Rhonda Hoban said she was grateful for the meeting, which was arranged by Bellingen Council, and the chance to discuss the reality of the financial scenario, which sees councils on the one hand forced to prove their financial sustainability to the State Government, yet at the same time handed the maintenance and replacement responsibility for over $254 million worth of assets (in the case of Nambucca Shire).

“As a low socio-economic community, it would certainly be a burden in perpetuity to ratepayers,” Cr Hoban said.

“I left the meeting assured the RMS is committed to considering possible solutions we proposed and look forward to future discussions.”

Mrs Jeremy said the discussions had given both councils an opportunity to explain their concerns regarding the handover of these assets and the RMS an insight into the financial implications that came with it.

“Agreement was reached to explore intergovernmental policy positions and the need to further investigate the full cost of the asset transfers over the long term, especially for the bridges,” Mrs Jeremy said.

She said her council appreciated the meeting and the commitment given to both the discussions and future processes leading to outcomes as yet unformulated nor discussed in detail.

For their part RMS said it was committed to working closely with Bellingen and Nambucca Shire Councils “to find an agreeable solution during the coming months”.

The depreciation of bridges/road pavement/culverts to be handed to the Nambucca Shire Council has been estimated at $1.07 million (the equivalent of a 10 per cent rate increase – every year).

The 37 kilometres of highway includes 14 major concrete structures.