Submission to Council Boundary Review - Leichhardt, Marrickville & Ashfield

Submission to Council Boundary Review - Leichhardt, Marrickville & Ashfield: make a submission by 28 Feb

Ms Cheryl Thomas
Delegate
NSW Council Boundary Review
GPO Box 5341
Sydney NSW 2001

SUBMISSION ON LEICHHARDT MUNICIPAL, MARRICKVILLE AND ASHFIELD COUNCILS MERGER PROPOSAL

I write to express my strong objection to the forced amalgamation of the three Inner West councils. I have addressed some of the key criteria below.

Financial advantages or disadvantages of the proposal to the residents and ratepayers:
Financial modelling commissioned by Leichhardt Council shows that a separate Leichhardt will perform better financially than a mega-council of Leichhardt, Ashfield and Marrickville.

Communities of interest and geographic cohesion in the existing areas and in any proposed new area:
Leichhardt Municipality is a clearly delineated and cohesive geographic area. Parramatta Road forms a long southern border with Marrickville. Likewise Hawthorne Canal forms the western border with Ashfield; and Johnson’s Creek the eastern border with the City of Sydney. The foreshore of Iron Cove, Sydney Harbour and Rozelle Bay forms the continuous northern border.

Existing historical and traditional values in the existing areas and the impact of change on them:
Leichhardt Council, as presently constituted, has been in existence for 67 years. The Council has ways of making decisions and campaigning for community objectives that involve residents. There has been the long experiment with its unique ‘Open Council’ - in which the individual citizen can make their views directly known to decision-makers - is supported as a key part of the political and cultural landscape.

Attitudes of the residents and ratepayers of the areas concerned:
I am strongly in favour of the retention of Leichhardt Council and oppose the proposal to force amalgamations.

Any effects the merge might have on elected representation:
The impact of amalgamation on local representation will be significant. At present each Leichhardt councillor represents less than 5,000 people. If the amalgamation proceeds each councillor in the new mega-council will represent more than 15,000 people. That will mean less access for residents and less advocacy from councillors. I fear this will lead to a new council waving through new overdevelopments.

Any impacts the merger proposal could have on the ability of the council to provide adequate, equitable and appropriate services and facilities:
An extract from a KPMG study published in December estimated that 96% of financial savings of merging Sydney’s Councils would come from reducing Council workforces. That means reduced services.

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159 SUBMISSIONS

GOAL: 150 submissions

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Showing 104 reactions

John Crowther signed 2016-02-27 16:06:00 +1100

This proposal is designed to profit developers and disadvantage residents. People who don’t live in our neighbourhood have no right to do this. They should mind their own business and look after State matters.
Sue Francis signed 2016-02-27 14:50:15 +1100

If these councils merge it will be less of a personal touch as each counsellor would have more people to deal with and waiting times for a satisfactory outcome would be longer
Michelle Cameron signed 2016-02-27 13:56:12 +1100

I do not think a huge council will benefit local issues
Neil Cameron signed 2016-02-27 13:51:56 +1100
Marko Smajlov signed 2016-02-27 13:51:12 +1100
Peter Bonsall-Boone signed 2016-02-27 12:35:49 +1100
Patrick Conaghan posted about this on Facebook 2016-02-27 11:08:25 +1100
Sign the petition: Submission to Council Boundary Review - Leichhardt, Marrickville & Ashfield
Patrick Conaghan signed 2016-02-27 11:07:48 +1100

The NSW Government has no mandate for these proposed amalgamations because there was no mention of this policy in its campaign platform in the lead-up to the last State election. The proposal for these amalgamations needs to have such a mandate before the policy would have any legitimacy. I am very strongly opposed to the planned amalgamations for all the reasons that have been advanced by the Councils themselves, by the Opposition and minor parties in the State Parliament, and by individual citizens across the whole of NSW. In respect of the greater Sydney region, this amalgamation proposal is a blatant ambit ploy to fast-track the high-density residential and associated commercial re-development of the (especially) inner suburban areas with increasing density of tower-blocks and associated loss of civic amenity.
Peter de Waal signed 2016-02-27 10:29:32 +1100

Peter de Waal
Carole Jones signed 2016-02-27 09:08:14 +1100

I totally oppose this merger, and see it as a way the Baird government can manipulate councils in favour of developers to push through legislation,and further their own interests to yet again discriminate against ordinary members of society. Everything this government does or tries to do needs examining carefully as it has hidden motives that do nothing for ordinary households, but plenty for the well off members of society. When will this government actually do something positive for the “battlers” that worked hard all their lives to make Australia the country that it is, instead of discriminating against them in favour of their tax avoiding mates.
Paula West signed 2016-02-27 08:35:35 +1100

