Minister cannot Ignore Guyra Community Concerns

Shadow Minister for Local Government, Greg Warren, has demanded the Minister for

Local Government, Shelley Hancock, listen to and address the concerns of the Guyra

community.

Guyra Shire Council was forced to merge with Armidale Dumaresq Council back in

2016, as part of the NSW Liberals and Nationals bungled forced amalgamations policy.

The policy has had a dire impact on a number of communities throughout the state.

The Central Coast Council were suspended due to the inability to manage financial

costs stemming from the merger while Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council is

looking at implementing a 53.5 percent special rate variation due to its dire financial

predicament.

Guyra Anti-Council Amalgamation Group (ACTY) has indicated it plans to make a

submission to Minister Hancock which would see a new local government area created

and the town of Guyra break away from Armidale Regional Council.

Mr Warren said regardless of whether Minister Hancock agreed with the proposal or

not, she owed it to residents of Guyra to sit down and discuss the situation with them.

"It's irrelevant whether it's a small group or large group of Guyra residents who are

pushing for this break away," Mr Warren said.

The Minister has a responsibility to sit down with the community of Guyra and listen to

any concerns they may have.

The forced mergers policy has been dire for many communities throughout the state

including: Snowy Valleys Council; Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council; and the Central Coast Council.

Its clear that there are residents in Guyra who feel the merger has also had a

detrimental impact on their community.

"The community of Guyra don't just need lip service from the Minister , they need

action and for their concerns to actually be heard and resolved."

Findings from the Local Government Boundaries Commission examining the possible

demergers of Snowy Valleys Council and Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council

were handed to Minister Hancock almost one month ago.

The Minister has so far refused to make a decision or make the findings public.