HAWKESBURY Council reversed last week’s rejection of its Fit for the Future plan and approved it at last night’s meeting.
Mayor Kim Ford said if the plan was not passed by June 30, Hawkesbury Council could find itself a candidate for forced amalgamation.
The state government required most NSW councils to submit such plans to the Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) for consideration as to whether they were viable.
Other councillors argued Hawkesbury’s Fit for Future plan still contained its special rate variation, which could allow for rate increases totalling 25 per cent over the next five years.
‘‘Most of the last meeting was taken up by councillors concerned with the rate variation,’’ Mayor Ford said.
‘‘The rescission motion will be able to correct that by putting back the rate variation to the council’s next term.’’
The mayor said it also allowed for wide community consultation and discussion of other money-raising strategies.
He said the important thing was to meet IPART’s deadline, otherwise Hawkesbury Council could be deemed ‘‘unfit’’ and forced to amalgamate.
‘‘We’d be leaving the gate open for The Hills to come in,’’ Mayor Ford said.
‘‘If The Hills got any part of our area, we’d have no chance of survival.
‘‘I got the message people didn’t want the special rate variation and want consultation, but we have to show we’re fit, otherwise we’ll be broken up.’’
Councillor Mary Lyons-Buckett said it was better to submit a good plan to IPART, even if it were late.
‘‘Why wouldn’t IPART be open to a rational request for us to put in a better plan?’’ Councillor Lyons-Buckett said.
She said there was no evidence this would lead to forced amalgamation.
She also said the council should be seriously working on plans to raise revenue to make the special rate variation unnecessary.
‘‘We don’t want a situation where a rate variation is forced upon us,’’ Councillor Lyons-Buckett said.
‘‘I think we could make a stand and show what the Hawkesbury has to offer as a stand-along council.
‘‘I’d be prepared to take the risk of making a good proposal and getting it in a week later.’’
Councillors Paul Rasmussen and Christine Paine endorsed their colleague’s words and said they resented what appeared to be bullying from the state government.
However, Councillor Mike Creed said his colleagues had to be ‘‘realistic’’.
‘‘Like it or not, we’re a lower level part of the state government and we have to go with what the state government is telling us,’’ Councillor Creed said.
Councillor Warwick Mackay said the council might even have to accept a rate variation, if no alternative could be found.
‘‘We have to show them [IPART] we have a plan,’’ Councillor Mackay said.
After one hour’s debate, councillors voted 6-4 to approve the plan.