According to Mayor Harold Johnston, the merger considerations “cost us millions of dollars”. (Fairfax Media 7 March 2017). 

The Berejiklian led government now promises no forced mergers. This is good news for Dungog Shire. 

The Nationals have correctly supported rural communities and used their power to advance our cause. And now is the time for the State Government to make sure small rural councils are fully resourced into the future.

So how about it, Michael Johnsen? You could back up your Nationals colleagues and help secure the future of this rural community. You could make sure that, with your government’s assistance, our local council is resourced properly. 

Make sure Dungog Council is reimbursed of all funds lost as a result of the merger process and use the money to help set up a sustainable future for Dungog Shire and make sure we can fix those roads and bridges.

With reference to your article, “Dungog Mayor Harold Johnston can do without Port Stephens’ ‘merge or you’ll wither and die’ talk”, we would like to clarify a number of things in relation to the  Port Stephens merger offer.

It was the resident group of Dungog, with huge community support, that originally approached Port Stephens Council to consider a merger. Not the other way around.

This was after we believed our council refused to consider any other option for Dungog other than stand alone, despite every report showing it was unsustainable.

It was also after our council spent many thousands of dollars on consultant reports advising strongly against a merger with Maitland.

At that point, the only remaining option was a merger with Port Stephens Council.

They responded with bells on. True, they wished to avoid a merger with Newcastle, but, let’s get real. There needs to be something in it for both parties.

In restating the merger offer, Port Stephens Council sees the benefit to it, that it would be spared inappropriate future mergers such as the aborted Newcastle proposal.

A merger would make it a good-sized council by combining two like-minded neighbours.

But, there is no doubt that Dungog would be getting the better part of that deal. It will be hard work to overcome years of neglect and bring Dungog up to par with the existing Port Stephens Council.

We believe our Council has refused to properly acknowledge or consider the proposed Port Stephens merger, even though the Port Stephens mayor and councillors have visited Dungog on several occasions and come to Dungog Council meetings.

We also believe our Council has refused to inform the community of the proposal, or discuss it with them.

It has, in our opinion, just ignored it completely.

The Dungog Shire Community Group met with the Premier’s Department, the Deputy Premier Mr Barilaro, the new Local Government Minister, Gabrielle Upton, and the Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Catherine Cusack.

We were told that Dungog Shire is unsustainable, that no money or other assistance will be given as what is required is a merger.

We were told to put more effort into persuading our Council to merge.

The process, flawed as it has been, was developed to find a solution for unsustainable councils, such as Dungog.

Our Councillors may have refused to acknowledge reality with a dogged determination to stand alone at all costs, but a majority of the community has embraced the solution and wishes to move forward.