LeeR 7/12 LocGovt

[Stafford Sanders]

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The following release sent to local and selected media.

LEE RHIANNON, Greens MLC (NSW)  media release 7/12/00

Greens Councillors Step Up Campaign 
Against Forced Amalgamations


The Greens have called on the Carr Government to guarantee that any local council amalgamations or boundary changes in inner Sydney will be subject to resident referenda.
Buoyed by a strong result in the amalgamated Canada Bay Council elections, Greens councillors across inner Sydney are stepping up their campaign to stop forced local government mergers.
"The Greens' position is that there should be no forced amalgamations or boundary changes without referenda," says The Greens' Leichhardt Deputy Mayor Jamie Parker.
The Greens are urging a last-minute flood of submissions to the Carr Government's inquiry into the structure and boundaries of the eight inner city councils: Botany Bay, Leichhardt, Marrickville, Randwick, South Sydney, Sydney City, Waverley and Woollahra.
"We're hoping for a healthy batch of submissions to reach the inquiry by its deadline of December 18," says Cr Parker.
"We strongly suspect that behind this inquiry is an ALP push to squeeze out small-party and independent representation on these councils. If they can't do it through the ballot box, they'll try to merge the councils in the name of 'efficiency' - for which, read 'ALP domination.'"
The Greens have been encouraged by the strong anti-amalgamation showing in the recent Canada Bay elections - including the election of The Greens' Pauline Tyrrell. 
Says Cr Parker: "This is evidence the government will have a rough ride in trying to force further amalgamations against the will of residents.
"We also believe genuine community democracy would be best served by proportional representation, and by ending the undemocratic 'two-councillor wards' which allow major parties to disproportionately dominate some councils.
"The only way for citizens to defend their rights in local government is to communicate loudly and clearly with the government through this inquiry."
Last-minute submissions to the inquiry should be sent by December 18 to:
	Executive Officer, Local Government Public Inquiry
	Locked Bag 1, Westmead NSW 2145
	email:  lginquiry at cadre.com.au

Media inquiries:	Stafford Sanders	ph. 9230 3549  or  0409 787 911
More information: 	Jamie Parker		ph. 0407 869 249 
(contact details & some photos of relevant Greens councillors available on request)



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