The Boundaries Commission held hearings in Gundagai on Tuesday 18 February, at 2:00pm at the Gundagai District Services Club which was well supported with well over 200 residents voicing their concerns. Cootamundra held theirs on the following day from 9:30am at the Cootamundra Ex-Servicemen’s and Citizens Memorial Club.
During the meeting, the Boundaries Commissioners stated they would have their recommendations (report) to the Minister of Local Government before the middle of the year regarding the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) demerger.
After receiving their report the Minister has 28 days to make his decision about whether to create two new independent councils ie to demerge CGRC.
Rick Firman OAM from Temora Shire, Ruth Fagan from Cowra Shire, and Doug Walker from the NSW Government, along with chairperson Peter Duncan were barraged with a wave of dissatisfaction from the Gundagai community. It was quickly apparent that these people have had enough.
Abb McAlister said during the meeting, the State Government touted the fact that the newly merged Council would save $3 million dollars over the ensuing 20 years. In reality, and despite their best efforts, the Council now finds itself with a cost deficit of $44 million dollars after just eight years.”
Penny Nicholson, Councillor for CGRC, attended both meetings and was impressed by the support. “The Gundagai one was extremely well attended. I would estimate that there were 220 people in attendance at that meeting. There was a terrific cross-section there as well. It is important to note that both meetings were held at difficult times for people to attend, in particular people who are working.
“All were committed and concerned community members. What was terrific to see was that there was a great representation of Council workers, in particular outdoor staff, but I’m sure there was administration staff there as well, but they had to open the expanding doors because there was insufficient room in the function area, and they opened the doors to a sea of high vis which were Council employees.
“My understanding is they had to take annual leave to attend the meeting, which is fair enough and I have no problem with that, but that just shows the commitment and the interest that the staff have got in this demerger issue.”
Nicholson also spoke on the Cootamundra side of things.
“The Cootamundra one was well attended and it was good to see a good cross section of the Cootamundra community there and all interested in the current issues. It was very encouraging.
“We heard from the previous Mayor, Charlie Sheahan and he spoke about how he found it when he was the Mayor previously. It was excellent to hear input from him. We also heard from previous councillor Leigh Bowden and she had some terrific input as well from the perspective that the two communities of Cootamundra and Gundagai are vastly different and have been forever.
“The current sitting councillors are unified. Following the Local Govern-ment elections in September last year a vote was taken by the newly elected councillors and the vote was unanimous to push forward with the de-merger process.
“I would say with these two Boundary Commissions in Cootamundra and Gundagai today, that the bigger desire is stronger than ever.
“I would like to mention the communities of Cootamundra and Gundagai, time and time again we have had Boundaries Commissions sittings, we’ve had phone polls, we’ve asked for them to attend public meetings and every single time the community rallies. The community stands together because this is what they want.
“Congratulations to the community because without the community we haven’t got the support that we need to push forward again.”
They also heard from Councillor David Graham. Nicholson said, “David Graham spoke on a deeply personal level, the toll that this forced merger has taken on him. It was very brave of him to speak the way he did and he also pointed out some financial anomalies because he has an incredible financial background.
“It was very important to hear from David and that the community has an understanding of the financial impact that this merger has taken upon Cootamundra and Gundagai.”
The fight continues on as the communities rally.
-Jack Murray
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