Northern Beaches Council has already saved a massive $3 million in annual savings made in the first two months since the former councils were merged. These are the initial reported savings from the merger and further are expected over the next year.
‘This is a huge win for the Northern Beaches community and demonstrates the benefit of merging Council’s resources’, said Dick Persson AM, Administrator of the Northern Beaches Council.
The early savings have come from the reduction of workers compensation insurance costs, savings in general insurances and reductions in senior management positions not to be replaced.
Savings from the merger will be deposited in a special Northern Beaches Merger Savings Fund to provide an on-going pool of money for projects that directly benefit the community.
'The fund will not be used to reduce spending in other operational areas of Council’s Budget’, he added.
‘While it is too early to put a number on further annual savings from the merger, there is no doubt it is likely they will be substantial”, said, Mr Persson.
The NSW State Government committed $15 million for community benefit projects when the new Northern Beaches Council was proclaimed on 12 May 2016.
‘The Northern Beaches Merger Savings Fund will provide ongoing funding for these types of projects and this is great legacy for future generations on the Northern Beaches’, he said.
‘This approach will ensure a significant dividend is delivered to the community every year from the efficiencies achieved from the merging of the three councils.’ said Administrator of the Northern Beaches Council, Dick Persson.