Mayor's Weekly Message

Fit for the Future goalposts have been moved mid-game

22 Oct 2015

It has been obvious for some time that the NSW Government was intent on a program of council amalgamations. What has been less clear, is what shape the amalgamations will take.

On Tuesday, the Government informed Mayors across the State of the release of the IPART report on the financial health, efficiency and performance of NSW Councils.

Manly Council met or exceeded all financial health, efficiency and performance criteria.

However, based on population size alone, Manly has been assessed as ‘unfit’ - because Manly does not meet the population criterion of 251,650. This was also the principal reason why most of the metropolitan Councils in Sydney were also assessed unfit despite meeting financial and efficiency benchmarks.

The minimum 250,000 population size criterion was a late addition to the IPART Independent Local Government Review Panel assessment process.

It was apparently intended to ensure that most of the metropolitan Councils in Sydney would be ‘deemed unfit’, regardless of their performance otherwise!

IPART agrees with Manly and Pittwater Councils that a ‘Mega Council’ on the Northern Beaches may potentially deliver financial benefits of around two percent per year - but the saving is at expense of the community and the democratic interests of Manly residents.

Manly residents have overwhelmingly rejected being part of a ‘Mega Council’.

Council is awaiting advice from the Minister regarding the next step in the process and will have around one month to respond.

I will keep everyone updated as more information comes to hand.

The full IPART report may be download on council's website. 

Manly West Carnival

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the exciting Manly West Carnival kicking off at 11.00am today (Saturday 24 October).

Admission is free. See the event website at www.manlywestcarnival.com for details. 

Jean Hay AM

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