In January this year, the Independent Local Government Review Panel released its final report – Revitalising Local Government for community comment. The report outlined 65 recommendations, including that Lake Macquarie City Council and Newcastle City Council should amalgamate and that the southern area of Lake Macquarie around Morisset – Wyee be added to Wyong Shire or a new Central Coast council.

My Council – Lake Macquarie City Council strongly rejects these recommendations.

Council is performing strongly and is well placed to provide good quality daily services that I, as a Lake Macquarie resident, expect and rely on.

For several years, Lake Macquarie has been improving its efficiency and working towards financial sustainability, and our efforts and achievements have been recognised by IPART and NSW Treasury Corporation.

The proposed amalgamation of Lake Macquarie City Council and Newcastle City Council and boundary changes in the Morisset – Wyee area is not feasible, not necessary, and would be detrimental to the community.