Report of delegate appointed by the A/Chief Executive, Office of Local Government Amanda Chadwick, March 2016 1 | Page Contents Executive summary ................................................................................................................................. 4 Description of the proposal .................................................................................................................... 6 Description of examination process ....................................................................................................... 7 Summary of submissions ........................................................................................................................ 8 Financial advantages and disadvantages of the merger ....................................................................... 10 Delegate’s finding ............................................................................................................................. 10 Councils’ submissions ....................................................................................................................... 10 Other submissions ............................................................................................................................ 11 Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 12 Financial advantages and disadvantages to the future council of the merger ............................. 12 Financial position and viability of current councils ....................................................................... 13 Implications of projected population changes ............................................................................. 15 Opportunities for efficiencies due to economies of scale ............................................................ 16 Rate implications ........................................................................................................................... 17 The community of interest and geographic cohesion .......................................................................... 18 Delegate’s finding ............................................................................................................................. 18 Councils’ submissions ....................................................................................................................... 18 Other submissions ............................................................................................................................ 18 Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 20 The historical and traditional values ..................................................................................................... 21 Delegate’s finding ............................................................................................................................. 21 Councils’ submissions ....................................................................................................................... 21 Other submissions ............................................................................................................................ 21 Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 22 The attitude of residents and ratepayers ............................................................................................. 23 Delegate’s finding ............................................................................................................................. 23 Councils’ submissions ....................................................................................................................... 23 Other submissions ............................................................................................................................ 23 Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 23 The requirements related to elected representation ........................................................................... 25 Delegate’s finding ............................................................................................................................. 25 Councils’ submissions ....................................................................................................................... 25 Other submissions ............................................................................................................................ 25 2 | Page Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 26 The impact on services and facilities .................................................................................................... 28 Delegate’s finding ............................................................................................................................. 28 Councils’ submissions ....................................................................................................................... 28 Other submissions ............................................................................................................................ 29 Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 30 The impact on employment of council staff ......................................................................................... 33 Delegate’s finding ............................................................................................................................. 33 Councils’ submissions ....................................................................................................................... 33 Other submissions ............................................................................................................................ 34 Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 34 The impact on rural communities ......................................................................................................... 36 Delegate’s finding ............................................................................................................................. 36 Councils’ submissions ....................................................................................................................... 36 Other submissions ............................................................................................................................ 36 Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 37 The desirability of wards ....................................................................................................................... 38 Delegate’s finding ............................................................................................................................. 38 Councils’ submissions ....................................................................................................................... 38 Other submissions ............................................................................................................................ 38 Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 38 The need for effective representation of diverse communities ........................................................... 40 Delegate’s finding ............................................................................................................................. 40 Councils’ submissions ....................................................................................................................... 40 Other submissions ............................................................................................................................ 40 Analysis ............................................................................................................................................. 41 Other factors relevant to efficient and effective local government ..................................................... 42 Minister’s proclamation .................................................................................................................... 42 Walcha Council’s comments regarding economic sustainability ...................................................... 42 Appendix A Instrument of Delegation .............................................................................................. 44 Appendix B Merger Proposal: Tamworth Regional Council and Walcha Council ............................ 46 Appendix C Existing councils’ employment .......................................................................................... 47 Appendix D Projected merger savings .................................................................................................. 48 3 | Page Executive summary The Acting Chief Executive of the Office