LOCAL government has the opportunity to shape its own future, Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson says as the sector's peak body scrutinises parties' policies on forced council mergers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The state opposition "confirmed its commitment to no forced amalgamations" in front of 745 delegates at Local Government NSW's annual conference but "it was troubling" the government had not matched it, organisation president Keith Rhoades said.
He said local government minister Paul Toole had addressed the conference - attended by a number of Dubbo councillors.
Mr Toole had given an overview of the government's Fit for the Future package and the resources that would soon be made available to councils to prepare reform proposals.
But Cr Rhoades said there was "no assurance that councils would not be forced to merge" if they were not willing or if their proposals, due by June next year, were rejected.
When the Daily Liberal asked delegates from Dubbo if having heard from Mr Toole and Premier Mike Baird they feared the government would back away from its policy of no forced amalgamations if councils did not fall in line with Fit for the Future, Cr Dickerson urged a different focus.
The Dubbo mayor said while the government's policy "may well change" in the next term, there was also opportunity for councils to shape the future.
It was clear from both Mr Baird and Mr Toole that "doing nothing was not an option", Cr Dickerson said.
"The 'no forced amalgamation' policy may well change in the next term of government but I think that focusing on that issue misses the point," Cr Dickerson said.
"The real point from the government is that they believe local government needs reform and the responsibility for that change is in our hands.
"Keep in mind that amalgamations are not the only option.
"Joint Organisations are obviously an important option as well.
"The most important item is to have options available for councils and to think about those options rather than become stuck in doing things the same old way."
Earlier this month Dubbo City Council resolved to take part in an expression of interest from the Orana Regional Organisation of Councils (OROC) to be a pilot region for a Joint Organisation under Fit for the Future.
