Mayor's Weekly Message
Manly Council is fit for the future
1 May 2015
Last year, the NSW Government asked us to consider merging with our neighbouring councils.
Since then, my fellow Councillors and I have carefully workshopped all possible options. We also engaged external experts to provide us with independent advice.
At an Extraordinary Meeting to determine our position, we unanimously agreed that no merger is best for Manly.
This is because the independent expert analysis revealed that the creation of a ‘mega’ council, combining Manly, Warringah and Pittwater, could save $33 million over 10 years - just two percent of revenue.
This, in Council’s judgement, is too small a benefit to justify the risks of merging.
Make no mistake: amalgamation will not magically deliver prosperity to Manly - but it will jeopardise Manly residents’ democratic interests and identity. It also goes against the community’s long held-stance against amalgamation.
Manly Council is one of the most financially sound councils in the state. We achieve economies of scale by sharing resources with our neighbours, while keeping the flexibility to cater for our community’s needs.
We work with our neighbours to advocate on regional issues but remain independent so we don’t have to compromise on the outcomes for residents and ratepayers.
In June, we will be formally advising the State Government that no merger is best for Manly. However, the government could force us to merge, and if that happened, we need to understand your views on the alternatives.
An information pack will be delivered to every household in the Manly local government area.
In it is a feedback form, together with a reply-paid envelope. Alternatively, if you are a Manly resident or ratepayer, you can submit your feedback via this website link. I also encourage you to read the expert’s reports on council amalgamation options which are also on our website.
Your feedback is important. Please take the time to review the options and have your say.
Jean Hay AM
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