Merger Talks Between Dungog And Port Stephens Councils On Again

BY IAN CROUCH

A merger between Dungog and Port Stephens Councils could be back on the cards.

Councillors on the new Dungog Council have voted unanimously to approach Port Stephens with a view to a voluntary amalgamation.

A poll taken during the recent council elections showed just over 55 percent of Dungog residents were in favour of the move.

However, the new mayor of Port Stephens, Ryan Palmer stood for election on a firm no-merger position, but it's understood he's open to looking at ways the two councils can work together without a formal merger.

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer

Dungog Mayor Tracy Norman Picture: dungogchronicle.com.au

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.

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