THE New South Wales Office of Local Government was investigating Wakool Shire Council in the months prior to the announcement of a recommendation for the municipality to merge with the neighbouring Murray Shire.
Wakool mayor, Cr Neil Gorey confirmed on Wednesday he had approached the government’s body that oversees local councils to review the shire’s administration.
Community members raised concerns with Cr Gorey in May, which he took to former general manager, Bruce Graham at the time.
However, Cr Gorey took his concerns to the Office of Local Government three months later, who were meant to complete their review in November.
“I’ve been silent for the majority of this time to keep the integrity of the process, but it’s now reached a point that I have got to have my say,” Cr Gorey said.
“I am disappointed that the Office of Local Government had done nothing with my concerns.”
Cr Gorey also criticised a local politician for citing internal conflicts as a reason for the municipality to merge with the neighbouring Murray Shire.
In an interview with the Riverine Herald, New South Wales Member for Murray, Adrian Piccoli supported the government’s plans to amalgamate a number of local councils across the State.
Mr Piccoli justified the planned merger, stating in the January 11 of the Echuca-based paper that both municipalities were struggling to fulfil their functions.
Citing last month’s resignation of councillors Anthony Jackson and Colin Membrey, Mr Piccoli said in the interview that both Murray and Wakool shires were on the “borderline of having an administrator appointed”.
“Adrian advised the Office of Local Government as to which councils should merge in his electorate, and I encourage Adrian to talk to us on this matter,” Cr Gorey said.
Meanwhile, investigations into the exact wording into the shire’s community survey into the proposed merger – which would create a municipality spanning the Murray River from Mathoura to Tooleybuc – are continuing.
Copies of the survey – which will ask residents whether they support the New South Wales Government-supported amalgamation – will be sent out next month.
