A REPORT from an independent consultant has found Leeton and Narrandera Shire Councils should not merge.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The consultant Morrison Low was paid by the two councils to investigate the possibility of merging after it was recommended by the Independent Local Government Review Panel and the Local Government Acts Taskforce.
The recommendations were made to the state government after it deemed local government reform “a must”.
As a result, the consultant was employed to investigate the possibility of merging and the criteria that would need to be met in order to do so.
Leeton mayor Paul Maytom said Morrison Low came back saying it wouldn’t be of benefit to merge.
“According to them the two councils weren’t able to meet all of the criteria in order to do so,” Councillor Maytom said.
“I think we were only able to meet four of the benchmarks.”
However, while the consultants have made that finding, the state government could still force the merger at a later date.
In the meantime, council has engaged the same consultants to put together a standalone business case on how Leeton shire could be placed in the Fit for the Future program.
“I think we need to reach seven benchmarks as part of Fit for the Future to gain the funding as part of that program,” Cr Maytom said.
“We want to make sure the community is aware of what is happening.
“Council is aware this is costing a lot of money.”
To have the consultant complete both business cases will be an expense of about $50,000 to council.
Morrison Low have indicated they would “develop an improvement plan for Leeton that puts it on the path to meet the Fit for the Future benchmarks”.
If council still doesn’t fit into this category, Cr Maytom said it would have to then start looking at its services and where improvements can be made.
“The government wants all local councils to be more efficient and sustainable,” he said.
“We’re still going through all of the processes.
“What we have now is the consultant saying a merger wouldn’t be viable and they will now complete a case for Leeton to stay on its own. We will continue our strong relationship with Narrandera.”