Port Stephens councillors have supported a Mayoral Minute which will the Council write to the NSW Government in support of a voluntary amalgamation with Dungog Shire Council.
Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzine said the merger would be a natural fit and bring together like-minded communities, as opposed to merging with Newcastle.
95.3% of Port Stephens residents supported a merge with Dungog over Newcastle and 21.6% of all Dungog residents signed a petition in favour of a merge.
Mayor MacKenzie went on to say the merge will future-proof Port Stephens by increasing the scale and capacity of the council. The amalgamation will also be of benefit to both Councils.
"I think the advantages for Dungog are that we can help with planning matters, health and building matters, clerical matters, library matters, and I think it has a lot to offer jointly between Dungog and Port Stephens as far as tourism is concerned," said Mayor MacKenzie.
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| Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzie |
