Maitland Councillors to re-apply for their jobs

Local Government Minister Paul Toole told NSW councillors in a letter last week they would have to submit expressions of interest to continue their roles with council after the mid year merger announcements and before the elections, expected to be held in September at the earliest.

General managers have also been asked to submit expressions of interest.

Cr Blackmore said he believed the best setup for the transition period would be a council run by the two mayors and two general managers of the councils involved in the merger.

“I’m not surprised about [receiving] the letter,” he said.

“However, I thought there was talk previously that if, for example, Maitland and Dungog councils merged, it would be the mayors and the general managers.

“I would be supportive of that.

“What the government is looking for is an indication of acceptance of mergers.”

In the letter, Mr Toole did not rule out the possibility of installing administrators to run merging councils during the interim period.

“Options available under the Local Government Act 1993 may include the appointment of a single person or group of people (which may include councillors for presently existing council areas) to act as administrators for any new council,” Mr Toole wrote.

“In addition, new councils may establish committees to advise them on implementation of the merger and/or represent the local community.

“I reiterate that no decision has been taken on any merger proposal.”

Cr Blackmore said he would lodge an expression of interest to be involved during the interim period.

“I believe I have a lot to offer and I will support the decision the government makes,” he said.

A public meeting about the proposed Maitland-Dungog merger, involving government delegate Dr Ian Tiley, will be held at Club Maitland City at 9am on April 7.

Registrations for the meeting are compulsory and can me made at the NSW Council Boundary Review website.