Even though Penrith, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury councils have not been recommended for amalgamation as part of the State Government review of local government, the mayors are taking no chances.
The three amigos of Kim Ford from Hawkesbury, Mark Greenhill from Blue Mountains and Penrith’s Ross Fowler have formalised their already-amicable working relationship into a Regional Strategic Alliance.
The alliance agreement will look at ways to strengthen the long term future of each city.
As a first step, all three councils have written to the relevant local Members of Parliament to inform them of the new governance arrangement and to seek their support in the endeavours of regional cooperation.
“In forming a Regional Strategic Alliance, we are taking a leadership role in planning and governing the western metropolitan region,” Clr Kim Ford said.
“One of our aims is to be a united voice for the region, advocating for the benefit of all three local government areas.”
All three mayors have called the Regional Strategic Alliance “a new, bold and leading edge approach to the governance of the region”.
Clr Mark Greenhill said the regional alliance could offer significant opportunities and innovative approaches to take on some of the bigger challenges facing local councils.
“To be successful, this arrangement needs more than good will. By entering into a formal Agreement, the three councils have made a commitment to investigate ways of strengthening the long term future of each city,” he said.
Clr Ross Fowler said the alliance enhances the three councils’ ability to work collaboratively to deliver more for their respective communities.
“We have a greater and more cohesive voice to address our common regional challenges. It allows us to work better with the State Government to deliver the things that matter most to our residents,” he said.
The Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith City Councils collectively represent a growing region of 334,767 people, and a geographic area of 4,612 sq. km.
Local Government Minister Paul Toole has responded positively, who has sent a senior office from his office to take part in the councils’ working group.
