After the fitness tests, the ongoing discussions and political wrangling, the memorandums of understanding with neighbours, threats from state government and conditional approvals, what are we left with?
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Well, it appears as though it’s business as usual in the Bega Valley...for now.
Bega Valley councillors voted on Monday afternoon to proceed with a merger with Bombala Council – if our High Country neighbour and the state government agreed to a list of conditions.
Perhaps those conditions were a bridge too far for Bombala, with Mayor Bob Stewart having a change of heart during the week.
He’d previously gone on record as having been pleased with the idea of an amalgamation with Bega Valley.
However, come crunch time at Tuesday’s meeting, Cr Stewart “went with his gut” along with other councillors to align Bombala with High Country cousins Cooma-Monaro and Snowy River.
To be fair, at first appearance the conditions prepared by Michael Britten and the BVSC had little benefit for Bombala aside from the “jump before you’re pushed” element of council amalgamations.
The seven elected councillors of Bombala were to become a committee under Bega Valley, Leanne Barnes would assume general manager duties for the combined council, and all assets and finances current at the time of a merger would only be available for the benefit of each shire separately.
Bega Valley has been left asking ‘what next?’ with proposals on voluntary mergers, or otherwise, due back with the state government by close of business yesterday (Wednesday, November 18).
And despite previous commitments to never force amalgamations on anyone, Andrew Constance and the NSW Liberal government have since leaned quite heavily, on Eurobodalla in particular.
What does that mean for the future assuming both Bega Valley and Eurobodalla continue along the standalone path?
Does the state government have a leg to stand on given the independent review of local government ruled both councils fit in their own right?
And will the planned $22million upgrade of Mt Darragh Rd fall back to council now after BVSC flagged it as a priority condition of the merger?
