NSW Government's Merger Proposal: Manly, Mosman and (part) of Warringah
Boundary Commission's Review of the Delegate's Report on the State Government's Merger Proposal
This report of the 29th April 2016 contains comments on the adequacy of the Delegate's report, wirh respect to the criteria outlined within the Local Government Act. It does does not re-examine any of the information used to produce the original report.
The Delegate's Report on the State Government's Merger Proposal
The Delegate's report of the 6th April 2016. This was prepared cognoscente of the brief, the applicable provisions of the amended NSW Local Government Act, submissions from each of the three Councils, two days of public hearings and many public submissions.
Manly Council Merger Proposal Submission
Manly Council has lodged its submission to the Government on the Merger Proposal: Manly, Mosman Municipal and (part) of Warringah councils.
Have your say
Submissions on the NSW Government's merger proposal: Manly, Mosman and (part) of Warringah, for which consultation has now closed.
Summary of the NSW Government's merger proposal
On 6 January 2016 the NSW Government detailed its proposal for an expanded council for Manly, taking in the southern suburbs of Warringah and Mosman. Comprehensive information about the merger proposal is available on the Council Boundary Review website:
New council area: Manly, Mosman and southern Warringah
The proposed new council in the Merger Proposal will be responsible for infrastructure and service delivery to more than 153,000 residents across the Manly, Mosman and part Warringah area of Sydney.
As explained in the Merger Proposal, the communities of Manly, Mosman and Warringah share common characteristics and connections, including an affinity with Sydney’s northern coastline, and will benefit by up to $72 million from a merged council with a stronger capability to deliver on community priorities and meet the future needs of its residents.
Benefits outlined in the Merger Proposal:
- A total financial benefit of $72 million over a 20 year period that can be reinvested in better services and more infrastructure;
- A projected 38 per cent improvement in annual operating results;
- Potentially reducing the reliance on rate increases through Special Rate Variations (SRVs) to fund local infrastructure;
- Greater capacity to effectively manage and reduce the infrastructure backlog across the councils;
- Improved strategic planning and economic development to better respond to the changing needs of the community;
- Effective representation by a council with the required scale and capacity to meet the future needs of the community; and
- Providing a more effective voice for the area’s interests and better able to deliver on priorities in partnership with the NSW and Australian governments.
With the merger savings, NSW Government funding of $25 million – and a stronger voice – the Merger Proposal expects the new council will be better able to provide the services and infrastructure that matter to the community, like:
- Improving sporting and surf club facilities and beach parking and increasing playing fields across the region;
- Increasing and improving daycare and early childhood centres;
- Improving walking and cycling connections between Warringah Mall, Brookvale and Dee Why;
- Investment to maintain and renew seawalls, ocean and harbour pools, coastal walkways and other key coastal infrastructure throughout the area;
- Improving the accessibility of beach car parking for the local community;
- Supporting the delivery of masterplans for Dee Why, Brookvale, Manly and Mosman centres which includes a number of projects such as improving the transport along the Spit and Military Roads corridor;
- Opportunity to increase community bus services like Manly’s Hop Skip and Jump service.
The savings, combined with the NSW Government’s policy to freeze existing rate paths for four years, will ensure that ratepayers get a better deal.
Proposed new local government area
Local Government expert rejects one mega council but supports expanded Manly
During the course of the local government reform process, Manly Council has undertaken significant pieces of research investigating the best outcome for our community.
Local government expert Professor Brian Dollery has consistently opposed compulsory mergers but says that when compared to the Independent Panel’s recommendation of a forced merger of Manly, Pittwater and Warringah, the NSW Government’s new proposal is the best outcome for residents in the region, as it will:
- Ensure the strengthening of villages and communities, retention of local character, community of interest and identity;
- Safeguard the custodianship over unique waterways;
- Retain lower density development in keeping with the natural environment and heritage;
- Provide sufficient scale for the expanded council for Manly to be financially sustainable and deliver strong economic management;
- Create two more equitable councils providing joint services and working collaboratively to deliver stronger representative advocacy for the SHOROC area when dealing with state and federal governments.
Decision making process
At the conclusion of the public consultation period the Delegate reviewing the proposal, Mr Michael Bullen, will provide a report to the Minister for Local Government and the Boundaries Commission.
Having considered reports from the Delegate and the Boundaries Commission, the Minister may or may not recommend to the Governor of NSW that the proposed merger be implemented.
It is anticipated that new councils will by proclaimed by the middle of 2016. The NSW Government has also announced that Local Government elections will likely be delayed until March 2017.