Gladys tiptoes through the bush, bulldozes the city

BY JESSICA HILL

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has announced that city councils will still be forced to merge, despite a decision to end the forced merger of regional councils.

Woollahra Council is disappointed that the proposed merger with Randwick and Waverly Councils will go ahead.

The Mayor of Woollahra, Councillor Toni Zeltzer, accused the NSW Government of double standards in a press release.

“It’s unbelievable that the NSW Government would adopt one policy for the country and another for the city,” she said.

“We do not understand how the Premier and Minister for Local Government, Gabrielle Upton – in her very own electorate – have turned their back on our community.”

James Keulemans, Liberal Councillor for Woollahra, said extra consideration must be made for rural areas.

He said the cost savings from council mergers don’t outweigh the value of councils serving smaller population over a large remote areas.

Councillor Keulemans said Woollahra Council should now focus on moving forwards with the merger plan to create Eastern Beaches Council.

“I think we need to work with Randwick and Waverley on delivering a new Eastern Beaches Council that delivers for the community,” he said.

Councillor Keulemans said rate costing is a key consideration for residents under the proposed merger.

“The Woollahra community has been opposed to the merger proposal but I don’t believe it supports any further attempts at a legal challenge in the High Court of Australia.”

“We’ve had two umpire decisions; one in the Land and Environment Court and the other in the Appeals Court and on both occasions, lost. I think the community now wishes to move forwards.”

Minister Gabrielle Upton, Minister for Local Government and Member for Vaucluse, told City Hub she is in full support of the merging of Woollahra, Waverly and Randwick Councils.

She said the creation of the new Eastern Beaches Council is going to result in better services and infrastructure and believes it is the best way to support the community.

“Since I’ve recently been appointed Local Government Minister I’ve had the opportunity to meet and speak with many stakeholders including councillors, administrators, union representatives and ratepayers. To listen and learn,” she said. “Communities tell me they care about parks, services and value for their rates.” Minister Upton said the merger would deliver better value for ratepayers across the state.

Geoff Rundle, the Founder of Residents First Woollahra, said the merger would come at a financial cost to the council. “I can’t see any great savings. By the time we make all the staff redundant and re-employ some of them you spend a lot of money,” he said.

“If Randwick and Waverly were able to gang together then Woollahra wont have a look in.”

Woollahra Council has spent over $1 million in legal fees and community information campaigns in its fight against the forced merger.

Mayor Toni Zeltzer said Woollahra Council would continue with their leave of application in the High Court.