The Sydney Business Chamber said a local government reform report to go before Warringah Council tonight reveals community support for larger, stronger but fewer Sydney councils.
A survey undertaken as part of the report showed that 61 per cent of respondents supported the amalgamation of Pittwater, Warringah and Manly Councils into a single peninsula council.
The Sydney Business Chamber and NSW Business Chamber proposed the amalgamation of Sydney’s 41 councils into 10 larger councils as part of its 10 Big Ideas to Grow NSW campaign. The proposal included the union of Pittwater, Warringah and Manly Councils into a single Northern Beaches Council.
“Momentum continues to build for the reform of Sydney’s local government structure,” said Patricia Forsythe, Executive Director of the Sydney Business Chamber.
“The results of Warringah Council’s investigation into community attitudes to larger, stronger councils support a poll conducted by Sydney Business Chamber that confirmed 58 per cent of Sydneysiders believed the city was governed by too many councils.”
Mrs Forsythe said local communities recognised the benefits of larger, stronger councils such as financial sustainability, reduced bureaucracy, more highly qualified staff, better infrastructure and regional facilities, better services, standardised rules, bylaws and policies and regional strategic capacity for housing and infrastructure.
“Local government reform has been placed in the ‘too hard basket’ for too long. If we are serious about transforming NSW the most logical place to start is at the grassroots.
“Warringah Council should be commended for its efforts to deliver better local government to its residents and businesses by pursuing a union with its neighbouring councils.
“I’d encourage the NSW Government and Local Government Minister Don Page to support the case for stronger local councils.”