IT is business as usual at Murray River Council despite speculation that a plebiscite may be held for ratepayers to vote on a de-merger.
The former Wakool and Murray Shires were forcibly merged in May last year under the leadership of then New South Wales Premier Mike Baird, but his resignation three weeks ago has thrown council amalgamations across the State into disarray.
New Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed the widely unpopular policy of amalgamations had been discussed in cabinet, but said she wasn’t ready to make an announcement on the matter.
A change in policy could spare 11 councils yet to be amalgamated, while ratepayers in the 20 councils already merged could be given the chance to vote on a de-merger.
Murray River Shire general manager, Margot Stork – herself an outspoken opponent of the merger in her former job as Murray Shire general manager – said the talk of a plebiscite was merely speculation.
“We have been told very clearly that the premier is considering the reforms and working with her cabinet colleagues and will advise us in due course if there is to be any change to what is currently occurring, but until that point in time it’s business as usual for us,” she said.
“I don’t know what the appetite is for a de-merger; I’ve certainly not had any discussion with community members regarding that.”
Ms Stork said all 170 council staff had worked “extremely hard to make a successful transition”.
“I think we’ve been successful as so far as we could be in a very short period of time,” she said.
“We’ve made advances in terms of starting to transition onto one lot of systems, particularly with the ICT platform, and those are clearly reaping benefits for the community.
“Once that ICT platform is up and running we will be able to offer the new Murray River community much better access to online services and that’s a great improvement on both what Wakool and Murray previously had.”
Ms Stork said a de-merger would be “very problematic”.
“I’m sure that’s one of the things that’s under consideration by the government right at this moment,” she said.
“If you consider all the things we’re bringing together in the merger, they’re all the things that would need to be unpicked.”
