Some Hawkesbury councillors have spoken out saying they want a united voice from Council opposing amalgamation with The Hills Shire Council.
At the Council meeting on Tuesday, November 24, some councillors voiced their criticism of the argument Council, and in particular, Mayor Kim Ford, has made in wake of the revelation The Hills is seeking an amalgamation.
Council and Cr Ford have used strong language in their opposition to amalgamation, likening The Hills’ intentions to merge with the Hawkesbury as a ‘takeover’.
Crs Mary Lyons-Buckett, Paul Rasmussen, Barry Calvert and Christine Paine all voiced various objections to the strong language used by Council in press releases and Cr Ford when speaking to the media.
Cr Lyons-Buckett said the way Council had framed its objections, suggested it had already conceded defeat.
“It is almost as if it assumed [The Hills will take over],” she said.
“Our best chance is to have a strong voice and say you can't have us because we are fit to stand alone.
“We should be promoting ourselves as being worthy as being a stand-alone Council.
“If we truly believe that, we should be putting out the positive aspects of what we are moving towards.”
Cr Ford defended his and the Council’s strong stance.
“We are here fighting for our lives. We are under attack and siege from The Hills,” he said.
Cr Paine was particularly scathing in her comments about Council and Cr Ford.
“I have grave concerns about the press releases we are putting out and think there is a lot of scaremongering in it and I don't think it is winning us any friends,” she said.
“Statements that we are under siege and fighting for our lives are just ludicrous. Those kind of statements are giving fodder to amalgamation.”
Cr Calvert said he agreed with Cr Ford that The Hills were pushing for a takeover, but also distanced himself from the stance of Council.
“Why is it [the push for amalgamation] happening here? You have to look at the two factions of the Liberal Party who are fighting,” he said.
“In the north-west you have one faction and here you have another.
“I see this as yet another punch in the Liberal factional fight and I don't really want to get involved in those fights.”
Cr Calvert also questioned why Council was appealing to the state government for aid.
“The premier and the state government are causing this to happen and appealing to them is a total waste of time,” he said.
“It is like appealing to the firing squad and asking them not to shoot.”
At the start of the meeting, Cr Rasmussen moved a motion to seek comment from the public gallery on the issue of amalgamation, however, it was defeated 6-6 on the casting vote of the Mayor.
Cr Rasmussen said he was disappointed the motion was defeated, and said of all the voices which should be heard, the public was the most important.
“The community is fighting for its existence as the Hawkesbury,” he said.
“I am very disappointed you would cast against members of the gallery who may wish to talk on this particular subject.
“This is warfare between some factions of the Liberal Party and The Hills and we are caught in the crossfire and the community will be collateral damage.”
From the meeting, Council decided to have a briefing session on Thursday, November 26, to discuss the matter of amalgamation, and develop a united voice to oppose the amalgamation.
