Three councils to compact into one

A PROPOSAL for structural reform, to streamline Rous Water, Richmond River County Council and Far North Coast Weeds into a less top-heavy county council, was put forward to Lismore City Council's Tuesday night meeting by Cr Isaac Smith, and passed unanimously.

A report had been prepared on the issue for Council by the UTS Centre for Local Government, and this was formally received. It recommended a new county council be created, which incorporates all the existing functions of the current three county councils (Rous Water, FNCW and RRCC) with a new constitution that provides the flexibility to accommodate the management and delivery of regional initiatives

The report advised the governance structure would include representation from only four of the current six constituent councils (excluding Tweed and Kyogle shire councils).

Cr David Yarnall said the reform was necessary because money was being wasted in the governance of the two minor county councils (RRCC and FNCW).