That was the opinion of mayor Ken Halstead when council debated joining the South East and Tablelands Regional Joint Organisation at the February 14 meeting.

In 2013 the Independent Local Government Panel recommended the establishment of Joint Organisations (JO) to strengthen regional collaboration between councils and improve partnerships with the state government.

While the majority of councillors were in favour of endorsing the recommendation to join, there remained concerns about the benefit of such an arrangement.

Councillor Duncan Gair said while he had previously spoken against JOs, now they existed, there was no harm in finding out what the benefits could be.

“The decision’s made that it’s going ahead. You can spit the dummy, kick the chair and say I’m not in favour of it or you can accept the fact that they’re here,” he said.

“If we want to try and get anything done, you have safety in numbers so to speak or a greater level of  political clout being one of eight other councils. Is it worth it? Time will tell.

“My biggest concern is that we as a council don’t start to become beholden to the JO.”

Council’s group manager corporate and community Nick O’Connor gave an introduction at the meeting on what was proposed.

He said being part of a JO could provide a greater capacity for engagement with the state and federal governments and encourage collaboration on regional issues.

Mr O’Connor estimated the annual membership fee would be about $30,000 and said there was a provision in the budget if council voted in favour of the proposal. 

Some of the other councils which could be involved in the JO include Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Goulburn-Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Snowy-Monaro, Upper Lachlan and Yass Valley councils.

A presentation by a representative of the Canberra JO had been made to councillors prior to the meeting.

Councillor Larry Whipper, who was the one dissenting vote, said the Wingecarribee would have more in common with the Illawarra than any of the other councils.

“We’ve already been declared as stand alone economic region. We don’t really fit anywhere,” he said.

“What sort of voice are we going to get on this panel? We’ve got nothing in common with this mob- we’re not going to get any advantage from this.”

Cr Ken Halstead shared these concerns but said he would do his best to represent the Wingecarribee but still held concerns about the venture.

“I’m very uncomfortable with this group. I wasn’t at all convinced by the polish but you’ve got to be in something I think. I see nothing in common with any of those councils listed there.

“I hope I’m not back here in 12 months or two years saying I told you so.”

However Cr Garry Turland said it was an option worth exploring in the hopes they could achieve something of benefit to the shire.

‘Even if we get one benefit out of this rock to change us back to a rural council in relation to the waste levy, that’s worth it. We’ve had trouble getting in to see any minister. I think [for] one year we should give it a go.”