6 September
The SA Greens say that the State Government’s council merger plans could lead to service cuts and reduced community representation.
“Mergers have been a disaster in New South Wales and Queensland. Many councils are seeking to reverse amalgamations after they have led to reduced services and voice for community” said Greens Local Government spokesperson and former Adelaide City Councillor, Robert Simms MLC.
“For regional areas mergers are particularly challenging as big, amalgamated councils can struggle to represent wide geographical areas with diverse interests. We are also concerned about the potential for job cuts in the local government sector, particularly during this period of economic uncertainty.”
“The Greens are yet to see any legislation from the Government. While we welcome news that the Premier is not pursuing amalgamations by force, we will be examining any legislation to ensure that community consultation is thorough.”