Josephus, why do you choose to lie "Blue Mt's Council is Greens" I understand only 3 of the 12 councilors are Greens the rest are a mix of ALP Liberal and Independents. I believe the penalty for a religious ratty lying (fist offence) is to burn in hell for eternity! Can you confirm that for me.

Is Mise the favored color of Shooters is WHITE, you would all look really ridiculous with green bed sheets over your heads, watching that cross burn!

As someone who takes an interest in local government this thread opens up the broader question, what should councils be responsible for in the local community? At one time this was clear cut, council was responsible for the three R's, road, rates and rubbish, and involved itself in little else. The council was made up of mostly well meaning, but amateurish citizens, with only the need to make basic decisions for the community, with guidance from the professional staff, eg does that 'outhouse' application meet the requirements of the building code, yes or no, rather simple to determine. Today local government has a far greater, and complex roll to play, involving itself in a wide range of complex community matters, and consequently having demands put on it to provide, from ratepayers funds, a whole host of community and individual social needs.
Here in NSW, Mike Baird's Coalition governments believed the 'fix' for the ills of local government lies in amalgamation of councils into larger entities, and therefore increasing their capacity to efficiently provide for the community. Some feel that this mass amalgamation takes the word "local" out of local communities.

Its not about the community, if it goes against the local community.
It's about leaders wanting greater top down control over elections, finances and citizens.