MAJORITY OF NSW COUNCILS DEEMED UNFIT

Four Councils in the Hunter Valley have been deemed unfit under the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future proposals.

Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland and Dungog were all deemed by IPART not to meet the criteria established by the government last year.

IPART Chairman Dr Peter Boxall says only 52 of 139 proposals (from 144 councils across NSW) were found to be fit.

“All proposals to either stand-alone or merge were assessed according to whether they delivered the scale and capacity, financial sustainability, the ability to effectively manage infrastructure and services, and efficiency for the community as required under the criteria,”Dr Boxall said.

IPART options included an amalgamation between Lake Macquarie and Newcastle councils and a merger between Dungog and Maitland.

An amalgamation between Gosford and Wyong councils was also an option with both councils deemed unfit.