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 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.

Hunter councils still face uncertain future

BY JARROD MELMETH

Uncertainty about the proposed council mergers in the Hunter will continue to be drawn out with local council elections possibly being pushed back to 2020 if something isn't done soon.

The office of local government has written to the four hunter councils facing amalgamation, warning them that unless mergers are finalized by August next year, they could be waiting until 2020 for an election.

New councils not created before August 2017, would not be able to hold elections before September 2019 to prevent an overlap with the 2019 state election.

The state opposition is demanding the minister for local government move urgently to determine council mergers in the Hunter to avoid a four-year wait for the next election.

Leader of the Opposition Luke Foley says democracy delayed is democracy denied.

"In Orange, constituents have demonstrated how unpopular forced mergers are. The Government needs to listen - not delay local elections," he said.

Councils that are still subject to merger proposals are being told they need to have an election date set.

The electoral commission or the local government office have not confirmed whether these councils would have elections within their existing boundaries.

Shadow Minister for Local Councils Peter Primrose is accusing the Baird government of making this up as they go along.

"The gun is still being held at the head of local councils and their local communities.

"This is just an ongoing dog's breakfast of a process. People aren't being consulted and now they're being told they may not have elections until September 2020, that is just a crazy thing in terms of local democracy

"Mike Baird can be sure that the communities that have been denied democracy will send a message come 2019," Mr. Primrose said.

A spokesperson for the Minister for Local Government, Paul Toole says "the minister is considering all proposals following the receipt of all the Delegates reports and comments from the Boundaries Commission."

NSW Premier Mike Baird was not available for comment.

Shadow Minister for Local Government
Peter Primrose

NSW Leader of the Opposition
Luke Foley.

Liberals Absent From Extraordinary Meetings

BY GARY LYSAGHT

Newcastle Council’s Liberal Councillors have been accused of using obstructive tactics to force a merger between Newcastle and Port Stephens Council after lodging a motion to block legal action against the merger and then failing to turn up to meetings to discuss the motion.

Council has held three extraordinary meetings this week, with the expectation to discuss the motion to rescind legal action only to be halted by the absence of those wanting to stop potential legal action.

Jason Dunn [Image: Newcastle Herald].

“We’re payed an allowance to attend meetings and I don’t think there’s an excuse for any Councillor, particularly a Councillor that has actually brought a motion [to not turn up],” said Deputy Lord Mayor Jason Dunn.

“As elected Councillors, that's what we signed up for.”

“I know I’ve turned up to a meeting before to ensure we have decorum, with an 18 month old child with me, but that’s what you do to make sure Council can function,” he said.

Liberal Councillor Brad Luke was among those who didn’t attend any of this week’s meetings and says he had personal commitments that prevented him from attending.

“Being on Council’s a part-time job, they [Councillors] have other businesses they’re running and jobs they’re doing and they set their life schedule around that meeting schedule,” he said.

Luke also suggested that it wasn’t only Liberal members not attending the extraordinary meetings.

“[Labor] Councillor Tim Crackanthorp has also not been at any meeting this week,” he said.

Liberal Councillors have been critical of the motion to seek legal advice on the proposed merger since it was first suggested, saying it’s unlikely to change anything since the State Government can simply amend anything wrong with the proposal.

Liberal Councillors Brad Luke and Sharon Waterhouse [Image: Newcastle Herald]. 

They've summed it up as a big waste of money.

Jason Dunn has suggested the Councillors critical of the motion should attend the next extraordinary meeting on Thursday, saying they need to make time for that meeting.

“If they’re too busy with work and other commitments, well then, they should really consider their position as a Councillor I would think,” he said.

“It really is a disgraceful situation that these Councillors who are paid to attend these meetings and represent the community can’t be bothered turning up.”

Brad Luke has been critical of the whole situation, suggesting Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes is calling extraordinary meetings for no reason.

“The only time you normally have an extraordinary meeting is in times of great urgency,” he said.

