Council amalgamations back on agenda

The report sees Sydney as a World City and in this context brings the Greater Metropolitan Area, which includes Newcastle, Illawarra and the Central Coast, into focus.
The report targets six themes: Sustainability, Planning, Attractive densities and land use mixes, Funding, Social issues and Governance.

Its key recommendations include:
1. One Plan for Sydney;
2. Infrastructure;
3. Abolishing the transport tax base and introducing a user pays system;
4. Consolidation of local urban councils from 42 to 11 and one regional council for each of Newcastle, Illawarra and the Central Coast.

The issue of amalgamation of Gosford and Wyong councils is one that has attracted the State Government’s attention in the past. It is no secret that ministers and their departments within the State Government are frustrated with the never ending arguments between the two councils.

It is well known that within the two councils there are cultures that are impeding the growth of the Central Coast as a region. Attitudes are entrenched and there is a ‘go it alone’ mentality within each.

Both current Mayors are jealous of their fiefdoms who, along with some other councillors, promote a ‘them and us’ stance that is detrimental to the common good of the region and its population.

In the middle of the recent drought, neither council could agree on how the region’s water supply should be managed. It took years before both could agree on the setting up of the Gosford Wyong Water Corporation and then an outside referee had to be brought in to negotiate an arrangement between the two councils.

No one was fooled by the gloss which Mayors Holstein and Graham put on the announcement that, “This has again demonstrated that the Central Coast Councils can come together and discuss important regional issues to ensure the best outcome for our community”.

Gosford Council contributed to the building of the Mingara Aquatic Centre which was a joint project between Wyong Council and Mingara Recreation Club. However, when the Central Coast Visitor Information Centre was built at Kariong, Wyong Council firstly agreed to contribute to the cost of construction but reneged at the last moment leaving Gosford Council to come to the rescue of Central Coast Tourism on the project.

More recently a war of words broke out between the two Mayors after Gosford Council pulled out of financially supporting the 2011-2013 State Surf Lifesaving Championships.

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