TENTERFIELD Shire Council will have to put together a plan to show how it will remain viable into the future under new NSW government requirements.
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Responding to the Independent Local Government Review Panel’s recommendations on the local government sector, all NSW councils have been ordered to piece together a plan going forward.
The new Fit for the Future program will see money offered to councils that merge and cheaper finance available for councils once they complete the plan.
“This package presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve what we do and the services we offer to our communities and modernise local government,” Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said.
While the government has reaffirmed its policy of no forced amalgamations, the reform program includes $258 million to help councils that choose to do so.
Original recommendations by the Independent Local Government Review Panel in April last year suggested Tenterfield merge with Glen Severn.
However, the latest findings by the panel back flipped suggesting “no change” for either council.
Glen Severn mayor Colin Price said he remained against an amalgamation with Tenterfield saying there would be “little to gain”.
“The word amalgamation is not used in the documentation. The word merger is used and Tenterfield Shire Council is not identified as a council to merge with another council. However, that does not preclude council from exploring such an option should council so wish,” Tenterfield Shire Council general manager Lotta Jackson said.
There will be up to $600 million in potential savings for Fit for the Future councils to invest in local infrastructure, $5.3 million to help the establishment of new Joint Regional Organisations of councils and up to $100 million in cuts to red tape.
Last Wednesday Mr Marshall met with the Local Government Minister Paul Toole and pressed home the importance of having an opportunity for Northern Tablelands’ councils to have the reform package thoroughly explained.
A meeting of New England councils will be held in Armidale on September 22 to discuss the proposals.
“As the local MP I want to continue to work closely with all councils in the Northern Tablelands and build on the strengthening relationships in the region to ensure every council is Fit for the Future,” Mr Marshall said.
“The mayor and I will attend the meeting in Armidale on September 22. We will seek clarification on the various options in the documentation so that we can inform the other councillors as well,” council GM Lotta Jackson said.
Over $13 million will be made available to support councillors that lead the transition to a new council while $4 million could aide councils with a population of less than 10,000 to develop innovative ways of working.
There are also plans to improve laws governing councils and strengthen relationships between local governments and the state.
The promise of a State borrowing facility to fund local infrastructure has also been dangled in front of councils.
“This facility would allow councils to borrow money much cheaper than commercial rates, backed by NSW Treasury Corp with a Triple A credit rating,” Mr Marshall said.
NSW Premier Mike Baird said Fit for the Future was ‘‘the most significant investment the state has ever made in the local government sector.’’
Opposition Local Government spokeswoman Sophie Cotsis accused the Coalition of coercing councils to amalgamate by offering them money to help with mergers.
Tenterfield Shire Council will submit their future proposals by next June.