RURAL advocacy groups want state government to promise its Far West Initiative is not an amalgamation by stealth that could see local decisions taken out of the hands of local people.
Other representatives say consultation on the wide-reaching reforms has been inadequate, with more detail needed on the funding of a fourth tier of government for Western NSW.
The Far West Initiative proposes reforming eight western councils by placing a Regional Authority above them, taking on some of their functions including interactions with state and federal governments.
Chair of NSW Farmers’ Western Division Council, Greg Roger, said he feared those councils could become extinct.
“We are concerned that this is amalgamation by stealth and that councils may be eventually dissolved once this new fourth layer of government is well established,” Mr Roger said.
He also questioned the funding source of the proposed Regional Authority.
“Who will foot the bill for this fourth layer?
“If the cost of this additional body is foisted upon rate payers, now or in the future, then it will hardly make the provision of services in the western division more efficient,” he said.
Who will foot the bill for this fourth layer? If the cost of this additional body is foisted upon rate payers, now or in the future, then it will hardly make the provision of services in the western division more efficient. It is critical that the funding model is clear and well designed.
- NSW Farmers western division chairman Greg Roger
“It is critical that the funding model is clear and well designed.”
The councils included in the Far West Initiative are Broken Hill, Central Darling, Bourke, Brewarrina, Walgett, Balranald, Wentworth, and Cobar.
Their combined area covers 40 per cent of the state and about 50,000 residents.
Country Women's Association of NSW president and White Cliffs farmer Annette Turner likened proposed Far West Initiative plans to the Local Land Services reforms of 2014.
“It’s a different issue, but there are commonalities around the representation concerns,” Mrs Turner said.
“LLS has a mix of elected and appointed people on their boards,” she said.
“And this is what is being proposed in this reform.
“The CWA believes a board made up of elected and unelected members with differing ideas and needs covering such a huge diverse area will be unworkable.”
Local Goverment Minister Paul Toole, who is leading the reforms, has said they are not designed to take power away from councils.
“The conversation with Far West councils has been going on for some time,” he said. “But it’s vitally important that we hear directly from the community," Mr Toole said.
“I’m looking forward to reviewing all the issues raised by residents, councils and community groups as we all move forward.”
Government established the Far West Initiative in 2014 as part of its Fit for the Future reforms to improve the sustainability of the large and isolated councils.
Mr Toole met with councils, state government and non-government organisations throughout 2014 and 2015.
But the CWA of NSW and the Isolated Childrens’ Parent’s Association were not among them.
The Far West Initiative Advisory Committee released a consultation and background paper in August detailing the preferred way forward.
ICPA president Kate Treweeke said she was surprised her group was not asked to contribute.
“(The issues paper) identifies limited education opportunities as an issue for the Far West Initiative and, considering that we have been lobbying for 45 years for equitable access to education, it is surprising we were not consulted,” she said. Mrs Turner was also unimpressed with what she deemed a lack of communication from government.
“The CWA is concerned with the consultation on this issue to date.
“For such an important reform piece, it is critical that residents have their voice heard,” she said.
The advisory committee is chaired by former Nationals’ Murray-Darling MP John Williams, and features council and non-government organisation representatives.
The committee's consultation and background papers say the Regional Authority could undertake functions on behalf of member councils, apply for grants, raise revenue and expend funds, enter into contracts and partnership agreements with the state and commonwealth governments, the non-government sector, industry and business.
The papers are on public display and submissions are currently being taken.
Community feedback meetings in September and October were disrupted by flooding.
Mr Roger said another round of consultation should take place.
“Given the cost implications of a proposed fourth layer of government, we suggest a secondary period of consultation is necessary, once the government has settled on a more complete funding model,” he said.
Mrs Turner said she feared government was missing an opportunity to streamline three tiers of government and create new and innovative support initiatives.
“We need to get back on track with the original vision for the far west instead of simply talking about the detail of yet another level of potentially unneeded and expensive bureaucracy.”