Resident addresses amalgamation hearing

Mr Martin Wellington, a retired engineer for St Huberts Island, was one of 16 registered speakers to address a public hearing into the amalgamation of Gosford with Wyong on February 3.

Mr Wellington described himself as a "rate paying resident of Gosford for 16 years, neighbourhood watch coordinator, life member of St Huberts Island Residents Association and president-elect of East Gosford Probus Club.

"I oppose the merger as did Gosford and Wyong Councils in their submissions," Mr Wellington told the delegate.

"The NSW Government has used blackmail threat to dissolve dissenting councils plus a $20 million bribe.

"It is a shotgun wedding not wanted by the bride or groom.

"The only argument provided for a merger is crystal ball speculation.

"The one and a half page executive summary uses the word 'expected' four times, plus 'potential, projected, may and could'," he said.

"The Minister's forward ignores the qualifications and states 'the merger will provide...', which is untrue and dishonest.

"As a professional engineer, I accept facts, not speculation.

"Some of the claimed benefits of the merger already exist, for example, shared waste collection services, bulk procurement of many items and compliance policies.

"We are told what might happen but what has happened?

"In 2008, Noosa Council, Queensland, was forced to merge with Maroochy and Caloundra Councils to form Sunshine Coast Regional Council.

"In the four years after the merger Noosa general rates increased by 46 per cent and Noosa services were reduced, for example, gravel road maintenance was reduce by 50 per cent.

"In 2013, 81 per cent of Noosa rate payers voted to de-merge and the de-merged Noosa Council has fully restored all services.

"Its rates were not increased in the first budget and raised by 1.3 per cent in the last budget."

Mr Wellington said he had knowledge of Noosa Council via his son who is a current Noosa councilor and was involved in the de-merger.

"A Queensland parliamentary enquiry found, after forced mergers, Queensland local government debt rose from $2 billion in 2008 to $4.8 billion in 2011, which belied the forecast savings.

"The proper democratic course is to hold a referendum of the people affected, the rate payers.

"I move this meeting demands the NSW Government hold a referendum of Gosford and Wyong ratepayers before taking any further action on forced mergers," he said.

Cr Vicki Scott also addressed the hearing but specified that she spoke as a resident and not in her capacity as an elected councillor.

After the meeting, Cr Scott said she was disappointed at the low level of attendance and that, from a population of over 160,000 in the Gosford LGA only 16 people registered to speak.

"I know it was difficult to get to and we only had one meeting while Wyong had two, it could have been made much easier for people to participate," she said.

"I found the other speakers interesting because they all had concerns - even of those who spoke in favour of amalgamation, not one was happy with the process and I thought that was very telling."

Cr Hillary Morris also spoke at the hearing in her capacity as a resident and agreed with Cr Scott that even those in favour of the merger said the process was flawed.

"Financial benefits were questioned and people raised concerns about the different policies of the two councils on sea level rise, flooding maps, Coastal Open Spaces Scheme and tree policy," she said.

Gosford Council chief Mr Paul Anderson spoke on behalf of the council but Gosford mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna did not speak at the hearing.

Prior to the hearings, the Delegate conducting the hearing, Mr John Rayner, advised Central Coast Newspapers that he did not wish to advertise it.

The Gosford meeting was attended by around 70 people and Mr Rayner was addressed by the 16 registered speakers, who were required to confine their presentations to three minutes.

Residents who did not attend any of the meetings have until 5pm on Sunday, February 28, to make a written submission online at councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au or to the Council Boundary Review, GPO Box 5341 Sydney NSW 2001.

Media statement, 3 Feb 2016

Martin Wellington, St Huberts Island

Media release, 3 Feb 2016

Vicky Scott, Narara

Media release, 3 Feb 2016

Hillary Morris, Gosford

Media statement, 29 Jan 2016

Larissa Mallinson, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet