NSW Government accused of misleading Dungog Councillors

BY JARROD MELMETH

Ahead of the second Dungog merger meeting tonight, the New South Wales Government have been accused of misleading Councillors about the availability of funding should a voluntary merger with Port Stephens be agreed.

The Deputy Premier has reportedly told Dungog Councillors that he will advocate within Cabinet for the funding.

However, a written answer to the Shadow Minister for Local Government has advised that the funding is not available to councils that did not merge as part of the "Fit for the Future" process, and that the allocated funding has now been returned to Treasury.

Shadow Minister for the Hunter Kate Washington said Councillors are being made to make a decision void of information.

"The State Government has not provided information that they need in order to make a responsible decision and I do not see the rush in getting this through tonight.

"I do not envy the position that the Dungog Councillors have been placed in. They have been starved of resources by the State Government. It has left them vulnerable to predators and they are now in a situation where they are trying to determine what is really in the best interest of their community," Ms Washington said.

Ms Washington also alluded to the fact that if Dungog and Port Stephens did merge, $15 million in State Government funding would not put a dent in Dungogs' $40 million infrastructure backlog.

Dungog Councillors recently voted against merging with Port Stephens in a 5-4 vote. However, the issue will come back to Council on tonight after the resignation of the Deputy Mayor Tony Mackenzie.

The resignation of Mr McKenzie who voted against the motion to merge, leaves open the possibility of a 4-4 vote at tonight's meeting, which in the event of a tied vote amongst councillors, the ruling will be given to Mayor Harold Johnson who initially supported the motion.

Source: Dungog Chronicle.

Will Dungog vote to merge this time?

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Just two weeks after councillors narrowly decided aginst merging, Dungog will meet again tomorrow to vote on the possible merger with Port Stephens.

A $15 million rescue package from the state government is at stake which could be put back on the table if the councils agree to merge voluntarily.

In the vote two weeks ago, councillors voted 5-4 against the move, but tomorrow's outcome could be quite different.

Since the vote, Councillor Tony Mackenzie has resigned on medical grounds and Mayor Harold Johnston has reportedly now changed his mind to vote in favour of the merge.

Deputy Premier, John Barilaro says he'll go into bat for the funding if council agrees to merge.

Image abc.net.au

Dungog and Port Stephens merger a no go

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

Dungog Councillors voted against a merger with Port Stephens at a meeting overnight, despite concerns the town could struggle in the future.

Without help from Dungog's neighbour, the town could struggle to provide services and infrastructure.

A delegation comprising of the council's general manager, mayor and deputy will now instead seek more information about the proposed merger and look to Maitland to look into their views on linking up.

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They will also look at splitting the shire and retaining Dungog's independence.

Councillors also voted last night to put the merger plan to the people and conduct a poll at the next election to gauge ratepayers opinion on the issues.

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzie Supports Dungog and Port Stephens Amalgamation

BY SARAH JAMES

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.

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzie

Dungog Residents Big Losers In Merger: Report

BY IAN CROUCH

It's been revealed Dungog residents could've been left without a local councillor to represent them if the merger with Maitland Council had gone ahead.

A report to the former Local Government Minister last April has been made public which recommended the merger go ahead because the financial advantages outweighed the disadvantages.

However there was no guarantee Dungog councillors would've been part of the merged council, with the smaller shire to be completely absorbed by Maitland under the suggested amalgamation.

Earlier this month, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced plans to merge regional councils have been scrapped.

Port Stephens Mayor Wants Voluntary Merger With Dungog Council

BY IAN CROUCH & JARROD MELMETH

There's speculation Port Stephens and Dungog councils could still merge despite the state government ruling out forced amalgamations in the Hunter.

Plans to merge Port Stephens and Newcastle Councils have now been officially dropped.

However, Port Stephens Mayor, Bruce MacKenzie says linking up with the struggling Dungog Council could still be on the cards.

"..and I know some people don't go along with that - some sort of voluntary merger between Dungog and Port Stephens - that's if both councils agree. Probably Port Stephens might agree but I think Dungog are still living in fantasy land that they can stand alone. Well, if they stand alone, they are not going to provide adequate services to the people of Dungog," he said.

Dungog Mayor, Harold Johnston has responded saying Port Stephens and Dungog are two completely different councils.

"Port Stephens is a large coastal council, we are a small rural council.

"We don't have that much really in connection with them [Port Stephens], we have much more in connection with Maitland through transport, schools, shopping, medical and education," he said.

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzie