STALLED discussions between Port Stephens Council and the Office of Local Government very nearly brought on legal action this week.
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Nearly three months had passed since Port Stephens presented the state government with its counter-proposal to a Newcastle merger, without reply.
Port Stephens Council was set to vote on a $50,000 lawsuit on Monday night but received correspondence from the state government late in the day.
The Office of Local Government advised that delegate Peter Peppin will chair public inquiries to review the proposal, though it did not outline a time frame.
“We wanted the government to announce someone to hold these inquiries and we’re happy with that,” the mayor of Port Stephens, Cr Bruce MacKenzie, said.
“We’re hopeful that we can work closely with the state government and convince them that Dungog would be the best outcome.
“We’re very happy with the outcome of our general manager’s negotiations on this.”
In February, Port Stephens Council asked the Minister for Local Government Paul Toole to refer its Dungog merger proposal to the Boundaries Commission for review. Mr Toole in turn referred it to the acting CEO for the Office of Local Government who was expected to investigate the proposal and make a report to the Boundaries Commission.
Despite several requests for an update, none was provided.
“Should the Minister recommend to the Governor, and the Governor then proclaims the amalgamation of Newcastle City Council and Port Stephens Council, there will be no opportunity to seek to have the Port Stephens proposal considered, as Port Stephens Council will have ceased to exist on the date of the proclamation,” Mr Wallis said.
“Despite council's written request to the Minister that he not make any of the above recommendations prior to the Port Stephens and Dungog Shire Councils merger proposal, the Minister has declined to provide any assurance,” Mr Wallis said.