On 12 May 2016, the NSW government amalgamated Gosford and Wyong Councils to become Central Coast Council. Five years later rates are going up, staff have been axed, community assets are being sold, services cut and there is a public inquiry into Central Coast Council. Our Council is broken and our local democracy is under threat.
Read about the pluses and minues of a merger / demerger - and take our survey. Download our flyer here
Tell us what you think: Should Central Coast Council demerge or stay as is?
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Demerger – Reinstate former Gosford and Wyong Councils |
Stay merged as Central Coast Council |
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Why? |
The community has lost representation Our communities and geography are diverse - it should not be a “one size fits all” approach. Merger has failed to deliver benefits forecast by NSW government |
Complacency - too much trouble to demerge Unknown cost of demerging |
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Pluses |
Breaks 1 big problem into 2 smaller problems Improves ratio of elected representative to community (previously approx. 1 Councillor : 16,500 residents) Reduces workload so Councillors can be more effective Puts the “local” back into local government - allows for local needs to be better recognised—better control of planning and rates to suit local needs More chance of collaboration for smaller Councils to work with 2 State MPs and 1 Federal MP |
Process is already underway – State government / Administrator pushing through, systems are being combined and harmonised Moves CC Council towards a model of “Board of Directors” and corporate entity Argued that it is an opportunity for Council to operate as an advocate for the region as a whole – with one voice |
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Minuses |
Cost of demerger - unknown but not $0 – (this can be offset by having a Joint Organisation and shared services, including for Water & Sewer) More change for staff and community Need to divide staff, assets and debt that is owing |
Loss of community voice – ratio of Councillors to residents will be 1:36,000 … (with 9 Councillors and forecast population growth will be 1:46,000 by 2035) Loss of local identity / local community voice – more a “one size fits all” approach Toxic politics looms large – Council is a football with pressure from 5 State MPs and 2 Federal MPs |
How does a Council demerge?
A demerger happens through a review of Council boundaries and the formation of a new Council area.
A proposal (to demerge) may be made by the Minister for Local Government or by a council affected by the proposal or by at least 10% of enrolled voters.
The process includes a review by the Boundaries Commission and a Public Hearing before the Minister makes a decision.
Who pays for a demerger?
In May 2021, the rules were changed. If a Council submits a proposal and the Minister agrees to demerge, then the NSW government pays for the cost of the demerger. CCFoD believes that this should apply to any decision to demerge.