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But on May 26, councillors were notified by the council’s general manager that three Labor councilors who are not standing for reelection Anna York, Lucille McKenna and Sam Iskandar had tabled a rescission motion.
This is unlikely to pass but could cause enough delay to make it hard to get the poll on the September 4 ballot.
The
Local Government Act allows councils to undertake polls on specific questions, including at election time, and new amendments set out a process for de-amalgamation. A majority of residents voting to de-amalgamate would not be an automatic trigger but it would add to the pressure on the NSW government which forced the mergers to take place despite widespread opposition.
The
Local Government Act allows councils to undertake polls on specific questions, including at election times, and new amendments set out a process for de-amalgamation. A majority of residents voting to de-amalgamate would not be an automatic trigger, but it would add to the pressure on the NSW government which forced the mergers to take place despite widespread opposition.
Colin Hesse, Greens councilor for Marrickville, told
Green Left he is pleased the motion passed, saying the forced amalgamations of Marrickville, Ashfield and Leichhardt Councils by the NSW government was “undemocratic”.
“The continued refusal by the Labor councillors to support a referendum of residents on the amalgamation demonstrates just how distanced from the community the Labor machine is,” Hesse said.
The
Local Government Act allows councils to undertake polls on specific questions, including at election times, and new amendments set out a process for de-amalgamation. A majority of residents voting to de-amalgamate would not be an automatic trigger but it would add to the pressure on the NSW government which forced the mergers to take place despite widespread opposition.
Colin Hesse, Greens councilor for Marrickville, told
Green Left he was pleased the motion got up, saying the forced amalgamations of Marrickville, Ashfield and Leichhardt Councils by the NSW government was “undemocratic”.
“The continued refusal by the Labor councillors to support a referendum of residents on the amalgamation demonstrates just how distanced from the community the Labor machine is,” Hesse said.
The
Act also creates a new process for councils to push for de-amalgamation. It requires the NSW government to refer such a request (with a business case) from a council within 28 days to the NSW Boundaries Commission. However, it does not have to accept the Boundaries Commission recommendation.
Pip Hinman believes that the amendments seek to placate popular opposition to the forced amalgamation of several councils, including in the Inner West Council. Hinman is the lead candidate for the Socialist Alliance team who is running for the Inner West Council in Damun (Stanmore) ward.
“The bureaucratic process it offers does not change the fact that, ultimately, it is still up to the NSW government to decide to de-amalgamate or not, even if the Boundaries Commission recommends de-amalgamation.