“Given the strong indications that the NSW State Government is reviewing the policy on council mergers, we want to reiterate that this Council’s position has always been that we would prefer to remain a stand-alone Council.
“Our Council has always been very clear, that should the mergers not go ahead for any reason, the City of Canada Bay should remain.
“The City of Canada Bay has demonstrated that we are prepared to make difficult decisions and act in the best long-term interests of our community,” the Mayor said.
The local community wants this council to remain. An independent survey conducted by Micromex Research in 2015 at the time of the initial merger proposals, found 75% of locals surveyed supported the City of Canada Bay standing alone.
PriceWaterhouseCoopers independent auditor’s report on Council’s financial position in August 2016 found that the City of Canada Bay exceeds industry benchmarks in all six ‘Fit for the Future’ Key Performance Indicators.
“The City of Canada Bay has consistently demonstrated leadership through sound stewardship and governance and has been recognised both within local government and broader industry for our innovation and achievements,” said Mayor Helen McCaffrey.
City of Canada Bay Mayor Helen McCaffrey added that when the State Government was clearly proceeding with mergers, Council was willing to use the opportunity to build on the achievements of the Council to date to benefit the local community. However, if the mergers were not to go ahead for whatever reason, that Council should continue to stand alone. The resolution was passed by the Council unanimously.