The Baird Government in New South Wales is on an ideological mission to amalgamate Local Government Areas on the pretext of scale equals greater efficiencies. It is intended to amalgamate 152 Local Government Areas ( LGA's) into 112 whilst in Sydney that figure is 43 to 25.
Whilst, in some industries, size is important to achieve economies of scale in production there are limits to the effectiveness of large organisations.
Whilst size may achieve a per unit cost advantage, can it also achieve increases in service quality, delivery and customer satisfaction?
This is the conundrum that faces both the Baird Government and residents of affected LGA's.
I intend to make a submission to the Council Boundary Review whose Public Meeting is to be held in a the small venue Hunters Hill Sailing Club at the extreme end of the proposed LGA in an area notorious for limited parking and poor public transport alternatives.
This immediately brings out the cynic in me and further reinforces my belief that this is "window dressing" so that it can be claimed at sometime later that "Public Consultation" occurred.
If the venue chosen is not easily accessible by all residents then how "Public" can that consultation really be?
With specific regard to the Amalgamation of the Council of City of Ryde, Hunters Hill Municipal Council and Lane Cove Municipal Council it should be noted that the City of Ryde represents some 70% of population of the amalgamated LGA's and it is forecast to increase its population by some 40,000 within the next 15 years. Hunters Hill is projected to grow a modest 3,600 and Lane Cove some 12,000.
The greatest source of population being predicted is Overseas Migration.
Looking at the proposed amalgamation, it is obvious that Ryde brings the bulk of the population, revenue and services to the table. Population is approx. 71% of the Total Merged LGA and Revenue is approx 70% of total revenue of the new LGA as is the total land area.
Ryde also includes the largest areas of income growth with significant developments planned for Macquarie Park and around various railway stations within the City.
That being so the City of Ryde should assume some rights.
Firstly, the City of Ryde should continue to be the LGA name. This is the only City in the merged entity and has an historical affiliation as the third oldest settlement in Australia, predating both Lane Cove and Hunter's Hill, and bordering the Parramatta River which was the historical driver for the establishment of all three LGA's.
Secondly, if the City of Ryde is to be merged it should retain 70% of Councillors within its geographic area. This is consistent with democratic principles that the NSW Government assures us directs the whole process.
Thirdly, if a new name is to be given to the merged entity then it should reflect the role of the traditional owners in the area and not be some conglomeration of existing names to satisfy existing residents.
Whilst it is my desire to keep the City of Ryde intact and independent, I am aware that these amalgamations are politically driven and I'm afraid that without significant elector protest it will be a "fait accompli".
I haven't been convinced by the NSW Government's argument that these amalgamations will lead to greater efficiencies and lower rates per resident especially since the savings predicated in the two reports by EY and KPMG, both of which have been used by the Minister as the Authority for amalgamation, each appear to have serious flaws in their premises and methodology.
If the City of Ryde is to assume the burden of major revenue provider then it should remain as the most significant player in the amalgamated LGA.
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