NSW: Council begins court proceedings against minister

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2001
NSW: Council begins court proceedings against minister

SYDNEY, Dec 5 AAP - Two Sydney councils will launch legal action today to prevent the
NSW government transferring several of their suburbs.

Under the contentious changes, the City of Sydney will gain a number of salubrious
suburbs from Leichhardt and South Sydney councils.

The City of Sydney said a survey of residents living in the area showed the majority
supported the move.

But South Sydney and Leichhardt councils will launch separate actions in the Land and
Environment Court to stop Local Government Minister Harry Woods and the NSW Local Government
Boundaries Commission from going ahead with the proposal to enlarge the City of Sydney.

The proposal would see the South Sydney areas of Woolloomooloo, Potts Point, Elizabeth
Bay, Rushcutters Bay, Kings Cross, East Sydney, Darlinghurst, Chippendale and Camperdown
transferred to the City of Sydney.

Leichhardt Council would hand over Glebe and Forest Lodge.

A writ for the South Sydney action has been listed in the Land and Environment Court
for hearing this morning.

The proceedings will seek an injunction restraining the boundaries commission from
presenting any report to the minister on the boundary changes proposal.

South Sydney Mayor John Fowler said the move to enlarge City of Sydney was a denial
of due process.

"Council is seeking redress from the court charged with oversight of local government
legislation," he said in a statement.

A telephone survey of more than 600 residents from the affected suburbs revealed 48
per cent supported the government's specific boundary changes compared to 39 per cent
against it, according to the City of Sydney.

Sydney Lord Mayor Frank Sartor said the results showed there was clear support for the decision.

"This is the voice of the people who will be affected by the boundary changes, not
the mayors and councillors fighting to preserve their turf, and the majority of the inner-city
residents recognise the benefits of joining the city," he said in a statement.

"The state government has made decision, there is clear support for it, and we should
now just get on with it."

AAP kp/jjs/las

KEYWORD: COUNCIL

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