What could the proposed Council mergers across NSW mean for the Mid-North Coast?
The Local Government Minister, Don Page, has publicly stated he believes that 152 local councils across NSW is an unsustainable number. Mr Page has been quoted as saying, “It’s not an option to stay as we are — we have to change in order to be sustainable into the future.” City Councils, Gosford and Wyong Councils are expected to be targeted for amalgamation into Super Councils. Western NSW Councils with small numbers of ratepayers and large networks of roads are expected to be amalgamated.
If Local Government Areas are amalgamated into Super Councils, what does this mean for the ratepayers? If we look at the Gold Coast Super Council, it means rate and water bill spikes and a decrease in day-to-day operating efficiencies. That Council area is bigger than Tasmania, has a budget of $1.3 billion and Council staff levels have soared above 3000 bureaucrats. Councillors have much less contact with residents. The Mayor is on a salary of $212,000 plus a car, expense account and smartphone whilst Councillors have much less contact with residents.
It would be naive to assume that local government amalgamations will not affect the Mid-North Coast of NSW. If all Councils were to have similar numbers of residents, will this number be set at the Blacktown Council population of 313,000? If that were to happen, look at the scenario for the Mid-North Coast:
nPort Macquarie Hastings Council local government area has a population around 70,000
nGreater Taree City Council local government area has a population around 50,000
nKempsey Shire local government area has a population around 30,000
nGreat Lakes Council local government area has a population around 35,000
nNambucca Shire local government area has a population around 20,000
nBellingen Shire local government area has a population around 15,000
nCoffs Harbour City Council local government area has a population around 70,000
The amalgamated pop-ulation of all these local government areas is 290,000. This certainly could not be called local government. No wonder the Mayor and Councillors are paid so well, they need to dedicate a full-time effort to the job.
Colleen Carmody
Port Macquarie
