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Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash has welcomed the news Shoalhaven and Kiama councils will not be merged.
“I’m proud of the fact council put forward a case that made the government see the proposal was flawed and the financial impacts would have been detrimental to our community,” she said.
“Common sense has finally prevailed over a theoretical notion that a merger would provide benefits to our community.”
Cr Gash said while Shoalhaven City Council was not opposed to the state government’s merger agenda the proposed merger of Kiama and Shoalhaven councils was “simply unworkable”.
“[The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal] recommended we stay separate. It’s what the two councils wanted and what the overwhelming majority of residents wanted.”
Cr Gash said it was unfortunate the community and council were forced to invest considerable work into fighting what described as an “ill-conceived proposal”.
She paid tribute to general manager Russ Pigg, who was recalled from annual leave when the proposal was announced in December.
“He put in a lot of work and presented a very fair and balanced report that helped convince the government the proposal would not work,” she said.
“So council is open for business ... and we will continue to be sustainable into the future as a standalone council.”
Veteran councillor Greg Watson, who led the community against the merger, said he was “chuffed” by the news.
“I’m pleased the premier listened to the community,” he said.
“This is a victory for people power. And it’s a victory that should have been led by council. It shouldn’t have been left to a loose knit group of councillors and others to lead the community.”
Cr Watson said Kiama MP Gareth Ward deserved acknowledgement for opposing the proposal.
He also thanked the thousands of people who signed the petition and who wrote submissions.
While welcoming the decision, Cr Andrew Guile was critical of Cr Gash’s initial response to the merger proposal.
"There are some who used this process to just condemn the NSW government as an exercise in politics. Others like our own Mayor used the process as an attempt to ingratiate themselves by being compliant,” he said.
