THE Namoi joint councils group says the local government minister should give its member shires of Gwydir, Liverpool Plains and Walcha the chance to achieve Fit for the Future status rather than force them into mergers.
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Namoi Councils Joint Organisation, an alliance of seven northern local government bodies, was set up as a pilot by the state government this year to test the regional alliance model.
Its chairman, Tamworth mayor Col Murray, says the three bodies deemed unfit in the recently released IPART report should be given time to achieve scale and capacity through their membership of the alliance.
Cr Murray said the bigger Namoi members – Tamworth, Gunnedah, Narrabri and Moree – had been found fit under the report, but the three smaller bodies didn’t meet the criteria.
Mr Murray argued they had worked hard, particularly as part of the alliance.
“All three councils have contributed in many ways to driving new initiatives in regional strategic planning, regional leadership and advocacy, regional collaboration, resource sharing and, overall, building member councils’ scale and capacity to better serve their local communities,” he said.
“The Namoi JO exists to serve the best interests of member councils and their communities. Fundamental to the best interests of member councils is the right of each of Gwydir Shire, Liverpool Plains Shire and Walcha councils moving forward to determine their own future, enabling local decisions as to what is best for local communities.”
The Namoi group was selected earlier this year as a pilot joint organisation by the local government minister under the Fit for the Future reforms, to work together and with the state government in regional strategic planning and collaboration.
The aim was to improve and develop transport and freight networks, secure private industry investment, create jobs in the region, attract new and improved training and education, and improve levels of health infrastructure and services.
All three councils have until Wednesday to provide a response to the IPART assessments to press their case, whether that is a council merger option or to stand alone.