The 400-strong crowd at this morning’s Public Inquiry with Boundaries Commission delegate Amanda Chadwick entered the Country Club amid a silent protest which said so much.
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Placards with the messages ‘Our Community, Our Voice, Our Choice’ and ‘No Forced Amalgamation’, made the community’s feelings clear.
Inside, person after person stood up to speak in favour of a merger between Harden and Cootamundra Shires, as originally declared ‘Fit for the Future’ by the State Government.
There was a clear sentiment our Harden community felt let down by the process which led to such a strong turnout.
“Harden, to date, has not received any reason for the rejection of our Harden and Cootamundra proposal, and equally no reason to proceed with Harden, Boorowa and Young,” Harden Shire general manager Trevor Drowley said.
He confirmed for the benefit of the delegate, Harden Shire will submit an alternative proposal to that of the government’s supporting an amalgamation between Harden, Cootamundra and Gundagai.
After the community entered a vote of ‘No Confidence’ against Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson at last Tuesday’s community meeting at the Mechanic’s Institute, Ms Hodgkinson stood up at today’s meeting to declare her support loud and clear for a merger between Harden and Cootamundra.
“The proposal before you has left three of my Local Government areas miserable," Ms Hodgkinson said, addressing the delegate.
“There were two very sensible proposals put forward,” she continued, referring to the voluntary mergers put forward of Boorowa and Young and Cootamundra and Harden.
Harden resident Amy Mergard reiterated the community is not adverse to amalgamation, however asked for consideration to be given to the original Harden and Cootamundra proposal.
“We gave the government everything they wanted, we followed the rules, then the goal posts were changed,” Ms Mergard said.
Another resident Brendan Mackay did the maths to work out the proposed $30 million saving over 20 years equated to just 75 cents per resident of a combined Harden, Boorowa and Young Shire per week.
Peter O’Connor commented that he felt services would go backwards under an amalgamation with Young.
Wombat’s Kerry Eastlake bucked the trend to put to the audience a vote in favour of the ‘Hilltops merger’.
She said combining the tourism budgets of Young, Boorowa and Harden would result in the funds to run targeted actions to get international and Sydney-based tourists to the region.
A number of residents from Jugiong also spoke on behalf of their village, agreeing with a Cootamundra Shire proposal to carve the southern end of Harden, including Jugiong, out to go with Cootamundra and Gundagai should the minister not allow all of Harden Shire to move in that direction.
Following community submissions, Ms Chadwick confirmed she would include the voice of the community in her report.
“I have heard a very common view here today; I will do my best to articulate that I’ve heard that view in my report,” Ms Chadwick said.
Anyone who could not attend the meeting and wishes to have a voice on the merger can do so in writing until 5pm, Sunday February 28.
Submissions can be made at www.councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au or to: Council Boundary Review, GPO Box 5341, Sydney NSW 2001.
Following the receipt of submissions, Ms Chadwick will present her report to the minister by March 31.
She anticipates it will be published online soon after.
An answer from the minister regarding amalgamations is to be handed down mid-year.
Whatever happens, and let us hope the minister hears the voice of our community, Harden has certainly done all it can to change the mind of the government and encourage them to follow the original proposal of Cootamundra and Harden, which, under the current arrangement would also include Gundagai.
Read story on yesterday’s Cootamundra meeting with their delegate John Turner here: http://www.cootamundraherald.com.au/story/3707042/united-they-stand/?cs=581