HAWKESBURY Council rescinded a decision to pursue a joint Independent Hearing and Assessment Panel with Penrith and Blue Mountains councils.
At the November 14 Council meeting, councillors voted 6-5 to rescind a motion from August about pursuing a joint IHAP to save on costs.
Mayor Mary Lyons-Buckett noted, however, a joint IHAP could be looked into if combined efforts of western Sydney councils to halt IHAP legislation failed.
The Mayor said the motion to rescind was because it was inconsistent with the Mayoral Minute, adopted earlier in the meeting, where Council decided to oppose IHAPs along with other councils.
Liberal councillor Tiffany Tree originally floated the idea of a joint IHAP.
She was of the opinion that if councils must use IHAPs, then Council ought to see if it could share a panel with Penrith and Blue Mountains councils as a way of saving money.
Mayor Lyons-Buckett, Cr Ross, Cr Rasmussen, Cr Reynolds, Cr Garrow and Cr Wheeler voted to rescind the motion.
Deputy Mayor Calvert, Cr Kotlash, Cr Zamprogno, Cr Tree and Cr Richards voted against rescinding. Cr Conolly was absent.
