If Forced to Merge, Two Northern Beaches Councils Preferred
17 November, 2015: Pittwater Council
Pittwater Council has reaffirmed its preference for the status quo; however it will be submitting a second merger preference that, if supported by the State Government, could see the three councils on Sydney’s northern beaches merge to become two new local government entities.
At its meeting last night, Council re-affirmed its opposition to forced amalgamation of councils in New South Wales and its commitment to local government remaining local and ensuring local democracy.
Pittwater Mayor Jacqueline Townsend said the resolution on merger preferences was possibly the hardest decision ever made by Pittwater Council.
“With the State Government looking like it’s pressing ahead with mergers, and our preference for the status quo rejected by IPART, we would be doing our community an injustice if we didn’t submit a further merger preference,” Cr Townsend said.
With that, Pittwater Council will submit a first preference to stand alone; a second preference to merge Pittwater with part of Warringah to achieve two councils on the northern beaches; and a third preference to also merge Pittwater with part of Warringah, that would achieve two councils in the SHOROC region.
In both the second and third preferences, redefining Pittwater Council would involve the relocation of Pittwater’s boundary to include Terrey Hills, Narrabeen, Collaroy, Collaroy Plateau, Cromer, Oxford Falls, Frenchs Forest, Duffys Forrest, Belrose and Davidson, with the remaining suburbs of Warringah merging with Manly.
“Having two equally balanced and specialised councils that focus on the delivery of local infrastructure and services and partnering with the State Government to achieve regional outcomes, is a much better option than one council for the people of Pittwater and people across the northern beaches,” she said.
“Our community fought long and hard for Pittwater’s independence only 23 years back, so getting to this position has not been easy or taken lightly.
Mayor Townsend said the ‘Greater Pittwater’ option was a strong second preference for the Pittwater community with 74 percent of residents choosing this as an alternate option.
“We remain committed to an independent Pittwater Council providing local representation and delivery of local services to the people of Pittwater on current boundaries.”
To date Warringah Council continues to push for a mega council; however the claimed savings that will be achieved with the one council model have been discredited by independent analysis undertaken by Ernst & Young and commissioned by IPART, as well as our own analysis undertaken by KPMG.
Further analysis by KPMG has shown that a two-council model will meet all future financial benchmarks.
“It’s thoroughly disappointing that Warringah hasn’t moved beyond self-interest and isn’t open to other solutions that focus on equitable outcomes for the northern beaches. With Warringah maintaining its stand we will see the northern beaches lose out on the financial benefits the NSW Government is offering to assist communities with the change.
“As well as providing the opportunity for greater size and scale whilst retaining a modest population density, it’s estimated the two councils will provide a net financial impact to the region of $3.3 million over a ten year period,” Cr Townsend added.
All Sydney councils have been given until midnight 18 November to submit their merger preferences before the Government makes their final decision. For ‘unfit’ councils—of which Pittwater is one—that don’t submit a preference, IPART’s original recommendation is their likely fate.
