Randwick Mayor Noel D’Souza today said the NSW Government’s announcement on Council mergers will provide certainty and clarity for the eastern beaches community.

“I welcome the NSW Government’s decision to end the ongoing speculation about council mergers. Today’s announcement confirms the NSW Government remains committed to council mergers in Sydney,” Mayor D’Souza said.

The announcement paves the way for a new eastern beaches council by merging Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra Councils. This is subject to High Court legal action brought by Woollahra Council.

“Randwick City Council’s position has consistently been that we are financially viable and strong enough to stand alone, but the Government has repeatedly said ‘no change is not an option’. From today’s announcement by the Premier, that position has not changed.

“We are in a good position to embrace change and our staff have been working hard over the past 12 months to ensure that should a merger of Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra Councils proceed, we can provide uninterrupted services for our residents.

“I’d particularly like to thank our staff for their commitment and positive attitude throughout this process as well as our friends at Waverley and Woollahra Councils for their continued cooperation and support in our joint planning,” Mayor D’Souza said.

Randwick Council analysis has found an eastern beaches council merger has the potential to deliver $235M in new services over 10 years.

“I remain committed to ensuring we protect our sense of community in the eastern beaches. We are getting on with the job of providing high quality services and facilities that our residents and ratepayers deserve,” said Mayor D’Souza.