Public Report on the Merriwa De-Amalgamation Consultation

Published on 05 October 2023

Executive Summary

Upper Hunter Shire Council recently concluded a 33-day public consultation to gauge community sentiment on the potential de-amalgamation of the former Merriwa local government area. This report outlines the steps taken, the community's feedback, and subsequent Council deliberations.

Background

Merriwa community was part of its own Council until 2006, when it was amalgamated with Scone and Murrurundi Councils to form Upper Hunter Shire Council. In recent years, voices within the community have expressed discontent through social media channels. To accurately assess the breadth of this sentiment, Council initiated a formal consultation in July 2023.

Consultation Methodology

Channels: Consultation was promoted through radio, social media, and a direct mail campaign.

Reach: Approximately 1,600 flyers were distributed to property owners in the former Merriwa LGA, reaching an estimated population of 3,000.

Duration: Consultation was open for 33 days, concluding on 15 September 2023.

Key Findings

Response Rate: A total of 141 responses were received, representing a 5% response rate.

Community Sentiment: Of the responses, 92 indicated a preference for de-amalgamation.

Financial Considerations: Respondents were provided with high-level financial impacts of de-amalgamation and were invited to share their views on potential solutions for any financial shortfalls.

Council's Decision

Given the relatively low response rate, Council deliberated on the merits of forwarding the findings to the Minister for Local Government. The decision was made to proceed in the interest of full transparency.

Conclusion

This consultation has provided valuable insights into the community's views on the potential de-amalgamation of the former Merriwa area. While the response rate was low, Council believes in the importance of transparency and has thus shared these findings.

For more details, please refer to the full report submitted to Council on 25 September 2023.