It pays to be united

The USU condemns comments by John Barilaro, the Member for Monaro who is encouraging three major councils in the state’s south east to amalgamate.
Mr Barilaro has identified the Snowy River, Bombala and Cooma-Monaro Shires as three councils who might consider amalgamation.
“Mr Barilaro claims that voluntary amalgamations and adequate resourcing for local government was a key topic at the recent National Party State Conference held in Port Macquarie,” said USU General Secretary Graeme Kelly.
“He also claims that ‘we’ve all lost our way over exactly who’s responsible for what’.
“If this is the case,  I am not sure how amalgamations will improve the situation - and certainly his idea to create a council with an area which is almost the same size as his state seat just seems to be an absurd solution to the backlog of infrastructure and cost shifting which he says councils are struggling with,” said Graeme.
“The O’Farrell government keeps repeating that there will be no-forced amalgamations of local councils - however the truth is that they are offering no solutions to the problems facing councils, except amalgamation.
“The reality is that this will force councils to amalgamate. Whether Mr O’Farrell wants to call it forced amalgamation or not - the  result will be the same with local communities losing both their identity and their voice by being forced to merge with bigger neighbouring councils.”

Attachments:

Member Update 11 october 2011

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