Leichhardt council: we are ‘Fit for the Future’

By Tang Li

Leichhardt councillors have voiced concerns that forced amalgamations could start later this year with the re-election of the Baird Government.

Leichhardt Council’s public consultation meeting on the risks of council amalgamations was scheduled for last Wednesday April 22 but postponed due to severe weather.

Speakers planned for the event included the mayor and key council staff, along with Morrison Low, the authors of the Shared Modelling Report that outlined implications of local government reform.

Despite being a strong and financially sound council as confirmed by Government analysis, Leichhardt Mayor Rochelle Porteous said the council was at an extreme risk of being amalgamated.

“The amalgamation of Leichhardt into a mega-council would mean the loss of accessible and meaningful local representation, significantly higher costs, higher rates for many, a potential loss of services, the selling off of council facilities, the loss of many local jobs and the loss of local advocacy on behalf of local residents and businesses,” she said.

Under the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future policy, each council will assess its current scale, capacity and performance. According to its website, for some councils this will include considering a merger with their neighbours.

While NSW Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton said this policy would not force any amalgamations, Mayor Porteous believes otherwise.

“The timeline of the Fit for the Future’s plans to amalgamate councils is very fast and could see amalgamations start in the later part of 2015,” she said.

Despite being a relatively small council, Labor councillor Simon Emsley believes Leichhardt has a strong case that shows it is ‘Fit for the Future’ as they were in touch with the local community.

“They [the community] must have confidence in the local government which they don’t have in the state and federal governments. Approachability and small-scale grassroots is valued by the community,” Clr Emsley said.

According to Liberal councillor Vera-Ann Hannaford, Leichhardt Council provides “more local services” than the other five councils that the  ‘Fit for the Future’ policy proposes Leichhardt Council amalgamate with.

“This will mean a loss of amenity for our residents which is one reason that the majority endorse no change.”

Besides posing a threat to residents, amalgamations would also seriously threaten local democracy, according to Greens member for Balmain Jamie Parker.

“The fact that the Liberal Government didn’t rule out forced amalgamations this time demonstrates local democracy is under threat by this government, because what amalgamations will ultimately do is cost ratepayers more and reduce their voice in local government.”

Leichhardt Council has reiterated that there had been no empirical evidence produced that proves a larger council would be more financially sustainable.

“The proposed pot of funds for Councils who are deemed ‘Fit for the Future’ should be distributed to all existing councils to compensate for the cost shifting on projects from the other tiers of government,” Clr Hannaford said.

A substitute meeting will be held on Thursday 7 May, 6pm at Balmain Town Hall.