IT’S official. Tenterfield Shire will not be forced to amalgamate.
Last June the interim report of the NSW Independent Local Government Review Panel recommended the amalgamation of Glen Innes Severn and Tenterfield Shire Councils in 2020.
Not satisfied with the panel’s recommendation, Tenterfield Shire Council made submissions to the independent panel demonstrating the council’s comprehensive plan for financial sustainability and ongoing consultation with the community.
The panel has now released its final report, in which Tenterfield Shire Council has been removed from the list of proposed amalgamations.
“This is a great result for our shire, and a credit to the councillors for whom this has been a difficult process”, Mayor Peter Petty said.
“Our staff, and especially our senior management team have worked tirelessly in preparing plans by which Council has demonstrated we are viable, and can maintain our assets into the future.
“While this necessitates increases to rates, we will still be lower than Glen Innes Severn while retaining Tenterfield Shire’s own council.”
The release of the report confirms statements made in December by Minister for Local Government Don Page.
