If Hunters Hill Council is merged with Ryde and Lane Cove Councils, how would this affect ordinary property owners, renters and rate payers?  It seems sensible to …

• gather some facts
• consider the issues
• raise questions
• look for risks and opportunities.

The Trust’s Rough Guide draws together information from the websites of the 3 councils and from NSW government planning controls.  It identifies the likely impact on:

• Basic council services
• Planning and heritage issues
• Council representation, Wards, and residents’ access to Council
• Council chambers and buildings
• Rates and financial matters
• a future role for the Hunters Hill Trust.

Inner Sydney Map

NSW Government has released a map showing Hunters Hill Council being merged with Ryde and Lane Cove Councils to form a huge new municipality with 160,000 residents.

‘Delegates’ will prepare a report outlining:

• financial considerations
• communities of interest
• elected representation
• employment of staff
• service and facilities
• the attitude of residents and ratepayers.

Find out more:  https://www.councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au/

When:  12 noon Wednesday 18 November

Where:  Martin Place, near Macquarie St.

Why:  The Premier is saying ‘amalgamate or else’. The deadline for Councils to agree to merge is November 18.

Communities across NSW have voted not to amalgamate but the Government is ignoring the community.  Many councils are saying no we won’t be bullied into selling out our community and amalgamating.

This Rally is standing up for local democracy and the rights of communities.  It is supporting committed local community groups,  hard-working Councillors, Mayors and all council staff across NSW.  The Rally is supported by Save Our Councils Coalition, Local Government NSW and Unions NSW.

Save Hunters Hill Municipality

The Hunters Hill Trust is fundamentally opposed to forced council amalgamations.

While we have been critical of Hunters Hill Council’s performance in a number of areas, most recently in its handling of the Gladesville Shopping Village development (no doubt members will have their own lists of Council’s shortcomings) there is no evidence that we will be better off with a bigger council and there is no doubt that our current level of representation and access to council will be severely reduced as a result of amalgamation with other local government areas.

We encourage Trust members to keep the pressure on the government by contacting our local State member, Anthony Roberts, to reinforce the fact that the Liberal Party’s determined push for amalgamation is not supported by the people he represents.

Let Anthony Roberts know what you think:

Email  lanecove@parliament.nsw.gov.au   or  office@roberts.minister.nsw.gov.au                                                            Phone 9817 4757    PO Box 524, Gladesville NSW 1675

For updates from Save Hunters Hill:  https://www.facebook.com/savehuntershill/

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Source:  Daily Telegraph, 16 August 2015

With only 13,900 residents, Hunters Hill Council is the smallest of all LGAs in NSW.  It is now facing the prospect of being amalgamated with Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney, Willoughby and two-thirds of Ryde Councils to form a mega council.

In this scenario, Hunters Hill residents would be represented by less than one Councillor (0.68) in a massive new region.

Residents may complain that our local Council has let us down in the past and has not acted in the best interests of the community.  The question is now: what would happen to Hunters Hill with just 0.68 Councillor to represent us?

This is a major change in the democratic process.  After years of talk, and promises that there would be ‘no forced amalgamations’, it seems that the State Government is about to take action.  Check the latest news and what action you can take:  Save Hunters Hill Municipality Coalition  or Save Our Councils NSW.