Bombala appears to be putting all its eggs in the Bega Valley basket as councils line up to meet the Fit for the Future requirements.
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Bombala Shire mayor, Bob Stewart, has been open about his preference to merge with Bega Valley Shire rather than his High Country neighbours, Snowy River and Cooma-Monaro.
However, there are concerns a proposed merger between Bega Valley and Bombala Shires may adversely affect Bega Valley ratepayers.
Councillor Tony Allen said he wants to see a thorough audit of Bombala’s financial position and its infrastructure backlog before any commitment is made on a merger.
Merger pressure is being applied by the state government even to those councils, such as Bega Valley, which have been classed as “fit”.
“We’ve had eight special rate variations over the past years to put us in a sustainable position,” Cr Allen said.
“Our ratepayers have dug deep, but if other councils haven’t done that, our ratepayers shouldn’t have to pay.”
He said he had seen some of the figures and they were “frightening”.
“It’s a situation not dissimilar to Bega Valley early on,” Cr Allen said in a reference to the infrastructure backlog that plagued Bega Valley Shire in past years and which is now being addressed.
“There’s a price to pay for being strong and our ratepayers have already paid that price,” Cr Allen said.
Cr Stewart has admitted there are infrastructure issues that need to be addressed, in particular a sewerage upgrade at Bombala and the supply of potable water at Delegate.
He said these would cost in the region of $10 million.
“Bega won’t want to meet these costs and wants the infrastructure costs to be met by the state government and I think from our meeting on Wednesday, November 10, the government will come to the party,” Cr Stewart said.
Bega Valley is also seeking money for a upgrade to Mount Darragh Rd at Six Mile Bridge.
The mayors and general managers of Bombala and Bega Valley Shires met with Member for Bega Andrew Constance, Member for Monaro John Barilaro and Local Government Minister Paul Toole.
An extraordinary meeting of Bega Valley Shire Council will be held on Monday, November 16 to discuss the merger.
Councils are being asked to come back to the state government by November 18 with their proposals.