News

Comprehensive information about the merger proposal is available on the Council Boundary Review website.

Benefits of the Merger Proposal

The Government has outlines the benefits of its proposal, including:

• A total financial benefit of $49 million over a 20 year period to be reinvested in better services and more infrastructure
• $20 million for community infrastructure projects and merger transition
• Common parking system to deliver a reciprocal permit across both new councils
• Reduced infrastructure backlog
• Effective representation
• Completion of the B-Line bus rapid transit project
• Integrated management of the Narrabeen Lagoon and Narrabeen Lagoon Catchment area
• Preservation and improvement of access to the coastal environment
• A new strategic centre at the Northern Beaches Hospital Precinct
• Preservation of the Pittwater waterway – the largest harbour in Sydney outside of Sydney Harbour

The Expanded Council Proposal

The NSW Government has proposed an expanded council for Pittwater to include the suburbs of Narrabeen, Collaroy, Collaroy Plateau, Long Reef, Cromer, Wheeler Heights, Frenchs Forest, Belrose, Davidson, Terrey Hills, Oxford Falls, Duffys Forest and Cottage Point.

Local Government Expert Supports Expanded Pittwater

During the course of the local government reform process to date Pittwater Council has undertaken significant pieces of research investigating the best outcome for Pittwater.

Local government expert Professor Brian Dollery says that an expanded Pittwater Council is the most sensible and economically responsible outcome for the region possible as it will:

• Ensure the strengthening of villages and communities, retention of local character, community of interest and identity
• Safeguard the custodianship over a unique waterway
• Retain lower density development in keeping with the natural environment and heritage
• Provide sufficient scale for the expanded council for Pittwater to be financially sustainable and deliver strong economic management
• Create two more equitable councils providing joint services and working collaboratively to deliver stronger representative advocacy for the SHOROC area when dealing with state and federal governments

Have Your Say

You can have your say on the NSW Government proposal by:

1. Speaking at the Public Inquiry Meeting

• Tuesday 2 February 2016 at Mona Vale Memorial Hall.
• Note: You MUST register online by noon on 29 January 2016.

2. Writing a Submission

• Online submission
• By mail: C/- Council Boundary Review Submissions, GPO Box 5341, Sydney NSW 2001
• Submissions must be received by Sunday 28 February 2016, 5pm. Please note - consultation is only on the proposal and comments are to be on factors outlined here.

Decision Making Process

At the conclusion of the public consultation period the Delegate reviewing the proposal Mr Richard Pearson will provide a report to the Minister for Local Government and the Boundaries Commission. 

Having considered reports from the Delegate and the Boundaries Commission, the Minister may or may not recommend to the Governor of NSW that the proposed merger be implemented. 

It is anticipated that new councils will by proclaimed by the middle of 2016. The NSW Government has also announced that Local Government elections will likely be delayed until March 2017.