 Manly Council is not fit for the future according to a report released yesterday by IPART. Neither are our Northern Beaches neighbours Warringah and Pittwater. So the three councils have no choice but to merge to form a giant Northern Beaches council stretching from the Spit Bridge to Barrenjoey Lighthouse. That’s the verdict in the IPART report, which sets out to assess to the viability, or otherwise, of every council in the state. (see copy of relevant Manly pages below, plus full report). While Manly was judged satisfactory on the financial criteria of sustainability, infrastructure and service management and efficiency, we failed the “scale” test. With a population of only 42,800, we fall way short of the required 251,650 residents. We’re certainly not alone. Out of 36 councils in the Sydney region, 29 councils, including City of Sydney, failed the fitness test. Most met financial criteria, but were deemed too small. Advocates of council amalgamation, such as Premier and local MP Mike Baird, say bigger councils would mean ratepayers get better value for money, as well as better services and infrastructure. But opponents say there’s no evidence that big is necessarily better, and that councils are already grouped into regional organisations, which provide economy of scale purchasing power for many goods and services. The NSW government has given councils 30 days to respond to the report, although it has already made it clear that amalgamations will take place. It’s unclear if councils will continue to operate as usual after that date, or if administrators will be brought in, with a possible moratorium on new infrastructure projects until the merger process is complete. Council elections were scheduled for September next year, but may now be shifted to March 2017. 
12 Comments
Olivia Lyons
21/10/2015 11:39:07 am
Bruce Webb
21/10/2015 11:47:03 am
It wasn't a surprise to see Manly Council included in the hit list. They are unfit and there should be an administrator put in place until the amalgamation thing is sorted out or the useless councillors are voted out of office, not all, but 5 useless ones come to mind immediately.
Dennis
21/10/2015 04:06:11 pm
What a rude man you are.
Thomas
21/10/2015 04:37:57 pm
I can only see only really rude and absolutely inappropriate comment here and that is from you, Dennis. Your mother must be proud of you!
Candy Bingham
23/11/2015 11:36:18 am
While I provide an open forum on my blog and welcome all comments either for or against a project, I do not appreciated name calling or inappropriate language.
David
21/10/2015 01:01:15 pm
Now that Manly Council is officially unfit, we can move forward. Well done Mr Baird & Co. It is so obvious that 3 beach councils should be merged. Any money that Manly council spends, any resources it uses from this day forward defending its self interest will be fraudulent and ratepayer theft. If we miss out on the merge "gifts" that the Premier is offering then this will represent further theft from ratepayers and we will need to consider legal action.
Steven Middendorf
21/10/2015 03:43:52 pm
Emigrating to Australia from the US, the sheer number of villages and councils has always seemed an oddity to me: quaint but ineffective. On the positive side, vocal minorities and opposition groups always seem to have an inordinate impact on the progress made by small councils. It seems like every civic project is stymied by well spoken opposition groups. It's doubtful that local opposition to projects will be as effective stopping projects when the Council population area is 10 times as large, and the Council 10 times as powerful. I wonder if that will be a good thing.
Meg Morgan
21/10/2015 04:01:43 pm
Anything to get rid of Henry Wong and Jean Hay and the Liberal councillors! Hope they decide to merge voluntarily and get the $15.000.000 grant. Enough to renovate the Whistler Street Carpark and finish uncompleted works, including Short St Plaza. Although it will have to be shared between the three existing councils. So maybe there is a problem. Bring on an administrator!
Judy
21/10/2015 05:34:02 pm
I think Manly Council should try and amalgamate with Mosman Council - it's such a good Council. Then Warringah and Pittwater Councils can amalgamate.
Steven Middendorf
23/11/2015 01:38:24 pm
May I quote the author? "While Manly was judged satisfactory on the financial criteria of sustainability, infrastructure and service management and efficiency, we failed the “scale” test."
Michael Ace
12/12/2015 10:35:28 pm
It's interesting to note that there are several councils in NSW that meet no criteria, yet are not being amalgamated with anyone. I agree that no more of anyone's money should be spent on any project,except to clean up the mess in Sydney rd. Leave a Reply. |
AuthorCandy Bingham, Deputy Mayor & Manly Ward Councillor on Northern Beaches Council. Background in marketing, public relations and community engagement. Author of five business books. Former Lady Mayoress of Sydney. Aka Candy Tymson. Categories
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