Last week marked the 29^th month since the Local Government and Shires Associations of NSW commissioned a report into the effects of cost shifting onto Councils by the NSW Government called ‘Are Councils Sustainable’ by Percy Allan AM. The report was given to the Minister for Local Government on the 3^rd May 2006.

“It is now well over two years since the report was handed to the Government. We now have a third Minister for Local Government and still no reply or commitment by the Government or the Minister as to how they will assist Councils in dealing with cost shifting”, said Chris Hartcher, Shadow Minister for Local Government.

This month the NSW Parliament will begin Budget Estimates for 2008-09. Last year the Minister for Local Government, Paul Lynch, in reply to a question about the Government response to the Allan Report said that it would be presented ‘soon’.

“Barbara Perry is now the Minister for Local Government and must follow up on this report and deliver it to Parliament as soon as possible”, said Mr Hartcher.

“NSW Councils cannot wait another 12 months for a reply. The Government has had 29 months to consider the report and provide adequate solutions. This Government would sack Councils for less incompetence.

“This year we have seen financial reports into NSW Councils showing that 35 Councils are financially unsustainable with 19 others on the brink”, Chris Hartcher said.

“The cost shifting by the NSW Government has included Private Certification Provisions, Environmental Protection, Public Health, Food, Brothels, Companion Animals, occupational Health and Safety, Abandoned Vehicles, Contaminated Lands, Heritage, Waste, Energy, Water, Resources for the NSW and Rural Fire Services, Pensioner Rates Rebates, Educational Services and Roads Infrastructure - to name a few.

“Councils have been forced to go a long way from Roads, Rates and Rubbish. The cost shifting by the NSW Government is out of control.

“One of the reasons the Government won’t respond to the Allan Report is that they have no answer to it. The Labor Government is flat broke, out of ideas, out of touch and the people and local councils of NSW are paying for it”, said Chris Hartcher.

“Ms Perry, the clock is ticking. Deliver the response promised a year ago. Fix the cost shifting before it costs us all”, said Mr Hartcher.