Mosman welcomes merger backflip

Mosman Council has welcomed the State Government’s decision not to proceed with the forced amalgamation of councils in metropolitan Sydney, including the proposed merger of Mosman Council with Willoughby and North Sydney Councils.

“Mosman Council has remained decisive in its support for independence and our residents and ratepayers backed this in numerous polls and surveys indicating more than 80% wanted Mosman to remain self-governing,” Mosman Mayor Peter Abelson said.

“The community saw only downside for the Mosman community in the NSW Government’s proposed merger with Willoughby and North Sydney Councils. There would be a loss of representation in strategic and daily decision making, less community involvement in the greatly enlarged council and threats to local social and cultural services without any offsetting benefits.

“This decision vindicates our strong opposition to the unpopular proposed forced merger of Mosman. This was based on flawed financial modelling and in direct contravention of our residents’ democratic wishes,” Cr Abelson, a noted economist, said.

The decision comes just weeks ahead of the election of a new Council in September and the development of a new MOSPLAN next year to guide Council’s efforts over the next decade.

“We will now be able to continue Mosman’s 124-year tradition of providing high service levels, financial efficiencies and supporting local democracy that can be found in small well-run councils,” Cr Abelson said.

“The removal of the cloud of possible amalgamation provides a great opportunity for Council to start thinking afresh about further improvements to our services.”