ATTENTION TURNS TO NEXT STEPS IN DEMERGER PROCESS

The Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr, has congratulated the Snowy Valleys community for voting overwhelmingly to right a historic wrong and demerge their council. 

Dr McGirr, who championed the demerger process with the government and encouraged residents to vote ‘yes’, says the result shows the communities of the Snowy Valleys are committed to charting a new future with more localised council representation. 

“This is an enormously historic occasion as the first time a referendum to demerge a council has been held in NSW, and it was an amazing effort by the voters to turn out and seize the opportunity for change,” he said.  

“Since the referendum, I have spoken to Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig to discuss the next steps and to thank him for enabling this historic vote to proceed. 

“One of the biggest challenges will be funding the cost of the demerger, estimated at $4.8m, and I will continue to lobby the government to help meet the cost through grants and/or low-interest loans.” 

Once postal votes have been counted, the electoral commission will present the results to the minister to make a declaration of the poll. 

Dr McGirr said a lot of work would still be needed to progress the demerger but noted that the referendum had established a huge mandate for change.  

“Challenges certainly lie ahead but the referendum confirms that Snowy Valleys residents are determined to reverse the forced merger that caused so much concern for so long, and I look forward to helping to ensure the wishes of voters are acted upon,” Dr McGirr said. 

“The people have spoken, they have made history, and a new future now beckons. 

“Now, the attention turns to the mechanics of making the demerger a reality and I will work closely with the council and the government to make that happen. 

“I am proud to have helped to deliver the referendum, and I thank and acknowledge all those community leaders who never gave up hope of restoring their old councils and worked so hard to get us to this challenging but exciting point.”