COLLABORATION, not amalgamation, is the official word after a roundtable meeting between local and State governments to discuss concerns about council boundaries.
Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall and the Minister for Local Government Don Page hosted a round table meeting on December 3, at Armidale, to discuss the future direction of councils in the New England.
Armidale Dumaresq, Guyra, Glen Innes, Gwydir, Inverell, Uralla, Tenterfield and Walcha councils, along with New England Weeds Authority representatives, put questions and concerns to the minister and Mr Marshall about their council and local governments.
The minister assured councils there would be no forced amalgamations.
“To do this successfully we need to make our councils financially sustainable, so it is vital they work together to improve their efficiency,” Mr Page said.
He said this could be done by sharing services, expertise and resources.
“It’s no longer a matter of choice; councils must work more collaboratively to achieve these efficiencies.”
Mr Marshall said Mr Page also discussed the issue of the soon-to be-released final report from the Independent Local Government Review Panel.
“Mr Page outlined his vision and discussed the importance of strong local government which is vital to the health of our local communities,” Mr Marshall said.
“As promised, there will be no forced amalgamations which means local democracy and identity are maintained, however, councils have to look more regionally in the delivery of services, procurement and infrastructure.”
Uralla Shire Council general manager Tom O’Connor said the councils were pleased to hear there would be no forced amalgamations.
“We were deemed for our population to be in decline, sustainably weak and had a high chance of merging with Armidale, Walcha and Guyra Councils,” Mr O’Con-nor said.
“We’re a manageable council and we see ourselves as financially viable and sustainable.”
Uralla has a shire population of about 6200 and as of August 2012, became members of Namoi Council – a resource sharing organisation of six councils – that collaborates an electricity tender, water alliance and human reso-urces.
Mr O’Connor said Namoi Council was an example of council’s working together and sharing resources, while each retained independent local governments.
Inverell Shire Council mayor Paul Harmon commended Mr Marshall’s enthusiasm in keeping State government in the loop with council concerns.
“To have two and a half hours with the minister was so valuable to our councils and it was all thanks to our members eagerness,” Mr Harmon said.
“While this was our first, I’d like to see more meetings like this.
“I understand that a minister’s time is valuable and it is hard to schedule in time like this, but we would love the opportunity to sit down again, no matter which minister, and discuss local issues.”
Cr Harmon said councillors also discussed council elections, county councils and water and sewage governance.
