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Despite the Araluen community pushing to merge with the Eurobodalla, Bega MP Andrew Constance does not think it is a good idea.
This follows a community meeting held in the township on Sunday, attended by local and state politicians.
Despite his vocal support for amalgamation throughout 2015, Mr Constance, on Wednesday, said he would not support “any consideration for a merger between Araluen and the Eurobodalla Shire”.
“Whilst I recognise that a small number of Araluen residents wish for this to be pursued, economically, such a merger would be a cost burden on the existing rate base of the Eurobodalla Shire,” he said.
“Such a move exposes the existing ratepayers of Eurobodalla to greater costs, particularly associated with unsealed roadways, and does not deliver improvements in terms of scale and financial capacity.”
Mr Constance said he had been approached by the council about whether funds would be available for a merger.
This latest proposal is on the fly and would truly lack that proper scrutiny.
- Andrew Constance
“I am not willing for there to be any behind the scenes discussion on this,” he said.
“Any discussions must be open and transparent with the community. There is no pot of gold for council at the end of the rainbow here.”
Mr Constance said the amalgamation path was only to be taken if there was an upside to ratepayers.
“I have always said that if a council amalgamation were to be considered in the Eurobodalla, the appropriate economic and independent analysis would need to occur,” he said.
“Such a plan would have to be driven by the political leadership in the council in conjunction with the community.
“I stated clearly time and time again that any amalgamation consideration must deliver downward pressure on rates and greater scale and capacity to deliver better services and infrastructure.
“This latest proposal is on the fly and would truly lack that proper scrutiny.”
Any discussions must be open and transparent with the community. There is no pot of gold for council at the end of the rainbow here.
- Andrew Constance
Whilst there is still an opportunity for councils to consider boundary changes, Mr Constance said he would continue to fight for improvements to local council infrastructure and services.
He said he was “bewildered at any consideration of a boundary adjustment, post the November deadline given to councils”, after the council did not pursue boundary changes when given the chance.
“We offered up great funding opportunities and this was not seen as an opportunity by the majority of local councillors,” Mr Constance said.
“Locally, ratepayers faced a decision by the council to increase rates so that the council could be declared fit by IPART and be on a sustainable footing into the future.”
Mr Constance hoped candidates at the next council election would give an undertaking they would not seek a rates rise above the cap in the next term of council.
