Maitland and Dungog councils want exemption on merger rate freeze

General managers from each council presented submissions to state government delegate Dr Ian Tiley at a public forum in Maitland on Thursday, along with several other council and community representatives.

Maitland general manager David Evans said there would be a predicted $1.3 million operating deficit each year for the first four years of the new council. He said Maitland’s submission called for the ward system to remain in place and for the office of mayor to remain a popularly elected position.

Mr Evans said Dungog ratepayers should be exempt from the state’s proposed four-year rate freeze, if a merger went ahead.

“A freeze on rating would have a significant impact on the path to sustainability for the merged council,” he said.

Dungog general manager Craig Deasey said the shire also opposed the government’s rate moratorium. 

He said Dungog Council preferred to stand alone, but wanted “a seat at the table”.

Former town planner Richard Bennett said he had experienced council mergers first-hand in northern NSW in the 1970s. 

He said a full scale merger between Maitland and Dungog councils would be “a recipe for disaster”.

Dungog councillor Linda Bowden read a statement from mayor Harold Johnston, who was absent from the forum. 

Cr Johnston’s statement also called for Dungog to be exempt from the rate freeze and said that Maitland would be Dungog’s preferred partner if a forced amalgamation took place.

Millers Forest self-funded retiree Gloria Green said she supported Maitland Council’s seven-year rate rise, even though she could “ill afford it”.

“Apologies to Dungog, but I really wanted that money spent on Maitland and Maitland residents,” she said.