On 18 December last year, the State Government announced a Merger Proposal for the Eastern Suburbs. The Proposal mergers Waverley, Woollahra and Randwick City Councils.

The proposed merged area will be 58 km², with over 274,000 residents and will span from Watsons Bay in the north to La Perouse in the south. As outlined in the Proposal document the new Council will deliver $149 million total financial benefit over 20 years.

The Merger Proposal, including benefits of the merge, is available to view online at www.councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au, where you can make submissions to the Office of Local Government until 5pm Sunday 28 February.

The Office of Local Government has allocated a Delegate, Dr Robert Lang, to review and assess the Merger Proposal and to consult with the three councils, and the community. Dr Lang is coordinating two public inquiries (meetings), where members of the public are welcome to attend and speak. The date and time of the meetings are as follows:

Thursday 4 February, 1–5pm

Club Rose Bay, 1 Vickery Ave, Rose Bay NSW 2029

Thursday 4 February, 7–10pm

Club Rose Bay, 1 Vickery Ave, Rose Bay NSW 2029

Those wishing to attend are requested to register online at www.councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au or by contacting 1300 813 020. Members of the public wanting to speak at the meeting are asked to indicate they wish to do so when registering attendance. Registrations to speak close Midday on Friday 29 January. People are only able to speak once at the meeting, and the order of speaking will be decided by Dr Lang.

All are welcome and encouraged to attend these public meetings. If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to make your submission online to the Office of Local Government as outlined above.

Following the consultation period the Delegate, Dr Lang, will submit a report to the Minister for Local Government and the Boundaries Commission before a final decision is made by the State Government as to the future of the Eastern Suburbs local government areas.

For more information about Waverley Council’s previous consultation with the community in early 2015, visit www.waverley.nsw.gov.au.