A SERIES of meetings will be held between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils to wade through local government reform.
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Earlier this year the NSW Independent Local Government Review Panel recommended merging some Hunter councils, including Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, to save money and resources.
Under the state government's Fit For the Future reform package announced this month, the councils will not be forced to amalgamate.
However, it was highly recommended they merge.
The panel has asked councils to submit a proposal by June 30, 2015, on how they will become and remain financially sustainable.
In response, staff from Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils have agreed to meet to discuss the reform package and reach an agreement on what action to take.
A Lake Macquarie council report stated to do this, it needed "unfettered information on the nature of Newcastle City Council", including access to financial records. Lake Macquarie mayor Jodie Harrison said her council would reciprocate on this "open book" approach.
