NSW Council Amalgamation Update

Premier Gladys Berejiklian has today confirmed that the NSW Government will continue to amalgamate councils across Sydney, but halt plans for pending mergers in regional communities.

The Government will persevere in its efforts to reduce the number of councils in Sydney, in line with the recommendations of an Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal report handed down in October 2015. This means that the Government will continue to fight legal challenges brought by five city councils opposing their proposed mergers, including Hunters Hill, Ku-ring-gai, Mosman, Strathfield and Woollahra.

However, all pending regional council mergers, including those currently facing court challenges, will no longer be required to proceed.

No council amalgamations that have already been completed will be reversed.

In a media release published earlier today, the Premier said, "In addition to maintaining all existing mergers, we will push ahead with those councils in Sydney that are before the courts."

"Local government reform is particularly important in Sydney if we are to deliver on our commitments to increasing housing supply, improving planning and deliver local infrastructure and amenity to communities. These are strong justifications for proceeding with mergers."

The Government's updated council amalgamation policy was agreed to at a special joint party room meeting earlier this morning. It had been unclear whether a new approach was going to be adopted following Premier Berejiklian's appointment as Leader, particularly in light of Deputy Premier and Leader of the Nationals John Barilaro's strong preference for a reversal of bush mergers.

The Government reportedly hopes that court decisions about the pending amalgamations will be made by October this year, with elections to be held throughout the state soon after.

Further Information
For further information about the NSW Government in 2017, please contact Ian Hancock on (02) 9223 0311 or via email: ih@premierstate.net.