“This is simply the Lord Mayor wanting to waste money on pursuing legal action, suing the State Government.”

Luke also accused the Lord Mayor of “playing political games and carrying on”.

“I think it’s utterly ridiculous the way she is going on with this,” he said. 

Swanson Calls for Merger Answers from Howard

BY GARY LYSAGHT

Labor candidate for Paterson Meryl Swanson has called on her Liberal counterpart, Karen Howard to clarify if she supports forced Council mergers.

It comes after Port Stephens Council launched a campaign to merge with Dungog Council, opposing the Baird Government’s decision to merge them with Newcastle.

Combatants: Meryl Swanson (Labor) & Karen Howard (Right
[Source: The Newcastle Herald]

“If she doesn't commit to the community’s right to vote, she should explain why.

“If she does, she should make representations to the AEC [Australian Electoral Commission] asking them to conduct a ballot of the Port Stephens community,” Swanson said.

However, Karen Howard has played down the importance of the merger in the upcoming Federal election, scheduled for July 2.

“This is a State issue, not a Federal issue,” she said.

But that doesn't mean the Federal Government hasn't been involved in Councils before.

Back in 2007 during the waning days of the Howard Government, Federal legislation was introduced to allow local communities a plebiscite if they were being forced to merge by State Government.

It is on this that Swanson bases her criticisms of Howard as a candidate.

“Given her patchy record on the issue – in February she was in favour of an amalgamation [and] she’s now saying that she’s heard and listened to the people of Port Stephens,” Swanson said.

But Karen Howard sees this as the best way to get the best for your local community.

“A solid candidate makes sure that they listen to their people and I think sometimes amending your view on something mean that you've actually listened,” she said.

“I am now pleased that the [State] Government are now considering a Port Stephens/Dungog Council option [instead of one with Port and Newcastle].”

But while Karen Howard might say it’s not a Federal issue, it is still playing a part in this year’s election.

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce Mackenzie has said Howard might as well “stay at home” if a merger with Dungog doesn't go ahead, implying no one in Port Stephens will vote for her.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has got Council headaches of his own, as Council’s in his seat of Wentworth call on a chance to have a say on forced mergers.

Turnbull confronts Sydnysiders before the July 2 election.
[Source: The Daily Telegraph]

John Howard introduced the law back in 2007 in reaction to then-Labor Premier of Queensland Peter Beattie forced Council amalgamations.

Howard had accused Beattie “riding roughshod” over Queeslanders in a State when the Coalition were expected to lose seats at the ’07 Election to Labor and Kevin Rudd.

State Government to Debate of Port Stephens/Newcastle Merger

The State Government has set a time and date to begin debating over the legitimacy of a merger between Port Stephens and Newcastle Councils.

The debate will take place in NSW Parliament House on March 23

The debate will go ahead at 4.30pm on March 23rd after 10 000 concerned residents signed a petition shown to the Government.

It comes after months of fierce campaigning against the merger by Port Stephens Council, who were deemed Fit for the Future during an evaluation by IPART late last year.

Parliament had a similar debate surrounding two Council's in Sydney, who were also opposed to the merger.

During the debate, Minister for Local Government, Paul Toole said the decisions were based on evidence that suggested the merger was appropriate.

But Port Stephens MP Kate Washington objected to the claims, later saying "these processes had been completely thrown out the window and seen boundaries drawn, like Port Stephens and Newcastle."

Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzie said yesterday that a merger between Dungog and Port Stephens would be more appropriate, but Washington says Council has done to little to late.

"They should have been having these conversations earlier on in the process.

"Out Council had its head in the sand, thinking it was all fine.  But all along, the Government has been asking all Councils to have these discussions."

But Washington is adamant the debate later this month will be an eye-opener for Premier Mike Baird.

"I know it's gonna be a fiery Parliament on the 23rd of March.

"Its just an opportunity to bring it to the Premier's doorstep, and to show him the extent to which our community is opposed to this merger."

Image courtesy of Red Rubble (LINK).