This $64 question is one that many NAC residents have pondered, especially since the boundary between MidCoast and Port Stephens Council is the edge of the NAC waterway, the service and support we get from MidCoast Council leaves a lot to be desired, and Taree is a long long way from NAC.
Well, it has popped up again, this time by MidCoast Councillor Kathryn Bell, who notes our area is more geographically connected to Port Stephens Council and is wondering whether there should be a boundary adjustment between MidCoast and Port Stephens Councils.
To find our the views of local area residents, Councillor Bell has asked Council to move a motion at next Wednesday's Council meeting for a consultation strategy to be prepared to find out to what degree the residents of Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens, North Arm Cove and the MidCoast part of Karuah prefer shopping, health and other service interactions with Raymond Terrace or other centres outside of the MidCoast local government area.
In other words, would we prefer to be part of Port Stephens Council or MidCoast Council?
The wording of Councillor Bell's motion is:
That:
1. Council notes the Local Government Act 1993 provides for boundary alterations and provides that council has standing to propose them (refer to sections 218B, 218D and 218E).
2. Council notes the MidCoast Local Government Area has several population centres that are geographically more connected to another government area as is the case for Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest and surrounds to which the nearest regional centre is Raymond Terrace where Port Stephens Council sits.
3. Council requests the General Manager prepares a consultation strategy with the residents of Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens, North Arm Cove and the MidCoast local portion of Karuah with a view to ascertain to what degree the residents of the district prefer shopping, health and other service interactions with Raymond Terrace or other centres outside the MCC LGA.
4. The consultation proposal be referred by report, for consideration of the Council at its next ordinary meeting.
From my perspective this is a question that need considering. It is not an easy question to answer, and there are pros and cons for us moving from MidCoast to Port Stephens, or staying as part of MidCoast Council.
In other words, would we prefer to be part of Port Stephens Council or MidCoast Council?
So post a comment on this article and tell us what you think - should we stay in MidCoast Council, or should we move to Port Stephens Council, and what do you think are the pros and cons of changing?
I have heard this issue…
I have heard this issue raised several times in the past. The reactions back then were mixed. It is good to revisit the issue now although, without undertaking due diligence, we might risk jumping from pan to fire. We need to know, for example:
It is true that most of my focus is certainly southwards. I don’t think I’ve been to either Taree or Forster in the last six years but there have been many visits to Raymond Terrace and to Karuah at least once a week.
Port Stephens Council currently elects councillors to East, West and South wards. If they introduced a North ward, then we would be more likely to end up with a “local” representive. Their ratepayers also get a direct say in choosing the mayor. Only elected councillors get to choose the mayor of MidCoast and, for the last four years, no councillors have come from the southern end of the MidCoast Council area.
Port Stephens Council may well have greater interest in providing North Arm Cove with better water access, an issue on which MidCoast’s efforts have been beyond disappointing. But then I wonder whether Port Stephens Council would be all that eager to take on the black hole that is Winda Woppa.