During a debate on the progress of the Joint Organisation (JO) – in which Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven councils will join forces as part of a NSW government pilot – David Brown and Ann Martin took the chance to air their concerns. 

Under the state’s sweeping local government reforms, joint organisations are proposed in place of amalgamations for certain councils, including those in the Illawarra.

Wollongong councillors reluctantly signed up to the pilot JO program late last year, with all four Labor councillors and two independents voting against it.

On Monday, Cr Brown said he wanted to flag his continued scepticism as he was worried about the direction the government was taking with its statewide Fit for the Future reforms.

‘‘I work on the basis that the state government, any state government, is out to get us,’’ he told other councillors.

‘‘The final wash-up of Fit for the Future will tell us where we stand on that, and we keep hearing a lot of rumours about which way that might go, and what might happen with JOs or amalgamation in that process. Until we see legislation tabled in State Parliament we will not know where we stand. 

‘‘I have to say, the joint organisation still looks like a structure in search of a purpose.’’

Cr Martin also said she was a ‘‘great sceptic’’ of the new organisation and did not see its point.

‘‘I think it’s a diversion from our real work,’’ she said. ‘‘I worry we don’t know everything that’s planned and we are a little bit like lambs to the slaughter. ‘‘I hope I’m wrong, is all I can say.’’

Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery, who was elected chair of the Joint Organisation at its first meeting in March, said he took these comments on board and assured councillors he had represented their concerns.

Councillors voted unanimously to ‘‘note’’ the organisation’s progress and receive information about its regional priorities, which included getting better infrastructure, transport and access to jobs across the four councils.

kmcilwain@fairfaxmedia.com.au