HAWKESBURY, Penrith and Blue Mountains councils have formed a regional strategic alliance to promote common interests.
The councils raised this possibility in 2014, when they announced they would work together on economic development and environmental protection.
Recently, the three mayors, Kim Ford of Hawkesbury, Penrith’s Ross Fowler and the Blue Mountains’ Mark Greenhill, signed a regional co-operation agreement.
‘‘We are taking a leadership role in planning and governing the western metropolitan region,’’ Mayor Ford said.
‘‘One of our aims is to be a united voice for the region, advocating for the benefit of all three local government areas.’’
He said this did not mean any of the councils were considering a formal merger, nor did the Local Government Minister consider any of them candidates for amalgamation.
‘‘Amalgamation would lead to a bigger area and less representation for local people,’’ Mayor Ford said.
A longer version of this story appears in the Hawkesbury Gazette of July 29, 2015.
