We held our final Council meeting for the year on Monday night. While there was a lot of goodwill at that meeting and it was generally recognised by Councillors and staff that this was the best year ever for Dubbo City Council (and I will give a year in review in my column next week), a dark cloud was hanging over our heads.
Despite a record year for financial grants; despite various business units performing well above benchmark figures; despite great numbers through our airport and livestock markets; despite Council and Councillor satisfaction levels at all-time highs; despite high levels of community consultation; despite the outright support from our local Member; despite 83 per cent of the community wanting to stay as a standalone Council and Councillors unanimously agreeing and lastly, despite our Council area being officially declare ‘Fit for the Future’ the State Government released their maps on Friday of how they see local government boundaries into the future.
Unfortunately, despite all of the evidence to the contrary, the State Government is proposing to merge the 3,425 square kilometres in the Dubbo Local Government Area (LGA) with the 4,113 square kilometres in the Wellington LGA. The final map boundaries would see a journey of over 160km to travel from one side of the new area to the other. It would require a group of Councillors to be across issues that span a huge range of geographical and social issues. I fear the loss of democracy and representation for Wellington. With a population of 9054 the 41,573 residents of Dubbo would probably result in only one or two Councillors from Wellington on an eleven person Council. Despite the best efforts from all Councillors, it would be difficult for Councillors to not be somewhat Dubbo-centric in the decision making process. There is also a reasonable expectation that residents can expect to see the Mayor and Councillors in their community – not only at events and functions but also in supermarkets and shopping on weekends. I know the work that is required in the Dubbo community as a Councillor and as Mayor. I am sure the Mayor of Wellington would concur with the amount of time that is spent in that community as well. It would be unreasonable to expect a Mayor or Councillor to be adding a large commute to the time required to travel around the combined area of 7,538 square kilometres. There is no doubt in my mind that both communities would suffer from less access to their elected representatives.
Regional areas may not have the population numbers of Sydney councils but distance, surely, is a factor. When I look at some of the Sydney LGAs I think it does make sense to amalgamate. Hunters Hill springs to mind – 5.75 square kilometres (that is a decimal point not a comma). Population of 14,689. Their proposed merger with the 11 square kilometres of Lane Cove and the 40.651 square kilometres of Ryde makes some sense. The new LGA would still only be just over 57 square kilometres. This is 0.76 per cent of the size of the proposed Dubbington LGA.
Despite the disappointment of last week, we should look reflect on what a wonderful year we have had and on behalf of Councillors and staff, I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and all the very best for the New Year.
Councillor Mathew Dickerson
Mayor of the City of Dubbo