Hilltops Councillors received and noted a report on a demerger poll, referendum process and estimated costs at its most recent Council meeting last week.
The report provided Councillors with the details of the processes needed to be undertaken to proceed with a demerger poll along with the estimated costs associated with the process.
According to the report the Office of Local Government produced a flow chart outlining the complete process needed to de-amalgamate which included a step for a constitutional referendum, however, it was noted that although the Local Government Amendement (De-amalgamations) Bill 2024 was passed by both houses of parliament, the NSW Governor has not at this time proclaimed the Bill and that there is no indication from the OLG on when the proclamation will take place.
"The process to hold a referendum begins with Council consulting with the community on the business case for de-amalgamation and resolving to support a de-amalgamation proposal," the report read.
"Preparation of the business case by an independent consultant to inform the community so that they can make an informed decision is estimated at $70,000 to
Latest Stories
$100,000 (excluding GST).
"This cost does not include council staff time in assisting the consultant with preparation of their report nor time for community consultation sessions."
In the report there are a further nine steps that Council would need to undertake including submitting a business case, a referral from the Minister for the business case to be examined to the Boundaries Commission with a report to go back to the Minister, approval from the Minister and a constitutional referendum held by Council.
"The total estimated cost of the poll (referendum) process is estimated at between $600,000 and $750,000 being: $100,000 for the preliminary work required for the business case for demerger, $250,000 to $400,000 to develop the full Business Case (which includes a Demerger Implementation Plan) required for lodgement to the Boundaries Commission, and $250,000 to hold the constitutional referendum (as estimated by the NSW Electoral Office)," the report read.
"The actual cost of implementing the demerger is not included in the preceding estimates and would only be reasonably estimated once the processes and documents as described had been finalised.
"All above estimates do not include staff time to manage the processes."
At the April Ordinary Meeting Council resolved to receive and note the report with Cr Blackwell, Cr Dodd, Cr David, Cr Douglas, Cr Flanery, Cr Foreman, Cr Gallo, Cr Ingram and Cr Langford all voting for and Cr Mackay and Cr Stadtmiller voting against.
