Shadow Minister for Local Government, Chris Hartcher has today called on the Government to reassess the cost shifting of this weeks Local Government elections after Council figures reveal costs have increased by more than 500%.

“These increases simply cannot be justified. Last week marked the 28^th month since the Allan Report into Council Sustainability was presented to the State Labor Government and no reply has been forthcoming yet the Government continues to pass on additional responsibilities and costs onto Councils,” Mr Hartcher said.

“What does the Government plan to do to save NSW Councils before they go broke? Where is the Government response to the Allan Report?

“Cost-shifting by the State Labor Government onto NSW Councils for the elections on 13 September is not responsible management. Councils are already paying for State services passed onto them like waste, energy, water, roads and infrastructure.

“The 2008 Local Government elections will cripple some NSW Councils with the cost of the elections increasing by as much as 286% on individual councils and 500% overall.

“Auburn Council has had its election costs increase from $66,000 in 2004 to $255,000 in 2008, an increase of 286%. Lake Macquarie has increased from $443,000 in 2004 to $905,000 in 2008. Gosford has increased from $377,000 to $729,000, Fairfield from $350,000 to $850,000 and Sutherland from $409,000 to $937,000.[1]

“In 2004 the Electoral Commission billed NSW Councils for $4.1 million. This year the Electoral Commission has invoiced Councils for $21 million, an increase of $17 million over four years.

“The NSW Electoral Commission and the NSW Labor Government say they are not profiteering from the Council Elections, if so, then how can they justify such an increase?

“Of the 152 Councils in NSW, 35 are already considered financially unsustainable with a further 19 Councils financially on the brink of collapse and the NSW Labor Government’s only solution to the Council Elections is to pass on further costs which ultimately will be passed onto ratepayers.

“NSW Councils are the responsibility of the State Government - created by State Legislation and under the control of the Minister for Local Government.

“It’s time the Minister and the Labor Government step up and take responsibility for the desperate financial position NSW Councils are in,” Mr Hartcher said.

[1] Source: Local Government and Shires Association