This was the clear message from hundreds of ratepayers and business owners, including a Councillor from Mosman Council, who packed the Holroyd Centre on March 19 for the second Hands off Holroyd Public Meeting.
Mayor Greg Cummings said the Premier currently has no mandate to force Holroyd City Council to merge with Parramatta, Auburn and parts of Ryde and The Hills Councils.
"With only days remaining to the State Election, our community is insisting that Mr Baird comes clean on his Government’s true plans on forcing Holroyd to be merged," Mayor Cummings said.
"People have good reason to be sceptical and suspicious of Mr Baird’s intentions, given that Tony Issa and Geoff Lee, the two local Liberal MPs who attended our public meeting, would not guarantee there won’t be forced council mergers beyond March 28, if the Government is re-elected.
"That’s why Mr Baird must now listen to the concerns of our community and tell us if he will force Holroyd to merge - it’s only right that he does this before people cast their vote."
The meeting heard that economic analysis showing the Government’s ongoing claim that councils are losing a million dollars a day was a 'furphy' and that there was still no empirical evidence to justify if council mergers will deliver economic or social benefits to the community.
United Services Union General Secretary Graham Kelly also warned of 'massive job losses' if Holroyd was forced to merge.
"Mergers have failed in places like Queensland, Western Australia and Auckland," Mayor Cummings added.
"Holroyd has proven we are financially viable now and into the future; we continue to achieve State Government benchmarks such as new housing approvals; and an overwhelming 92 per cent of our ratepayers are satisfied with the services we provide to the community.
"So why then is Mr Baird proposing to merge Holroyd – that’s the question local voters want the Premier to answer before March 28."
To speak up and sign the petition against merging Holroyd Council, go to the campaign website at www.handsoffholroyd.com.au and say NO.
For more information about Holroyd's Anti-Amalgamation Campaign, please contact Public Relations via 9840 9840.
