Public Inquiry called by Minister for Local Government

The Minister for Local Government has appointed Commissioners to hold a Public Inquiry under section 438U of the Local Government Act 1993 into Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council.

The Terms of Reference of the Inquiry are:

To inquire and report to the Minister for Local Government with respect to the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (Council) proposed Implementation Plan (comprising a Detailed Transition Plan, Task Schedule and Financial Sustainability Plan) as lodged by Council as a formal proposal on 21 March 2024 to create two new Councils from the existing Council including advising whether:

  1. if the governing bodies of the new Councils were to implement the proposed Implementation Plan, would this create the potential for:

    • a sustainable financial path for the ongoing operation of the two councils

    • strong and effective leadership in a manner consistent with the guiding principles set out in sections 8A, 8B and 8C of the Act

    • effective management of responsibilities relating to long term financial planning, public land management and provision of services

  2. the area of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council should be dissolved pursuant to s212 of the Act to enable a proposal to create two new councils to be implemented

  3. any other matter that warrants mention, particularly those that may impact on the effective administration of the future Councils’ functions and responsibilities or the community’s confidence in the Council being able to do so.

 

Public Hearing

For the purpose of informing the inquiry about the implementation plan it is proposed to formally open the inquiry on 30 August 2024 to hear from the author of the implementation plan. To suit the convenience of the author that opening will occur in Sydney at Sydney Masonic Centre 66 Goulburn Street Sydney from 8:30am – 1:30pm. The proceedings will be available to watch via webcast.

After that the inquiry will adjourn to consider the author’s evidence with a view to holding further hearings in the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council LGA on dates to be set to which members of the public will be invited to attend.

Watch the 30 August 2024 Public Hearing here.

Further information about the conduct of the Public Hearings is available in the below Information Paper and Practice Direction.

 

Written Submissions

The Notice of Public Inquiry invites persons to make written submissions to be lodged with the Office of the Commissioner by 30 September 2024. Persons making a written submission should address the terms of reference and also indicate at the same time whether they wish to appear in person to make oral submissions, and the matters relating to the terms of reference that they would seek to address. It is noted that the Commission is not obliged to automatically give a right of appearance to all those wishing to appear before the Commissioners at the public hearing.

Written submissions should be forward by post to the Office of the Commissioner, Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council Public Inquiry, Locked Bag 3015, NOWRA NSW 2541. Alternatively, submissions may be emailed to cootamundra.gundagai@olg.nsw.gov.au by 30 September 2024.

Further information about making written submissions is available in the below Information Paper.