An overwhelming 85% of the Canada Bay community have said “no” to forced council amalgamations, sending a strong message to the State Government says City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas.
The results from an independent community poll will be used to lobby the Local Government Review Panel against forced council amalgamations in NSW.
“We commissioned the poll to allow our community to have its say on proposed local government amalgamations in NSW and the results could not be clearer: our community is against this Council merging,” Mayor Tsirekas said.
“This is a crucial issue for our community and they have not been consulted. Now we have the feedback and we believe the Panel needs to take notice of this.”
The independent telephone poll of 800 residents was conducted earlier this month, as well as an online poll, which is still taking votes.
Mayor Tsirekas said the Canada Bay community had already been through a voluntary amalgamation in 2000 with the merging of Concord and Drummoyne Councils and should not be forced to go through the process again without a chance to express their opinion.
“The independent review is looking at how to make local government more efficient and we have no issue with this, but grouping together unsustainable Councils is not going to solve any issues,” he said.
“We have a strong financial report card and an excellent relationship with our community – and both will be in jeopardy if amalgamations go ahead.”
Residents not contacted as part of the telephone poll can still have their say by visiting the City of Canada Bay’s website by following the links from the home page.