NEWLY elected Holroyd mayor Ross Grove has suggested council services such as libraries and administration could be merged with Parramatta Council to save money.
Councillor Grove was responding to a development industry report that said Sydney’s 43 local government areas were outdated and needed to be streamlined.
‘‘I know Parramatta Council has suggested shared library services . . . and I think that is a good idea,’’ the Liberal Party member said.
‘‘The childcare issue, I think we need a bit more information on, and I called for a report around that in the last term.
‘‘I know privatisation is always a controversial subject, but we do need to talk about new ways to provide services.
‘‘Shared service centres (for Holroyd and Parramatta councils), I don’t think that’s a bad idea.
‘‘Anything to reduce bureaucracy without reducing the level of services is a good idea.’’
But Cr Grove said any plan to fully amalgamate the councils should be put to a referendum.
However, Parramatta’s Liberal lord mayor, John Chedid, was less enthusiastic about the idea than his Holroyd counterpart.
‘‘That’s never been one our policies,’’ he said.
‘‘I personally don’t support privatisation. We have a great crew here in our city and they do a great job.
‘‘Why would you want to change that?’’