No forced mergers, but future still unclear for councils identified in Far West Initiative

EIGHT councils in Far West NSW will not merge – and were “never considered” for forced amalgamations – but state government has not ruled out adding a fourth layer of bureaucracy to manage them. 

This afternoon Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton issued a statement “confirming government’s commitment to councils and communities of Far Western NSW” following the close of the Far West Initiative consultation period. 

The Far West Initiative – part of state government’s Fit for the Future push – has proposed reforming eight western councils by placing a Regional Authority above them, taking on some of their functions including interactions with state and federal governments.

But despite ruling out mergers between Balranald, Bourke, Brewarrina, Broken Hill, Central Darling, Cobar, Walgett and Wentworth councils, there is little word on what path the reforms will take. 

Community and farmer groups shared concerns last year that the process was an “amalgamation by stealth” that could see local decisions taken out of the hands of local people. 

Others said more detail was needed on how a potential fourth tier of government would be funded. 

Government consulted extensively with Far Western communities from September to December last year about future governance reform options for the region, reaching 1000 residents.

Feedback from the consultation “is being considered”.

“The NSW Government wants to deliver better value for our ratepayers across the state,” Ms Upton said. 

“The Far West Initiative is about all levels of government working together to ensure communities get better access to services.”

Mr Barilaro confirmed that mergers were never considered for the eight Far West councils.

“I encourage the councils attending next week’s Western Division Councils of NSW Annual Conference to use the opportunity to discuss how the Far West Initiative can move forward.”

The Far West region covers around 40 per cent of the land area of NSW and has a population of around 48,000 people, less than one per cent of the total NSW population.

Most of the local government areas consist of communities with 2000 to 7000 people, except the Unincorporated Area, which had a population of 700 at the 2011 Census, and Broken Hill, which has a population of 19,000.