Proposal and the position held by Council on the matter. Council’s resolved position remains to stand alone as an independent Council, and this is the position that Council will continue to prosecute in its representations. The only option presented by the Minster, however, was to divide Palerang between Goulburn and Queanbeyan—he did not provide for the option of merging Palerang wholly with a single neighbour. The only way this option could be considered in the present process was for someone, either the Minister himself, Palerang Council or residents, through a petition, to lodge such a Proposal.
The reason that Council has forwarded the full merger Proposal is because it believes this to be a better outcome for our community than dividing the current LGA—it is Council’s preferred fall-back position from its preference to remain as an independent council. How much attention this Proposal gets is, however, entirely up to the Minister.
If your head is spinning at this point, I’m sure you’re not alone. I’m not entirely convinced that anyone was ever intended to be able to understand exactly what was going on…
No Special Rate Variation Regardless
As a footnote that will no doubt please some residents, the Special Rate Variation (SRV) that was under consideration by Council is now firmly off the table. Regardless of Council’s position, the OLG has directed that no council involved in a Merger Proposal will be eligible for an SRV in the coming year. The State Government has also stated that there will be no change to any existing ‘rate path’ for a period of four years following any merger. How outstanding works will be funded in the interim and what financial considerations might come into play at the end of that period will be a matter for consideration by the Council of the day.
Public Inquiries
The bottom line is that the ball is now very much in the hands of Palerang residents. The only remaining opportunities to influence the Minister’s decision will now be through the associated Public Inquiries and lobbying the local member, John Barilaro.
Two, independent public inquiries are being held into the Goulburn and Queanbeyan Proposals, even though both involve the mutually dependent division of Palerang. Please note that you must register to either attend or speak at either of these Inquiries by Friday 5 February 2016. Written submissions will however be accepted until 5.00pm 28 February 2016 (see Boundary Review website for details).
Goulburn–Palerang Merger Inquiry
The Inquiry into the Goulburn–Palerang merger Proposal will he held in Braidwood and Goulburn on Tuesday 9 February. Meetings will be held at the Braidwood Services Club from 9.00am–12.00noon, and the Goulburn Golf Club from 2.00–6.00pm.
Queanbeyan–Palerang Merger Inquiry
The Inquiry into the Queanbeyan–Palerang merger Proposal will he held in Braidwood and Queanbeyan on Thursday 11 February. Meetings will be held at the Braidwood Services Club from 1.00–4.00pm, and the Comfort Inn Airport International, Queanbeyan, from 7.00–10.00pm.