I have lived in Rozelle for over 26 years and am strongly in favour of the retention of Leichhardt Council and oppose the proposal of forced amalgamations
Therese Rockendorfer signed 2016-02-27 07:20:27 +1100
John Colefax signed 2016-02-26 22:55:08 +1100
Theresa Downey posted about this on Facebook 2016-02-26 22:54:16 +1100
Sign the petition: Submission to Council Boundary Review - Leichhardt, Marrickville & Ashfield
Theresa Downey signed 2016-02-26 22:52:48 +1100
Gregory Wilkinson signed 2016-02-26 22:40:51 +1100

Let’s abolish state government and let the councils do the work. The savings would be astronomical.
alice kershaw signed 2016-02-26 20:36:51 +1100

When I go to Leichhardt Council, the female counter clerks who I know by name, always ask how I am going my journey with breast canceer. The same applies for telephone calls. I really appreciate the care and concern they show to me. If it was in a bigger council, this would not occur.
Margaret Armstrong signed 2016-02-26 18:17:28 +1100

I object to the dilution of representation of Councillor to resident ratio that this amalgamation represents and I am appalled at the lack of real legitimate planning underpinning the process. Leichhardt is an historic name for an historic area and both the name and LGA deserve to be preserved as is. I fear that development will overwhelm the area and an already shortage of open space will intensify. The current Government is not respecting the citizens with this undemocratic process of forced amalgamations. I say "get ride of Premier Baird and keep our good Leichhardt Council.
Viiu Jaaniste signed 2016-02-26 17:12:07 +1100

This is completely undemocratic. Mike Baird has in a short time shown his expertise in one thing which he brings to everything he does – he has demonstrated he knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. If amalgamations proceed we can expect higher council rates, fewer services, less personal contact with council staff, more development and loss of identity. This act is misuse of power and authority and complete arrogance on Baird’s part.
Brian Kiernan signed 2016-02-26 17:10:29 +1100

Our very high rates should be spent locally; and locals have been very effective over decades in defending their interests and values against developers.
Margaret Smee signed 2016-02-26 16:45:47 +1100

I value the democratic traditions in my country. To reduce access to Govt albeit State and Local Govt is taking away from those traditions where the individual voice is valued.

A lot of very counter-productive and ill-informed decisions can be made on our behalf as a result.
Donald Harrington signed 2016-02-26 16:44:21 +1100

As an Architect and Balmain resident for over forty years I have been involved in many struggles to ensure the preservation of this suburb’s unique historic environment.

I applaud the way in which Leichhardt Council, with carefully crafted policies, has protected the scale, streetscape and historic fabric of the Balmain Peninsular. The policy of Open Council has enabled the whole community to become involved in these issues as they directly affect our neighbourhood and our wellbeing.

I strongly object to the present State Government’s attempt to interfere with the makeup of our Council and impose a major and generally unpopular and unwanted amalgamation which will jeopardise our ability to have some meaningful control over the quality of our environment.
Albert Lahoud signed 2016-02-26 16:41:31 +1100

Mr Baird has to ask the residents of any municipality before he applies his dictatorial power !!!’

Stop mr Baird if you believe we still have a democracy .

Please , stop …….
Simon O'Neill signed 2016-02-26 16:40:58 +1100
Rebecca Smee signed 2016-02-26 16:35:49 +1100

The demographic in each suburb is different, and have different needs. Individual councils understand their areas and represent them effectively by consulting with communities and acting on their behalf. Amalgamation would mean that decisions would be made as a one-size-fits-all approach, and not take into account the individual interests/cultural views/community preferences as they should do in stand alone councils.
Margaret Dunn signed 2016-02-26 16:14:56 +1100

If the Council Workforce is reduced, not only will there be reduced services but the number of unemployed will increase and these people have families to support. As the unemployed will need to claim unemployment benefits, this will just shift any cost “savings” onto the Commonwealth Government, so there will be no advantage – just disadvantage!

Margaret Dunn
Vicki Barry signed 2016-02-26 16:05:44 +1100

Marrickville and Ashfield are already two huge municipalities.

If Leichhardt is amalgamated into their boundaries, the Leichhardt resident’s best interests will never be heard.

Thanking you for your attention.

Vicki Barry
Tess Shorney signed 2016-02-26 16:03:05 +1100
Grania Hickley signed 2016-02-26 16:02:04 +1100

I will not have access to councillors who are interested in local issues. Unable to speak freely at council meetings. We will get lost in ashfield over development
Harold Bruce signed 2016-02-26 16:00:53 +1100

Leichhardt Council is doing okay on it’s own, We don’t need other unrganised Councils dragging us down to their level