Mosman to hold public meeting on second merger plan

Mosman Council will hold a public meeting for residents to describe and discuss the NSW Government’s latest merger proposal for Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby at Mosman RS Club on Wednesday, 30 March at 7.00pm.

This meeting will follow on from the Public Inquiry meetings to be conducted by the NSW Government’s Delegate, Mr Ian Reynolds, in Chatswood and Mosman on 22 and 23 March.

Mosman Mayor Peter Abelson said Council considered it important that residents be given a further opportunity to hear about the proposed merger and to make the most of the current consultation process.

“Our community has only until 8 April to make their views known on this proposal,” he said. “This latest proposal is a totally separate process by a different Government Delegate to the Manly, Part Warringah proposal. The Delegate will not read or take into account any previous submissions. Unfortunately, to be considered, new submissions have to be made.

“We hope that Council’s Public Meeting on 30 March will assist residents to consider the impacts of the latest merger proposal and encourage everyone to voice their opinion before the Government’s deadline.

“At the meeting I will provide a brief update on issues relevant to the proposal. I and others will then answer questions and assist with submissions if requested. All are welcome. No one needs to register to come!”

Mosman Council remains strongly opposed to any forced amalgamation and voted at its meeting on 8 March to oppose the latest proposal that Mosman join with North Sydney and Willoughby.

“The Mosman community strongly supports independence – at the 2012 Council election over 81% of Mosman voters opposed amalgamation – and in more recent polling only 23% of residents supported a possible merger with North Sydney,” Cr Abelson said.

“Our community should be concerned about a potential reduction in services under a bigger council. Can we really say there are strong communities of interest extending north to Roseville and west to Lane Cove? I doubt if many Mosman residents would say this is the case.”

After community consultation on the new merger proposal closes on Friday 8 April, the Delegate will prepare a report and submit it to the Minister for Local Government and the Local Government Boundaries Commission. Regrettably we understand that this report will only be released to the public at the Minister’s discretion.

Mosman residents and ratepayers unable to attend the public meeting can find out more or make an online submission by visiting yourvoicemosman.com.au/merger2