IN THE LATEST discussions about boundaries for the proposed Joint Organisation of which Nambucca Shire would be a member, councillors were asked to vote on a motion that rated the options in order of preference – from ‘most’ to ‘least’ preferred.
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Their ‘most’ preferred option for the so-called North Coast Joint Organisation was listed as the original proposal that would see Nambucca grouped with Bellingen, Coffs Harbour and Clarence councils.
The ‘less’ preferred option would see Port-Macquarie-Hastings and Kempsey added into the mix with the ‘least’ preferred option an amalgamation of the Northern Rivers and North Coast JOs into one single organisation.
Cr Anne Smyth said she did not support the use of the word ‘least preferred’.
“I do not support this at all and I think we need to make a stand,” Cr Smyth said.
Her colleagues supported her with option ‘c’ being amended to read the council did not support the concept of a Joint Organisation extending from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads.
The options are part of an Office of Local Government consultation paper about suggested boundaries, which says proposals are, “designed to be a basis for further discussion and consultation”.
In his summary, General Manager Michael Coulter said there was nothing in the consultation paper which affected the council’s June 30 resolution that membership be based on a North Coast Joint Organisation “whose boundaries represent a distinct community of interest around Coffs Harbour as a strong regional centre”.
He said the only additional consideration that arose was the possible pressure to form a single North Coast Joint Organisation comprised of the proposed North Coast and Northern Rivers Joint Organisations.
