OPTIONS FOR AMALGAMATION WHAT WILL THE FUTURE HILLS LOOK LIKE?

HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE OPTIONS

The Metropolitan Area is home to 41 councils, each represented by a different Mayor, different set of Councillors, different general manager and with a different set of rules to their neighbour.

Unfortunately, many councils are struggling to provide the basic services expected by their residents and ratepayers. An independent assessment of Councils has painted a damning picture of the sector now and heading into the future.

Fortunately, The Hills Shire Council has some of the best assets (parks, roads, community centres etc) and finances in NSW. We have been independently rated as being one of the top two local government areas in the state.

For local government to stay relevant, we need large-scale reform of the industry and a reduction in the number of councils. Maintaining the status quo is no longer an option.

The NSW Government appointed an Independent Local Government Review Panel to investigate how the sector could be fixed. They recommended the amalgamation of several Councils. The options for Hills are presented here, with our preferred option highlighted.

If there was any Council that had an excuse for resting on their laurels, it would be us. But I’m proud to say that Hills Shire Councillors have unanimously embraced the call for local government reform. We were one of the first councils to put forward a positive plan for reform in June 2013, rather than sticking our head in the sand and opposing local government reform.

While our plan differs slightly from that suggested by the Panel, it does embrace TELL US WHAT YOU THINK the spirit of reform and is more logical. Our boundaries take into account the sense The Independent Review Panel has made a number of recommendations for the future of Local of identity that many residents have with Government as part of the Fit for the Future process. The Hills region, particularly those living on the fringes of Hornsby, Hawkesbury and The Hills Shire Council wants to know what you think Parramatta councils. is the best option for the future.

I encourage you to look at the options Three options have been proposed including The and let us know your thoughts. Hills Shire Council’s preferred option along with the short term and long term recommendations of the Mayor of The Hills Shire Council Independed Review Panel. Clr Andrew Jefferies Have your say on the following recommendations by taking this short survey www.surveymonkey.com/s/hills_amalgamations

www.thehills.nsw.gov.au | 9843 0555 | #SydneyHills OPTION ONE THE HILLS MINUS The Hills Shire minus the suburbs south of the M2—North Rocks, Carlingford, Northmead, Oatlands, & Winston Hills

183 500 current LGA population 155 200 estimated LGA population THE HILLS 38 554 ha land area BAULKHAM HILLS NORTH ROCKS 4.02 person per ha WINSTON HILLS CARLINGFORD OATLANDS estimated population density NORTHMEAD

NORTH PARRAMATTA Highlighted suburbs would transfer to 4.58 person per ha Parramatta LGA current population density

PARRAMATTA

THE OPTION This scenario would result in the loss of 7% of This option was recommended by the Independent income per year for the Hills and approx. 3.6% Review Panel. It involves retaining many of the of the Shire’s land area. Hills Shire Council’s current suburbs - but adjusts the southern boundary north to the M2 Motorway. It would also result in the loss of 28,300 residents This would effectively place the suburbs of North (15% of the population) and would have a negative Rocks, Carlingford, North Parramatta, Winston Hills, financial impact on Hills Shire residents, placing Oatlands and parts of Baulkham Hills within the upward pressure on rates and charges to maintain Parramatta Local Government Area. our high service level.

EVALUATION It is reasonably clear that residents of North Rocks, While Council agrees some boundary adjustments Carlingford, Northmead and Winston Hills do not are necessary, the removal of those suburbs south of see their community of interest with Parramatta but the M2 where residents identify as Hills residents to rather with The Hills Shire - with current boundaries another Council area is not supported. This scenario reflecting a sense of identity and place, including is intended to assist in promoting the Growth of important historic and traditional values - creating the Parramatta Local Government Area to create natural communities of interest. Parramatta as the second CBD for Sydney. THE FACTS • This option is not the preferred scenario of the Hills Shire Council. • The option forms part of a broader recommendation to greatly increase the size of the Parramatta Local Government Area to include Auburn, Holroyd, most of Ryde and some of The Hills Shire. The resultant Parramatta Council may be less representative of its former Hills Council residents. • The proposal does not reflect local communities of interest. • Reduced population and resultant loss of 7% of Council’s income will put upward pressure on rates and charges for Hills residents.

www.thehills.nsw.gov.au | 9843 0555 | #SydneyHills OPTION TWO THE HILLS AND The Hills Shire minus the suburbs below the M2 with a future Merge with Hawkesbury

