The community will benefit from less pressure on water and sewer prices if the proposal to merge water and sewerage services delivered by MidCoast Water into MidCoast Council proceeds.
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The resolution, which was made at both the MidCoast Water and MidCoast Council’s meetings held today (December 21), seeks to commence the process to dissolve MidCoast County Council and merge the functions into MidCoast Council.
Administrator of both MidCoast Water and MidCoast Council, John Turner, indicated the decision was made after careful consideration of options for the future delivery of water and sewer services to the community.
“The future structure of MidCoast Water has been the subject of discussions with the State Government since the announcement of the merger forming MidCoast Council,” Mr Turner explained.
“Those discussions narrowed down the options for the future structure to two: either the establishment of MidCoast Water as a separate local government owned corporation or the merging of MidCoast Water into MidCoast Council as a separate business unit.”
The second option was endorsed at the meetings today.
“This decision has been primarily informed by the potential to avoid the costs inherent in running two separate entities. Cost savings will be achieved by integrating into one organisation and management structure with consolidated corporate functions and systems.”
Mr Turner explained the next step is to request the State Government to start a consultation period to enable submissions from the public and interested stakeholders. It is anticipated this will occur at some point starting mid-January and be open for a minimum of 28 days.
Representations made during this time will then be considered by the State Government and a recommendation made to the Governor.
“The general managers of MidCoast Water and MidCoast Council will work together to establish a transition plan early in the new year,” Mr Turner said.
Employees at both councils were informed of the decision by their respective general managers, and will be provided with updates as more information becomes available.
Should the proposal proceed MidCoast Water staff will be provided with the same three year employment protection that already applies to employees of MidCoast Council.
For more information, please visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/mcwprop
More to come.
