New Sydney Metro Mayors Group

A new grouping of councils has recently formed.  Calling themselves the Sydney Metropolitan Mayor Group, they were pulled together by Canterbury Mayor Brian Robson. Currently  representing 22 Councils across Sydney they include some northern Sydney councils - Pittwater, Manly, Mosman, Hunters Hill and Ryde. Notably absent is Warringah, North Sydney, Willougby, Kuring-gai, and Hornsby.

In amongst the Save Pittwater protest
at Warringah ILGRP consultation

"We brought together a group of Mayors representing 22 Councils from across Sydney and have now formalised these passionate, community focused individuals into an incorporated association.  I look forward to working together with all my Mayoral colleagues to promote Local Government and to ensure our residents continue to have access to their own democratically elected councils," Robson said.

While the Mayor Robson's anouncement does not mention amalgamations they appear to be a grouping of vehemently anti amalgamation councils.
(media release  http://www.canterbury.nsw.gov.au/www/html/16-news.asp?n=2280)

Robson is quoted at keepitlocal.net.au “It’s no secret that I’ve been unhappy with our representation through Local Government NSW.” “This is not a bureaucratic organisation, it’s basically to provide a voice which we feel has been lacking,”

Meanwhile, Local Government NSW, the organisation representing all councils has commented on the ILGRP report.

"After consulting with Mayors, councillors and General Managers at a Forum on 28 June, Local Government NSW (LGNSW) has now submitted its response to the Future Directions paper, strongly opposing its proposals on mass council amalgamations and its County Council model." 

“While LGNSW supports voluntary council amalgamations, it does not believe there is anything in the Future Directions paper that would entice the vast majority of councils and their communities to merge with their neighbours,” said Cr Donald.' 

(media release http://www.lgnsw.org.au/)

No surprise that LGNSW supported the revenue raising reform proposals on rate pegging, cheaper finance and removing rate exemptions for schools and government businesses.

So it will be interesting to see what carrots and sticks the Government will find to "entice" councils and their communities to merge with their neighbours.