Pittwater Online News

Encouraging Meeting with Minister Hoenig: Update from Protect Pittwater - Restoring Pittwater Council

Protect Pittwater’s Business Case was formally submitted to the Minister for Local Government, the Hon. Ron Hoenig MP, on 28th September.

Just 17 days later, Protect Pittwater received an invitation to meet with the Minister at Parliament House - a significant next step in our ongoing efforts to secure a future for Pittwater that reflects the wishes and interests of our local community.

The meeting with Minister Hoenig was very encouraging and he remains supportive of referring our proposal to the NSW Boundaries Commission.

Protect Pittwater confirmed it had provided the additional signatures the Minister had requested. As he had not yet seen the Business Case, he was given a hard copy, with a second copy for Ms Jacqui Scruby MP.

The Minister reiterated repeatedly his strong support for restoring genuine local government where the community wants it - clearly forced amalgamation had failed. He confirmed the Business Council would decide its own process and may ask him for funds to appoint consultants to investigate our proposal.

He spoke highly of Peter Duncan, who heads the Boundaries Commission, describing him as “the smartest public servant in NSW.”

In a pre-meeting discussion with Ms Scruby, she was reassured that the Commission is required to canvass public opinion and can poll the electors. Protect Pittwater thanks Ms Scruby for facilitating the meeting with the Minister.

A financially sustainable Pittwater Council:

The Business Case sets out a pathway to a sustainable, independent Pittwater Council that is efficiently managed and better placed to direct services and investment where they are needed most. It demonstrates that Pittwater can stand alone without increasing the rates burden on residents.

The proposal is backed by detailed financial modelling prepared by experienced financial and local government professionals:

• Richard White FCPA, former CFO of subsidiaries of huge international corporations.
• Angus Gordon OAM, former General Manager of Pittwater Council.
• Frank Peylaire, project advisory and economics strategist for large corporations and Government bodies.

Protect Pittwater thanks the team for the enormous amount of work they have generously contributed to this milestone in the campaign to restore local democracy.

Mr White said the analysis challenges the assumption that restoring Pittwater Council would be prohibitively expensive.

"The cost of de-amalgamating and establishing the new Pittwater Council is far lower than many assume. The Business Case sets out these costs in detail, showing that restoring local government to Pittwater is both achievable and affordable. It concludes that a new Pittwater Council would provide a clear financial benefit to residents, with ratepayers' dollars going further and importantly, staying in Pittwater."

More frontline services, less bureaucracy:

A central feature of the Business Case is its proposed staffing structure. Protect Pittwater argues that Northern Beaches Council has developed a large, complex administration with multiple layers of management. A new Pittwater Council would have a leaner structure, with more of its workforce dedicated to frontline services.

The Business Case proposes a workforce of 301 employees, including 255 frontline workers. It projects staff costs at about 34% of the overall budget, compared with the 40% appearing in Northern Beaches Council’s Long Term Financial Plan. That would direct more  resources to services residents see and rely on every day, such as roads, pool maintenance and environmental management, while creating greater capacity to invest in major capital projects.

Local decisions for a local community:

Protect Pittwater argues that the strongest case for a new council is democratic as well as financial. Under the current structure, Pittwater is part of a much larger council spanning three former local government areas. Its 3 councillors can be outvoted by the other 12 and Pittwater's priorities are too often overlooked.

Under a Pittwater Council, 9 locally elected councillors would focus on the area's unique priorities, challenges and opportunities. Protect Pittwater believes this would deliver stronger local accountability and ensure decisions about Pittwater are made in Pittwater's interests, with Pittwater's rates spent in Pittwater.

About Protect Pittwater

Protect Pittwater was established in 2017 by Pittwater residents dedicated to reinstating the former Pittwater Council. In 2016, despite being deemed Fit for Future, the coalition state government forced Pittwater to amalgamate with Warringah and Manly Councils. Our core mission is to bring back Pittwater Council to ensure strong, independent representation for our community, achieve better fiscal results with less bureaucracy and foster the unique environmental and urban characteristics of Pittwater for residents and visitors alike. We are non-partisan.

Find out more, become a member, support the work, at: protectpittwater.org