A POSSIBLE amalgamation with Marrickville and Botany Bay councils, that will include the lucrative Sydney Airport and Port Botany, will be considered by Rockdale Council.
The council resolved in April to support voluntary mergers that would not have a detrimental financial effect on the community.
Mayor Shane O’Brien said at last week’s council meeting that he had been contacted by Marrickville Council to open talks on a possible merger.
The state government launched the $1billion Fit for the Future package last month. It will see $258million provided to those councils that merge, including $153million for councils in Sydney.
Councils have until June 30 next year to submit their proposal on how they plan to be ‘‘fit for the future’’.
Cr O’Brien said the council would consider all options as long as it benefited residents.
‘‘Personally, I think it’s important that any merger ensures long-term financial sustainability, improved service delivery and provides capacity for the new council to address issues impacting on our community as a result of our proximity to major infrastructure, such as the port and airport,’’ he said.
‘‘Rockdale residents bear the brunt of both pieces of major infrastructure.
‘‘More than 60 percent of trucks from the port travel west and south-west over our roads and the cost of maintaining our fragile beachfront is borne by Rockdale ratepayers.
"The port is a major contributor to the problem and council receives no income from them. The airport similarly attracts significant use of our roads, creates parking and congestion issues for our community and, in many cases, noise issues.
"It would make sense for the communities that bear the brunt of these national infrastructure assets to be able to recoup revenue to offset the negative aspects. From that perspective there is an obvious benefit in discussing the prospects of an amalgamation of the Botany Bay, Rockdale and Marrickville communities."
Marrickville mayor Mark Gardiner said he was opposed to amalgamation but would be open to discussions with neighbouring councils.
"Our external auditors have assured us that we are viable and sustainable and that we have no need to merge with another council," he said.
"Unfortunately, the state government is suggesting that it may force councils to merge if they cannot establish to its satisfaction that they are 'fit for the future'.
"It is therefore incumbent on council to at least open strategic dialogue with neighbouring councils to determine whether amalgamation with one or more of them would enable the state government's Fit for the Future criteria to be optimally met.
"Council has authorised its general manager to commence discussions with a number of neighbouring councils. In doing so, we are in no way committing to an amalgamation."
Botany Bay mayor Ben Keneally said he would not support a merger.
". . . We listen to our residents. Overwhelmingly our residents want to remain independent and not be absorbed into a larger council area," he said.
Would you support an amalgamation between Rockdale, Marrickville and Botany Bay councils?
