Randwick City Council has today released seven options for its future in response to the NSW Government's Fit for the Future program which asks many Sydney councils to consider a merger. 

The seven options consider the potential benefits and costs of Randwick City Council amalgamating in different models with its neighbouring councils (City of Sydney, Waverley, Woollahra and Botany Bay) and will be sent to every resident and ratepayer as the first stage of an extensive community consultation program.

Randwick Mayor, Ted Seng said the NSW Government has made is clear that doing nothing is not an option.

"Randwick City Council already has a balanced budget and remains debt-free. Council is operating well and providing high quality services and facilities for our community," he said.

"Unfortunately, despite Council's excellent financial and asset management position, the NSW Government wants us to respond to the Independent Local Government Review Panel's recommendations for 'scale and capacity'.

"The Independent Review Panel's final report released in October 2013 recommends an amalgamation with City of Sydney, Woollahra, Waverley and Botany councils – building a 'global city' with more than 500,000 residents.

"We don't support the creation of a global city as we value our Randwick identity, local representation and existing quality services," he said.

"Over the past several years, the Council has been strenuous in its due diligence around Local Government reform and we've used that information to develop these seven options for our community to consider.

"We are opposed to the amalgamation of Randwick City Council in any form, however we are required to address the NSW Government's Fit for the Future criteria by 30 June 2015.

"Randwick City residents and ratepayers will shortly receive an information pack outlining all the options to consider, and in February 2015 we will commence a series of community consultation activities so everyone gets the chance to have a say," Mayor Seng said.

Randwick Council has also released a website for residents to access all the information about the Fit for the Future program.

For more information visit www.yoursay.randwick.nsw.gov.au/future