Pittwater Residents Encouraged by Snowy Valleys Council being given support to hold referendum on de-amalgamation
We consider the only future for this area and for the preservation of those ideals and policies for which we stand is to become an independent Shire … the need for this electoral reform has been clearly and sufficiently demonstrated to enable the Government to come to a decision and no longer forestall the issue. Put simply we call upon the Government to put the matter now to the people of A Riding to determine. - Warringah Shire Councillors Robert Dunn and Eric Green, representing A Riding - 1990
Photo: 'Welcome to Pittwater signage at North Narrabeen, where the Pittwater Council LGA commences, in 2013
Residents in Snowy Valleys will have a say about the future of their local government area, with the Minister for Local Government giving his support for the Council to start preparing for a referendum to vote on a potential de-amalgamation on Thursday August 21.
The news is encouraging for residents of Pittwater, forcibly amalgamated with Warringah Council on May 12 2016 - the council Pittwater successfully freed itself of decades prior to that - who are still working to get Pittwater Council reinstated, with thousands having signed 3 petitions since 2017 calling for their council to be returned.
The announcement follows on from the July 2025 news that approval has been given for the Cootamundra and Gundagai Councils to de-amalgamate, and comes atop announcements that former Warringah and ex-Liberal Party councillors have approved dogs offleash on a popular children's beach at Mona Vale, where wildlife is known to live, the council deliberately killing a perfectly healthy tree in Ruskin Rowe, residents objections to the council installing plastic in the Pittwater environment without consultation or transparent notification, and finding the council has supported over the top developments that raze local community culture, excavate the hillsides and ignore the still in place Pittwater LEP and DCP solely to benefit developers while silencing any community opposition to the same.
And that's just the past few weeks of August 2025.
While some expected anger over the forced amalgamation would dissipate in the 9 years since, the different approach, the care of and for the environment, the treatment of residents and volunteers, the cost increases, the service delivery and performance, has only increased resentment.
In July 2025 Local Government Minister, the Hon. Ron Hoenig said:
Simon Dunn, President of Protect Pittwater, and son of former Pittwater Mayor Robert Dunn, said on Friday: ''That's is a very good news for Snowy Valleys and a further encouragement to the people of Pittwater.
It confirms Minister Ron Hoenig's position as expressed to us at our meeting in Parliament House in March that he wants to see the wrongs of the forced amalgamations set right.''
It follows the Minister's announcement in July that the Cootamundra-Gundagai de-merger will proceed and as such we are hoping that Pittwater's forced amalgamation with Warringah will be the third wrong to be righted by this same Minister.
Noting that Snowy Valleys Regional Council with a population under 15,000 and Cootamundra-Gundagai Council with a population under 12,000 before demerging have prepared detailed plans showing how their proposed re-instated Councils with populations between 6,000 and 8,000 could be viable as stand alone councils, it is not hard to see how Pittwater with 64,000 residents could easily stand alone as a more than viable local democracy and a protector of our unique natural environment.
We are very much looking forward to Protect Pittwater's s215 Proposal being placed on public exhibition by Minister Hoenig as the next step toward reinstating Pittwater Council.'' Mr. Dunn said
On Tuesday 19 August the Hon. Ron Hoenig, received a report from the NSW Local Government Boundaries Commission which examined the Council’s de-amalgamation proposal, including the Council’s implementation plan and financial sustainability plan.
The Boundaries Commission has recommended the Council’s proposal be supported. The Minister has accepted this recommendation and will now consult with the NSW Electoral Commissioner to allow Council to hold a constitutional referendum and let residents vote on whether they want to demerge.
The Minister met with Snowy Valleys Council Mayor Cr Julia Ham, the Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr MP and the Member for Albury Justin Clancy MP, to release the report and discuss the next step in the demerger process.
Snowy Valleys Council has been following the demerger pathway made possible by legislation introduced and passed by the Minns Labor Government last year.
The Council was required to develop a business case for de-amalgamation which was referred to the Boundaries Commission.
The Commission asked Council for more detail on the implementation of the proposal to outline financial impacts (including increases to rates), long term strategic plans, and the capacity of the new councils to deliver services.
Council’s implementation plan was presented to the Commission, which also held public hearings before finalising its recommendations in a report to the Minister.
With the green light to proceed to the next step in the process, Snowy Valleys Council can now go ahead and commence planning for a referendum. This includes public exhibition of the business case and implementation plan.
The Minister made it clear during the meeting today with the Council that as part of this referendum residents must be made aware they will be facing rate increases and other costs to support the demerged councils, so they can make an informed decision.
The Boundaries Commission report details rates in a restored Tumut Shire would increase by almost 15% over seven years and between 45-65% in Tumbarumba over the same period. In addition, there would be a range of increases to various fees and charges including water and sewer, leases and licenses, commercial fees and drainage.
The majority of the whole council area must support this vote for the demerger to proceed.
Under the Local Government Act 1993 the Boundaries Commission report was required to be released publicly within 48 hours of the Minister receiving it.
Minister for Local Government The Hon. Ron Hoenig said:
“The communities of Snowy Valleys weren’t given a choice when the Liberal-National Government forced the amalgamation of Tumut and Tumbarumba councils.
“It has proven to be another local government disaster inflicted upon regional NSW communities.
“The impact the amalgamation continues to have on the Council, councillors and staff was made clear by the Boundaries Commission.
“Prior to coming to government, Labor made a commitment to the people of Snowy Valleys that we would support the Council in holding a referendum to vote on a possible demerger.
“I know it’s been a long road to get here, but the work the Council has done putting together a business case has been necessary to ensure demerging would be a viable option.
“If there is majority support in the referendum and residents are prepared to accept the financial costs, then the Council can progress with the transition work required to demerge.
“If the referendum is rejected, the community and the Council must respect that outcome and get on with it.
“The important thing is the communities of Snowy Valleys are given the choice to make this decision for themselves – not have it made for them by the state government which has no mandate to interfere with local democracy.”
The Boundaries Commission report is available on the Office of Local Government website