The Hilltops Council may be a step closer to receiving an answer to its question over a perceived shortfall in promised amalgamation transitional funding.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Council sought assurances from the Berejiklian State Government in 2017 that they would pay a $2.3m shortfall in funding to meet the transition costs for the amalgamated council.
Councillors have claimed they will have to take funds from other projects to make up the difference between what the Government initially gave to amalgamate and the actual cost of the merger of three councils into one entity if the funds aren't forthcoming.
Mayor Ingram said he has made it clear to the Liberal National Party Government that the $5 million allocated to fund transition expenses has fallen well short of what’s needed.
“The last conversation I had with the Minister for Local Government Gabrielle Upton was a very short and terse one where she basically dismissed my concerns,” he said.
“It is incomprehensible that the Government allocated $10 million for two councils to amalgamate in metro areas and only allocated $5 million for three to merge in a regional area.”
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said she is fighting for a resolution to the cash crisis.
“Getting a meeting with the Premier is difficult at the best of times - and I took it as a sign that this is an issue of such importance to me that she agreed to meet at short notice to see how this can be progressed," she said.
“We have agreed to work together with the Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton to push for a resolution.
“The council knows that I have been strongly advocating on their behalf and I will continue to do so. This is an ongoing process and Mayor Ingram and I understand the need to keep each other abreast of developments."
But Ms Cooke said the Council also has an obligation to keep her up to date with the progress of State Government grant funded projects.
“I have spoken to Mayor Ingram and I feel reassured that Hilltops Council will keep me up to speed on where projects are up to," she said.
“I understand the passions of councillors and staff to deliver projects for the community, and I am working hard to help them achieve those goals."
