Local Government Minister Paul Toole has been labelled a hypocrite for going back on his word that he would not force Oberon Council to amalgamate with Bathurst.
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In a scathing attack on Mr Toole’s about-face in question time of State Parliament on Wednesday, NSW Opposition Leader Luke Foley said broken promises didn’t come much bigger than this, describing it as “breathtaking hypocrisy”.
“If elected, the NSW Liberals and Nationals are keen to work with councils seeking voluntary amalgamations and will offer financial incentives to assist councils who want to do so."
Indeed, in an article published in the Oberon Review in March 2011 – when Mr Toole was trying to win favour with voters as the local National Party candidate – the Bathurst MP stated he believed the amalgamation of councils should only be as a result of “mutual agreement”.
“It should not be forced by State Government intervention,” the letter, signed by Opposition leader Barry O’Farrell, leader of the Nationals Andrew Stoner and Mr Toole, stated.
“If elected, the NSW Liberals and Nationals are keen to work with councils seeking voluntary amalgamations and will offer financial incentives to assist councils who want to do so.
“We also understand that service efficiencies and quality is not just about lines on maps. The NSW Liberals and Nationals will also encourage and assist any council wanting to find ways to share services or assets in partnership with neighbouring areas.
“Please convey our policy to any local residents concerned about forced amalgamation.”
Mr Toole said yesterday the situation has changed enormously since taking that policy into the 2011 state government election.
“That policy was there two elections ago, but it’s changed as a result of a rigorous consultation process over the past four and a half years,” he said. “In September of 2011 all councils gathered in Dubbo for Destinations 2036 to talk about reform of local government. All 152 councils in NSW agreed unanimously that change was needed.
“Since then, at the request of councils, there’s been an independent local government review panel look into change, and now the IPART Fit for the Future report confirms that major reform is needed to ensure regional communities, including Oberon, are able to build infrastructure services for the betterment of its community.
“Oberon has been asking for massive rate hikes above the rate peg to do this. Now the incentives are on the table and if Bathurst and Oberon were to become the one entity there’s $10 million up front, straight away, for the new entity.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime offer of unprecedented funding. At present, Oberon’s rate revenue brings in about $2.5 million a year and most of that money goes to pay wages.”
Mr Toole said he was confident Oberon Council would see the advantages a merger with Bathurst would bring and come back in the 30-day timeframe and be keen to embrace change.
“Now it’s up to the council to make the decision, based on putting their community and ratepayers first,” he said.
Oberon Council is set to consider its position regarding amalgamation and the Fit for the Future finding that it doesn’t have a viable, long-term future at a special meeting on Monday.
Bathurst mayor Gary Rush will meet with his Oberon counterpart, Cr Kathy Sajowitz, next Wednesday regarding a possible merger.
