Maitland Council puts merger business case online to inform public opinion

But that report will soon be published on Maitland Council’s website, to help inform public opinion about the city’s future.

Maitland and Dungog councils had an independent merger business case written last year, after the government recommended the amalgamation.

But Maitland general manager David Evans told the council meeting on Tuesday that the report had not been given to Local Government Minister Paul Toole.

Instead, Mr Evans said, Maitland City and Dungog Shire submitted council improvement plans to the government, which outlined how each would be viable in the future as stand-alone entities.

The independent merger business plan will be available for the public to read on Maitland Council’s website from this week. It will also be sent to the government.

The business plan did not make a recommendation for or against a merger, but was an analysis of the cost and results of a merger between Maitland and Dungog.

“We don’t necessarily want to be involved in this process at all, but we are,” Mr Evans told the meeting on Tuesday.

“It may well become more complex than it is already.

“The real issue is making sure the community has the information on which they can base their opinion.”

The government put the Maitland/Dungog merger plan back on the table last week, despite the proposal having been overturned last year in favour of an amalgamation between Dungog and Gloucester Shire Council.

Public submissions are open through the Office of Local Government until April 15.

Government delegate Dr Ian Tiley will host a public forum at Maitland City Bowling Club from 9am on April 7. 

Bookings for the forum are essential and can be made through the OLG website.

Meanwhile, Port Stephens Council unanimously voted on Tuesday to begin formal discussions with Dungog shire officials about a merger.