Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains and Penrith councils have all agreed it would be in everyone’s best interests if they buddied up and became the three amigos.
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Last week the three councils issued a joint statement saying that a strategic alliance would see the three work together in areas that may include economic development, tourism, environmental protection, urban development, recreation, infrastructure, education, procurement and advocacy for outer western Sydney.
Hawkesbury Mayor Kim Ford said ‘‘it is in the interests of our communities that we are proactive in exploring the possibilities of a strategic alliance between our regions as thoroughly as possible’’.
Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler said each area had its unique attributes ‘‘but as adjoining local areas we also face many similar needs and challenges’’.
“The alliance will be explored to ensure the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith region is strongly placed into the future to represent our common objectives,’’ he said.
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said a strategic alliance between the three made sense.
“The opportunities for co-operation, efficiencies and safeguards for our respective communities are worth exploring,’’ he said.
‘‘A regional alliance has the potential to yield benefits of economies of scale and scope whilst maintaining local identity and democracy.”
The population of the three areas will total about 415,000 in 15 years.
