RECENT UPDATE ON BOUNDARIES COMMISSION ON DEMERGER PROPOSALS.
A media release from lgbc 16 July 2020 can be found on the following link
Residents across the Council local government area (LGA) are invited to make submissions to the Boundaries Commission in relation to the de-amalgamation of the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council. The Boundaries Commission has determined that public notices of the proposal and a call for submissions will be advertised in local and national newspapers. Residents can access a “Frequently Asked Questions” document from Councils website www.cgrc.nsw.gov.au/boundaries-commisson-inquiry or www.olg.nsw.gov.au/lgbc.
The Local Government Boundaries Commission has deferred its public hearings into the demerger proposal. “This postponement is necessary to ensure compliance with Public Health Orders enforcing restrictions on gatherings to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19″. said Commission Chair Bob Sendt. “The public hearings will be deferred until such time as they can be held in accordance with the Local Government Act and open to the public to attend.” The Boundaries Commission is extending the period for written submissions beyond the original closing date of 24 April 2020. The submission period will remain open until further notice. The Boundaries Commission will notify the public of the revised closing date for submissions and the dates and venues for hearings once COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings are lifted. At least 40 days’ notice will be given of these dates. Written submissions can be forwarded to the Local Government Boundaries Commission, Executive Officer, Locked Bag 3015, Nowra NSW 2541 or emailed to EO@lgbc.nsw.gov.au.
The Commission has published FAQs on its website to inform the local community about the process.
Information relating to the Boundaries Commission Submission is now available on Councils website. Dr Joseph Drew’s informative videos and final report to be presented to the Boundaries Commission can be accessed below. The information contained within the videos will assist with lodging a submission.
The Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Shelley Hancock (the Minister), received a proposal to effectively re-establish the former Gundagai Shire Council local government area which would reduce the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) local government area to that of the former Cootamundra Shire Council and establish a new local government area with the same boundaries as the former Gundagai Shire Council.
Council has engaged Professor Joseph Drew to develop a series of short (5 minute) videos explaining various important concepts, such as:
(i) a Boundaries Commission inquiry into a possible de-amalgamation,
(ii) rates harmonisation (the 3 year legislated rate freeze has expired), and
(iii) harmonisation of fees and charges such as waste, water and sewer.
This is consistent with Council’s aim to ensure that it’s ratepayers have access to the best information possible for decision making.
Videos can be viewed by clicking on the links below:
Video One
Video Two
Video Three
Video Four
Video Five
Video Six
WRITTEN SUBMISSION