Media Release

Bathurst Regional Council; Council; Lithgow City Council and discuss the Fit for the Future Local Government Reform Proposals

For Immediate Release – Friday 20 February 2015

Representatives of the Bathurst, Blayney, Lithgow and Oberon Council’s met on Wednesday 18 February to discuss the Fit for the Future Local Government Reform Proposal’s.

The meeting was held in the Oberon Council Chambers where Oberon Mayor John McMahon welcomed Mayor’s, Deputy Mayors and General Managers from the Councils present.

The reform program is the State Government’s response to the final reports from the Independent Local Government Review Panel and the Local Government Acts Taskforce announced in September last year.

One of the recommendations was for a potential merger of Bathurst Regional Council with Oberon Council. Bathurst Mayor Gary Rush said at this time Bathurst Council has not made a decision about this proposal, however would only consider a merger if there was a neighbouring Council interested in entering into discussions.

Mayor of Blayney, Scott Ferguson said that Blayney Council has been approached by Orange Council about developing a Merger Business Case Proposal involving Cabonne and Blayney Shire Council’s. Blayney Council has not reached a decision about this proposal, however all options will need to be considered for the best possible outcome for the Blayney Region.

Lithgow City Council Mayor, Maree Statham advised that the Lithgow City Council are opposed to forced amalgamations and are not in favour of any boundary adjustments. Lithgow Council aim to increase its population to 25,000 residents in order to attract new business and provide an economic stimulus for the Lithgow area.

Oberon Mayor, John McMahon reaffirmed Oberon Councils position that they are opposed to forced amalgamations but would have liked to consider boundary adjustments with the two neighbouring Councils in order to deliver more effective services to adjacent rural communities. Mayor Maree Statham has rejected the request by Oberon Council for boundary changes.

Bathurst, Blayney, Lithgow and Oberon are all members of the current Central West Regional Organisation of Councils (Centroc) and have confirmed their participation in the Central West Joint Organisation Pilot. This regional collaboration has for many years delivered cost savings and regional initiatives which member Councils have benefited from. The group are looking forward to increased opportunities available through the Pilot Joint Organisation Program.

In a discussion led by Bathurst Regional Council it was agreed to make approaches to the Upper Macquarie County Council about the lack of response to a previous request for an effective Strategic Plan to address weed control in the four Local Government Areas. The Upper Macquarie County Council is the statutory weeds authority for the four member Councils. With increased subdivision of rural land across the region the proliferation of weeds has become a huge problem. It is felt that a more robust plan is needed to address this problem.

ENDS