A 31-page report analysing the state government’s controversial plan to combine the councils will be tabled at council’s meeting on Monday night. While wordy, the analysis offers little insight on where the organisation stands on the issue. 

The document stated the extent of any financial advantages of a merger wouldn’t be evident unless both councils “were in a position to work together” to analyse current operations and cost options for a future organisation and its transition.

“This avenue is currently not available under the forced amalgamation proposal,” the report, by general manager David Farmer, said. 

“Based on a comparison of the available information, there are numerous similarities with respect to the financial positions of both Wollongong City Council and Shellharbour City Council, that present neither significant advantages nor disadvantages with respect to a merger.”

The report indicated the government’s detailed merger proposal didn’t provide information about a number of operational aspects. 

“[The] merger proposal does not demonstrate how a merged council would deliver material benefits to the community through its reshaped regulatory functions that, on balance, outweigh the costs of a merger,” the document said. 

Potential implications for existing staff and council’s role as an employer in the region were listed as “key issues for careful consideration”. 

The report also suggested some merger advantages weren’t reflected in the government proposal and council should consider a preferred name for any new entity as part of its formal written submission. 

The report recommended council determines an “in-principle response” and authorise lord mayor Gordon Bradbery to present its views at the public inquiry on Tuesday. 

To date, most councillors have said they needed more information before determining their stance.