S&GG says all may not be lost

Around 80 people attended the meeting in Guyra last week

27th Feb 2024

Save and Grow Guyra (S&GG) say they that positive comments and feedback from a meeting held last week has re-invigorated the committee.
Approximately 80 people “very strongly supported the long-term and current actions of the Guyra community under the Save and Grow Guyra movement in their desire to exercise their democratic right to re-instate a Guyra based Local Government area” according to group Chairman Rob Lenehan
“It was great to see a very attentive audience listen intently to our local speakers, all long-term members of S&GG and as Chairman I thank them immensely,” Mr Lenehan said.
“A significant number of relatively new residents in the town and surrounds were in attendance showing full support of either a de-merger or formation of a new council area, which was hugely encouraging.”
He said that the recent ‘butchering’ of the Local Government Act by Minister Hoenig was a deliberate attempt to shut down any actions of a de-merger of failed amalgamated councils across NSW.
“The amendments of Section 218cc of the Act has now created an ANTI-DE-MERGER Bill,” Mr Lenehan said.
“All may not be lost as our submission/proposal, which is currently in the hands of Minister Hoenig, was submitted under Section 215 of the Act which means our proposal is unaffected by Labor’s hatchet job on the Bill.”
A support letter from Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall arrived just in time for presentation at the meeting and Mr Lenehan said that is also encouraging.
“Adam, who was an official apology for the meeting, has recommended that the proposal be referred to the Boundaries Commission by the Minister for Local Government - the result of which is anyone’s guess,” he said.
“It was disappointing to see only three of 11 councillors who were invited to the meeting were in attendance. It really defends our case to return to our own representative rural council based in Guyra.
“On behalf of the S&GG executive we extend a huge thank you to the Guyra community and the three councillors, Margaret O’Connor, Paul Packham and Susan McMichael for your attendance.”
Mr Lenehan said that there were strong comments and suggestions from the crowd that S&GG formally represent the rate payers of the Guyra region. With that in mind S&GG will call for another meeting at the Guyra Bowling & Recreation Club on Wednesday March 6th to discuss the possibility of incorporating the rate payer into their association which is now incorporated.
The De-Merge NSW Association (DNA) of which Guyra is a member has been very active, closely studying the recent changes to the Local Government Act by Labor and have been extremely helpful in providing information directly from parliamentary sessions.
They have organised a public rally outside Parliament House in Macquarie Street, and would welcome and appreciate any regional representation.
Anyone interested in supporting or attending on Tuesday March 12th is asked to please call Gordon Youman on 0467 202 648 or Rob Lenehan on 0412 669 373.

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S&GG says all may not be lost

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