NSW Local Government Minister Don Page has praised Gosford and Wyong Councils for their approach to collaborative arrangements which have greatly enhanced the delivery of services to their ratepayers.

Gosford and Wyong Councils currently have 20 collaborate arrangements in place, utilising their combined resources to deliver better services to their thousands of residents.

Mr Page’s praise comes after this morning’s meeting with Gosford Mayor Laurie Maher, Gosford City Council general manager Peter Wilson and Gosford MP Chris Holstein, at Gosford City Council Chambers.

“The NSW Government has a policy of no forced council amalgamations, but the government actively encourages councils to enter into collaborative arrangements and Gosford and Wyong Councils are great examples of such co-operation,” Mr Page said.

"If councils wish to extend their partnership and consider amalgamation in the future, the government would view that positively but the first step is working together and sharing resources for maximum efficiency.

"Gosford and Wyong Councils are taking this approach and I commend them for it.”

Mr Page said the NSW Government was eager to further improve the relationship between local governments and the State Government, which deteriorated so badly under Labor.

"The NSW Government’s policy is to enhance the autonomy of councils; to de-centralise decision making so that residents have a bigger say in what happens in their communities.

"Our discussion today echoed that – it was a very positive and constructive meeting.”

Mr Page invited Gosford and Wyong Councils to speak about the successes of their collaborative arrangements and resource sharing, at the Destination 2036 Forum in Dubbo in August.