Communities continue to campaign against forced Council amalgamations

Local communities are still hurting in NSW from the forced amalgamations of local Council perpetrated by the NSW Liberal Government.

Yesterday at the NSW Local Government Annual Conference protests from Tumbarumba Shire and Gundagire Shire demonstrated the depth of anger that remains in these communities at having their local voice taken from them.


Inside the Conference there was unanimous support for an amendment moved by Innerwest Councillor and Save Our Councils member Rochelle Porteous.

The final motion adopted by LGNSW was:
That Local Government NSW lobbies for a change to the Local Government Act to prevent forced amalgamation or major boundary changes of a Council without the support of a plebiscite.

 That Local Government NSW supports the people of Tumbarumba and Gundagai in their efforts to demerge from their Councils, and stands in solidarity with any other communities as they seek to demerge from their forcibly amalgamated Councils.
Inner West Greens Councillor and Save Our Councils Vice President Cr Rochelle Porteous said:
"Forced amalgamations have failed NSW communities and this motion sends a clear message to the NSW Government, fix the damage you have done by enabling de-mergers for those communities which request them".
The motion was seconded by Clr Ben Moroney from Campbelltown who said:


"Local Government NSW is an organisation of community representatives. If we cannot take a stand in defense of local communities fighting for their Councils, what are we here for?"


Long-time campaigner against forced Council amalgamations David Shoebridge said:
"Tumbarumba and Gundagai shires should have been formally invited to the conference instead of being forced to protest outside of it.
 "From day one the Greens have stood with local councils and local residents in support of local democracy.
 "I am focused on changing the law so that Tumbarumba and Gundagai are at the next Local Government conference as full blown council members.
"We know how important local councils are to the social and economic heartbeat of regional towns and villages.
"Too often when a local council is merged with one or more neighbouring councils, a period of economic decline follows with jobs being shed and reduced economic activity that hits small towns especially hard," Mr Shoebridge said.
 Tumbarumba protesters with Greens Councillors Katie Milne, Lou Steer, Col Heese and Independent Pauline Lockie