Commission Green Lights Inquiry Into Gawler Boundary Change Proposal
The South Australian Local Government Boundaries Commission has given the green light for an inquiry to commence into Town of Gawler’s proposal to change its boundaries.
In a letter to Gawler Mayor Karen Redman last Wednesday (10 November), Commission Chair Bruce Green stated Council’s Stage 2 Boundary Change General Proposal “meets the requirements of Guideline 3 and generally aligns with Section 26 principles” of the Local Government Act 1999.
“The Commission therefore determined that an inquiry into the Proposal may proceed in accordance with Section 31 of the Act and Guideline 4 – Investigations of General Proposals Initiated by Councils,” he wrote.
“The Commission acknowledges the significant work that your Council has undertaken to develop this Proposal in order to address the requirements of Guideline 3 and the Section 26 principles.
“I must emphasise that the Commission’s determination to inquire into the Proposal does not mean that the proposal has been recommended to proceed.
“A recommendation to the Minister regarding this Proposal can only be made once the Commission has conducted and considered the findings of an inquiry.”
PHOTO: Town of Gawler CEO Henry Inat (left) and Gawler Mayor Karen Redman with a draft map depicting what changes to council’s boundaries may look like
The Commission will now commence the formal process of obtaining a cost estimate for the inquiry, which it will provide to Council for its consideration in an anticipated 6-8 week timeframe.
A report for decision will then be presented to elected members at the earliest opportunity once Council receives the cost estimate from the Commission.
“Town of Gawler has consistently maintained that our desire to review – and if appropriate, realign – our boundaries is to ensure Gawler remains a unified, connected community as we grow into the future,” Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said.
“The recent decision from the Commission to approve an inquiry into Town of Gawler’s Proposal is validation that Council’s submission meets the legislative requirements warranting further investigation into how a reconfiguration of our boundaries may benefit the community.
“Council looks forward to receiving cost estimates from the Commission over the coming months, before determining our next step in this process.”
Full details about Town of Gawler’s Stage 2 Boundary Change General Proposal are on our website here.