BOB BALDWIN CALLS FOR MERGER RETHINK

Federal Liberal MP Bob Baldwin has called on his state counterparts to reconsider their push to merge Newcastle and Port Stephens councils.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Baldwin described Newcastle Council as a “financial basket case”, while labeling the report used to justify an amalgamation as “fundamentally flawed”.

“Port Stephens Council, like all councils, supports the government’s direction to strengthening local government based on logic. But this proposal seems to defy logic.”

A final decision on the merger is expected before June.