3
Council amalgamations in the state
of NSW are still a hot topic with the
Berejiklian Government pushing forward
with the planned mergers throughout
metropolitan Sydney.
The councils that have not yet been merged
because of legal challenges are: Burwood, Canada
Bay and Strathfield; Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai;
Hunters Hill, Lane Cove and Ryde; Mosman, North
Sydney and Willoughby; and Randwick, Waverley
and Woollahra.
The NSW Court of Appeal ruled that Ku-ring-gai
Council was denied procedural fairness before its
proposed merger with Hornsby Council, in part
because a consultant’s report into the merger was
kept secret from the public and from the official
asked to investigate the merger.
The decision has been cheered by those Sydney
councils still fighting against amalgamation,
and which were angered when Premier Gladys
Berejiklian decided to scrap further forced mergers
in the regions but proceed with Sydney mergers.
A spokesperson for Local Government Minister
Gabrielle Upton said the government was
considering the implications of Monday’s decision,
but confirmed it was determined to push ahead
with the merger “given the clear benefits it will
have for the local communities”.
On a more positive front Australian Govlink
is pleased to announce an agreement with
CAMA, Canadian Association of Municipal
Administrators, to share information between our
publication and their members and vice versa
Nigel Gibson, Editor
[email protected]
CAMA will provide Australian Govlink with
details on programs and innovations CAMA
members are involved with.
Data, and this digital age we live in has been
at the forefront of Australian Govlink editions
over the last year. This month we are joined
by David Napper of Barringtons to review our
data security and finally the National League
of Cities has permitted Australian Govlink
to provide our readers with their ‘Policy and
Preparation Guide for Autonomous Vehicles’.
Vehicle manufacturers have certainly stepped
up their investment and partnerships over the
last year but where is Federal, State and Local
Government on forecasting the policy and
preparation for this inevitable change.
Nigel Gibson
GOVLINK » ISSUE 2 2017