Possible future 183 500 merge with Hawkesbury current LGA population recommended by LG Review Panel HAWKESBURY 245 500 estimated LGA population 317 645 ha land area THE HILLS 0.77 person per ha

estimated population density BAULKHAM HILLS

NORTH ROCKS

WINSTON HILLS CARLINGFORD 4.58 person per ha OATLANDS NORTHMEAD Highlighted suburbs current population density NORTH PARRAMATTA would transfer to Parramatta LGA

PARRAMATTA

THE OPTION with a negative outlook, while the Hills Shire This option of a future merge with Hawkesbury Council’s financial position has been rated as strong. Council in the long term - after the suburbs below the M2 including North Rocks, Carlingford, North Hawkesbury’s current infrastructure backlog is Parramatta, Winston Hills, Oatlands and parts of extensive and more than $65M is needed to bring Baulkham Hills are merged with Parramatta - was the assets to a satisfactory standard. also recommended by the Independent Review Panel. If this merger took place, the task of addressing EVALUATION infrastructure in the Hawkesbury area would mean Hawkesbury Council is currently the largest Sydney that further funding from Hills residents is likely to Council by area. The addition of Hawkesbury to be required. The Hills Shire would mean greater challenges in providing municipal services across a region with If the suburbs south of the M2 motorway are merged very large remote and rural areas. with Parramatta Council, the Hills Shire Council stands to lose in excess of $9M per year in income, The NSW Treasury Corp review gave Hawkesbury placing further financial strain on residents of the Council a Financial Sustainability Rating of moderate Hills Shire.

THE FACTS • This option is not the preferred scenario of The Hills Shire Council. • The Hills Shire Council’s preferred option recommends that a minor boundary adjustment with Hawkesbury (south east of the ) is included in The Hills Shire area - with the remainder of the Hawkesbury LGA either retained or divided and incorporated into neighbouring council areas. • To address the infrastructure backlog and restore the financial position of Hawkesbury Council, further funding from Hills residents would be required.

www.thehills.nsw.gov.au | 9843 0555 | #SydneyHills OPTION THREE THE HILLS PLUS

THE HILLS PLUS; part of Hornsby, part of Hawkesbury & part Suburbs artifically of Parramatta. The Hills Shire Council’s recommended option divided by Old Northern Road to become Hills Shire. 183 500 current LGA population

Parts of Hawkesbury where residents 230 500 identify as Hills HORNSBY estimated LGA population become Hills Shire. THE HILLS 77 083 HAWKESBURY land area

2.99 person per ha estimated population density Baulkham Hills, North Rocks, Carlingford, Winston Hills, Northmead Most of Carlingford and North Parramatta 4.58 person per ha united in Hills Shire. current population density stay in The Hills LGA.

Divided suburb of Winston Hills united as Hills Shire.

PARRAMATTA THE OPTION This option reflects local communities of interest This option is The Hills Shire Council’s preferred where residents identify the Hills as their local option. It retains the majority of the Hills Local community, despite living just outside the border. It Government Area (LGA) and adds parts of Hornsby, would create a LGA with adequate scale and capacity Hawkesbury and Parramatta LGAs. to be sustainable for the future.

Council’s proposal means that Hornsby’s rural The Hills Shire Council is one of only three councils suburbs - as well as those suburbs artificially with a financial position rated as strong by the divided by Old Northern Road - would become part recent NSW Treasury review. This means The Hills of The Hills Shire LGA. Shire Council has the financial capacity to accept and maintain additional services to accommodate EVALUATION this growth. The Hills Shire Council is one of the financially strongest Councils in NSW and has a demonstrated The proposal could have a flow-on effect of linking track record of managing growth, delivery of the current Ku-ring-gai Council with all of Hornsby’s infrastructure, maintenance of roads and assets and suburbs along the Northern Rail Line, from Berowra quality customer service. south to the M2 Motorway at Epping.

THE FACTS • This option retains the suburbs below the M2 including North Rocks, Carlingford, North Parramatta, Northmead, Winston Hills and parts of Baulkham Hills and maintains their current community of interest links to The Hills Shire. • It unites 10 suburbs currently divided between two Councils into one larger Council area. • The option creates a new major Metropolitan Council with adequate scale and capacity to be sustainable into the future. • The option allows for better transport planning and development of the region.

www.thehills.nsw.gov.au | 9843 0555 | #SydneyHills