THE New South Wales Government’s decision to extend Central Darling Shire’s administration for another four years has been branded an “outrage against local democracy”.
Local Government NSW (LGNSW) president Linda Scott has taken aim at the decision, saying it was unfair and inappropriate the community would now face almost 10 years without elected representatives.
Central Darling Shire, which takes in towns including Menindee, has been in administration since 2014.
“Residents will have gone nearly a decade without having a say in the future of their community,” Ms Scott said.
“This is a very real concern, particularly when you consider the current drought and the ongoing debate over the distribution of water in Menindee and NSW.”
Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock announced the extension on Friday. saying it would allow a long-term plan to be developed and implemented.
“This is a decision I don’t make lightly, however following advice from the current administration and the Office of Local Government, it was agreed the extension is in the best interests of the community,” Mrs Hancock said.
“While progress has been made over the past four years, the council remains under significant financial stress, especially given the drought.”
The shire is the largest in NSW, covering 53,511sq/km but has the smallest population with less than 2000 people.
According to LGNSW, when the shire went into administration is had an overdraft of $3 million and an annual rating income of about $1m.
Necessary expenditure was estimated at about $20 million, with much of that needed to maintain a massive road network that was 96 per cent unsealed, LGNSW said.
“The challenges — and those facing all councils in the remote west of the state — cannot be overcome by the removal of democratic representation,” Ms Scott said.
“It is time the NSW and federal governments admit that sustaining the far west communities and others like them involves increased and ongoing financial support.”
Member for Barwon Roy Butler said the extension was needed to allow the development of a strategy to deal with a large geographical area with a low rate base.
“There is still much work to do to strengthen financial management and organisational capacity and improve service delivery to the community,” he said.
