Unknown is a worry
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I would like to see Council remain alone but cannot see it being viable.
I cannot see much savings by reducing Councillors to 5 and only having 6 meetings a year.
2nd choice would be Rural Council but the unknown is a worry.
Cr Audrey McArdle.
Community support needed
This is the toughest decision that I have had to make as a councillor as its affects will change Guyra as we know it.
We have been given three options from the State Government to become fit for the future.
1# Amalgamate with Armidale (not an option as far as I’m concerned. But, you need to be aware if this is forced upon us will no doubt include a rate rise as our rates are substantially lower than Armidale’s now and we will also lose representation)
2# Council improvement model or stand-alone (a viable option that will require a rate rise and in my opinion some dramatic changes to services provided by Council and I have to ask myself if that’s a community worth living in)
3# Rural council model (also a viable option but will also require a rate rise and probably some cuts to services although maybe not as dramatic. This model for the moment is essentially the same as the stand alone model with a longer time frame to reform our operations however I feel this may only be a short term solution and we could be having the same fight for our independence as a Council in the future again)
I think it’s important that the community of Guyra Shire realise that no matter which option is selected on Monday that it will mean a rate rise, but I think we are better to have a rate rise on our own terms than be forced to amalgamate and have the rate rise imposed on us by a neighbouring council.
Most importantly we need our community to support the Council’s decision on Monday whatever it may be because without your support we don’t stand a chance of remaining independent from Armidale.
Cr Dean Heagney
Merger undesirable
The community reference group has indicated strongly that a merger with Armidale Dumaresq is not desired. While the Rural Council model is one approach to remaining autonomous, there are still some uncertainties associated with this approach. Issues such as the shape and size of Council’s staff, the oversight of the outdoor workforce, and the governance structure are just a few. Similarly, to pursue a “stand alone” model based on the Council Improvement program will be very difficult. Council is now faced with a difficult decision, one based on a great deal of community consultation and analysis of our financial sustainability. We ask our community to work with us as we seek the best outcome for our Shire.
Cr Hans Hietbrink
Most important decision
This is the most important decision that we have had to make since coming on to Council. Fit For the Future. Stand Alone or Rural.
Rural I am very comfortable with, we tick most boxes in the template – better than the requirement in the population growth. However, I am not completely confident that we are going to be treated equally by the Government if this is the decision.
Popular consensus seems to be stand alone, however we do not tick near enough boxes, but my understanding is we have until 2020 to make drastic changes to make this work.
If we don’t get this decision right we will score amalgamation.
I could accept amalgamation provided it included Inverell, Glen Innes, Guyra, Armidale, and Uralla, making a large rural council with almost equal rural and residential ratepayers.
Cr Dot Vickery
Need to be unified
Once again Guyra is in a battle to maintain its autonomy. On Monday 27th April myself and the other five Councillors must resolve how to respond to the State Government’s recommendation from the Panel of Review into Local Government. The Panel recommended that Guyra be voluntarily amalgamated with Armidale Dumaresq Council. This appears unacceptable to a large majority of our community as it is to all six Councillors.
We are therefore left with one of two choices to respond to the State Government’s demand in order to show we are “Fit for the Future.” To follow what I believe is the clear will of our community, Councillors must resolve to base our response either to remain as a Stand Alone Council or to become a Rural Council. To give credit to a Stand Alone submission we must prove that within 4 years we can achieve a number of Benchmarks set by the State Government. The present criteria for a Rural Council will still allow our Community to control its own destiny. The risk is that State Government may at some time in the future decide to reduce the authority and responsibilities of a Rural Council.
To meet the criteria for a Stand Alone Council we will need Community support for a total of 80% rate rise over 4 years. In the case of a Rural Council I expect we will need the Community to grant a 30% rate rise in the ensuing year. To do nothing will result in amalgamation and through the ensuing rate adjustments would mean a rate increase in the order of 60%
Either a Stand Alone or a Rural Council, I believe, will satisfy the public’s passion for us to remain as an autonomous Local Government area. What your Council needs is that the Community gets behind this by going to the Council website and filling out the survey.
Again we need to be unified in this fight for continued existence. As a Councillor I encourage everyone to back this by turning up at the public forums and expressing your support. With significant Community support we will win this battle.
Cr Lee Martin,
We need your views
At next Monday’s Council meeting, the six councillors will have to decide on one of the three options under the NSW’s Fit For the Future. While I may be repeating what my other councillors have stated, the three options are; Council Merger Proposal, Council Improvement Proposal and thirdly a Rural Council proposal.
Under the Council Merger options, our Council has already been identified for a merger with the Armidale Dumaresq Council in a recent review by the Independent Local Government Review Panel submitted to the Office of Local Government. I do not support a merger with Armidale Dumaresq alone. If there has to be a merger, than I believe a merger with more neighbouring councils such as Inverell, Glen Innes, Armidale Dumaresq, Uralla and Walcha would be a better option.
I am currently undecided on either the Council Improvement, or the Rural Council option. Either option will require significant changes to Councils’ operations and income. Ultimately, I would like to see Guyra determine its own destiny and at the moment, both options provide this facility.
To make this rather difficult decision, we need your views. Please contact the Councillors, or contact Council staff.
Cr Simon Murray