Boundaries Commission Inquiry
The Local Government Boundaries Commission is an independent statutory authority constituted under section 260 of the Local Government Act 1993 (theAct). The Boundaries Commission has several functions under the Act. In summary its main functions are:
1. to examine and report on any matter referred to it by the Minister in relation to the boundaries of local government areas and the areas of operation
of county councils; and
2. where a matter (as described in (i) above) has been referred to the Chief Executive of the Office of Local Government for examination and report, to
review that Report and provide comments to the Minister.
Commissioners
The Commission’s four members are appointed by the Governor for a five-year term. They are:
* Mr Bob Sendt (Chairman) * Councillor Rick Firman OAM * Councillor Lesley Furneaux-Cook * Mr Grant Gleeson
Public Inquiry into business case to De-Amalgamate Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council
Written Submissions
The Commission has now published public notices in a number of newspapers calling for written submissions from parties affected by the proposal. Written submissions on the business case should be forwarded to Local Government Boundaries Commission, Executive Officer, Locked Bag 3015, Nowra NSW 2541 or emailed to EO@lgbc.nsw.gov.au. Submissions must be lodged by COB on 2 May 2022.
The Commission will hold public hearings over the following sessions:
Venue 1: Cootamundra Ex-Services Club, 299 Parker Street, Cootamundra
Wednesday 27 April 2022
Session 1: 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Thursday 28 April 2022
Session 2: 9:30am – 12:00pm
Venue 2: Gundagai District Services Club, 254 Sheridan
Street, Gundagai
Thursday 28 April 2022
Session 1: 4:30pm – 7:00pm
Friday 29 April 2022
Session 2: 9:30am – 12:00pm
Members of the community are encouraged to visit https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/commissions-and-tribunals/localgovernment-boundaries-commission/ to register to attend as an observer or to spea
RECENT UPDATE ON BOUNDARIES COMMISSION ON DEMERGER PROPOSALS.
MAY 2021 – As most residents would be aware CGRC and concerned residents made submissions to the Boundaries Commission in November last year in relation to the proposal for a demerger of the current Council (CGRC).
A delegation from CGRC represented Council and the communities at meetings with NSW State Parliamentarians in February.
The Boundaries Commission report was submitted to the Minister for Local Government Hon Shelley Hancock MP, in early February. Council wrote to the Minister in March, asking for a decision regarding the Boundaries Commission report and the proposition of demerging the Council. A reply was received from the Ministers office advising that the decision will be taken in due course. At the time of going to press, Council has had no further announcements from the Minister for Local Government.
CGRC mayor Cr Abb McAlister said he was disappointed that a decision either way has not yet been made.
“The situation at present is frustrating and hampers Council’s ability to look to the future, Council has applied for a Special Rate Variation to assist with the financial stability of the Council operations. We have to look, at present, with two scenarios going forward, Council remaining as it is or in a demerger situation. This is both challenging and time consuming for staff and puts us all in a position of uncertainty whilst raising complex issues. All we need is a decision,” Cr McAlister said.
Council will endeavour to keep residents notified as this situation evolves.
A media release from lgbc 16 July 2020 can be found on the following link
Residents across the Council local government area (LGA) were invited to make submissions to the Boundaries Commission in relation to the de-amalgamation of the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council. The Boundaries Commission has determined that public notices of the proposal and a call for submissions will be advertised in local and national newspapers. Residents can access a “Frequently Asked Questions” document from Councils website www.cgrc.nsw.gov.au/boundaries-commisson-inquiry or www.olg.nsw.gov.au/lgbc.
The Local Government Boundaries Commission has deferred its public hearings into the demerger proposal. “This postponement is necessary to ensure compliance with Public Health Orders enforcing restrictions on gatherings to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19″. said Commission Chair Bob Sendt. “The public hearings will be deferred until such time as they can be held in accordance with the Local Government Act and open to the public to attend.” The Boundaries Commission is extending the period for written submissions beyond the original closing date of 24 April 2020. The submission period will remain open until further notice. The Boundaries Commission will notify the public of the revised closing date for submissions and the dates and venues for hearings once COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings are lifted. At least 40 days’ notice will be given of these dates. Written submissions can be forwarded to the Local Government Boundaries Commission, Executive Officer, Locked Bag 3015, Nowra NSW 2541 or emailed to EO@lgbc.nsw.gov.au.
The Commission has published FAQs on its website to inform the local community about the process.
Information relating to the Boundaries Commission Submission is now available on Councils website. Dr Joseph Drew’s informative videos and final report to be presented to the Boundaries Commission can be accessed below. The information contained within the videos will assist with lodging a submission.
The Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Shelley Hancock (the Minister), received a proposal to effectively re-establish the former Gundagai Shire Council local government area which would reduce the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) local government area to that of the former Cootamundra Shire Council and establish a new local government area with the same boundaries as the former Gundagai Shire Council.
Council has engaged Professor Joseph Drew to develop a series of short (5 minute) videos explaining various important concepts, such as:
(i) a Boundaries Commission inquiry into a possible de-amalgamation,
(ii) rates harmonisation (the 3 year legislated rate freeze has expired), and
(iii) harmonisation of fees and charges such as waste, water and sewer.
This is consistent with Council’s aim to ensure that it’s ratepayers have access to the best information possible for decision making.
Videos can be viewed by clicking on the links below:
Video One
Video Two
Video Three
Video Four
Video Five
Video Six
WRITTEN SUBMISSION
SURVEY RESULTS
DEAMALGAMATION ONGOING BENEFITS
SURVEY RESULTS
COMMUNITY FISCAL ILLUSION
WASTE
WATER AND SEWER
