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November 27, 2015
Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369
Issue 82
$20 million government support is a small portion of amalgamation costs
Historic forced voluntary merger M agreed to
r Phil Walker, chair of Regional Development Australia Central Coast, has congratulated Gosford and Wyong Councils on their agreement to voluntarily merge as part of the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future reform process.
“The decision to voluntarily merge will ensure that our community will now have an opportunity to have a say in how our new Central Coast Council will be formed and that the region will be able to access $20 million in support from the NSW Government, to assist offsetting a small portion of the total amalgamation costs that will occur,” Mr Walker said. “ R e g i o n a l Development Australia
osford and W y o n g Councils have agreed to an historic, voluntary merger as part of the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future reform package.
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Both Councils submitted their merger preference to the NSW Government before the November 18 deadline – with it likely that a Central Coast council could be proclaimed late December and come into effect early next year. Gosford mayor, Cr Lawrie McKinna said the agreement was a defining moment in the Central Coast’s history. “Although time was against us, I’m very pleased with how both Councils have worked hard to protect the interests of their communities and the Central Coast,” Cr McKinna said. “I’m confident that this monumental decision to voluntarily merge means that the community’s voice will not be lost, which is something the NSW Government couldn’t guarantee under a potential forced amalgamation. “We’ll also have access to $20 million in support from the NSW Government for the voluntary merger that will make sure funding from our recent operating surpluses is not diverted away from vital service, facility and infrastructure improvements.
“There’s no doubt that merging our two organisations will be challenging, but my fellow Gosford councillors and I are looking forward to working alongside our Wyong counterparts to achieve the best outcome for the residents of the Central Coast,” he said. Wyong’s deputy mayor, Cr Lynne Webster, said she was pleased Gosford Council was coming to the party and agreed voluntary amalgamation is the only way to go. “The only way now is forward. “We have to work together to ensure a Central Coast Council continues to deliver the best possible services our community need and want. “I believe we can do it and this decision means we have secured a much needed $20 million injection of funding for our
region. “This decision will put the Central Coast on the map as a region in its own right and I believe will ensure we get a lot more funding and recognition in the future.” Gosford’s CEO, Mr Paul Anderson and Wyong’s acting CEO, Mr Rob Noble will now meet to create a staff transition team and start on plans to amalgamate the two Councils. An informal meeting of the two councils will be held at Wyong Council chambers on Wednesday, December 4, which will be the first time the two councils have met since deciding on the merger. Media release, Nov 16, 2015 Gosford and Wyong Council media Meeting transcript, Nov 25, 2015 Wyong Council general meeting Jackie Pearson, journalist
Central Coast’s board members look forward to working with all sectors to ensure that the best outcomes are achieved for the entire Central Coast,” he said. “ R e g i o n a l Development Australia Central Coast is confident the decision to form the one united entity will allow the Central Coast to proactively brand and market itself as a desirable region to visit, live and invest, which in time will greatly assist in
addressing the region’s higher than average unemployment rate. “We look forward to assisting all levels of government, business and the community to proactively work together to deliver the vibrant and successful future that the Central Coast rightly deserves,” Mr Walker said. Media release, Nov 18, 2015 Elizabeth Westrup, Regional Development Australia Central Coast
Splitting Wyong Council in two is delusional ne of Wyong’s Save Tuggerah Lakes Party councillors, Cr Lloyd Taylor, has accused Lake Macquarie City Council of wanting to steel Wyong Council’s money.
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He has been critical of moves by Lake Macquarie Council to see the Wyong Local Government Area cut in half at Sparks Rd and absorbed into Gosford to the South and Lake Macquarie to the north. “Lake Macquarie Council is trying to dispense with the Wyong Local Government Area by making a recommendation to the State Government to cut Wyong in two,” Cr Taylor said. “Neither Lake Macquarie Council nor Gosford Council have any idea how the community thinks and I
am sure our community would not agree with the idea of a “forced retreat” from the waterfront,” Cr Taylor said. “Lake Macquarie City Council is ‘planning for increased flooding and changes to the foreshore lines that may occur as a result of sea level rise’,” he said. “They want to develop an adaptation plan which is double speak for no more development on land at Pelican or Blacksmiths. “If a ratepayer wants to build a new home, they won’t be permitted. “I had a phone call from a local in Wyong
concerned if we were amalgamated with Lake Macquarie that many waterfront properties would have restrictions imposed on them which would affect their 149 certificates. “I am against and idea that either Lake Macquarie or Gosford lay a finger on Wyong. “They only want Wyong because our finances are in order and want to steal money from our region,” he said.
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Email, Nov 16, 2015 Lloyd Taylor, Wyong councillor