Hamilton Mayor Charles Gosling said he has not heard any details of how the Corporation of Hamilton can remain financially viable in the future.

Mr. Gosling admitted he was "disappointed" that the Municipalities Reform Act 2010 was passed without any changes in the Upper House yesterday. And he said the Corporation would be meeting today to plan ways to save money, in the event they lose more revenue in 2011.

A controversial section of the Act has revoked the Corporation's ability to levy wharfage and port dues beginning next April. The new law could stop it from collecting $7.5 million a year in revenue.

Mr. Gosling told The Royal Gazette: "The next year will be a tough year one way or the other as the economy has not recovered as anticipated. Obviously losing 32 percent of revenue at this time would be a fatal blow.

"We are assured by comments in the House and the Senate that this is not the case. Unfortunately, at this time we have not heard to any detail what the case actually is and whereby we can plan a proper, meaningful budget. Thus the importance of preparing both scenarios."

He said the Corporation would be meeting today to start its financial planning process for next year. They will be preparing two budgets, one with a similar revenue to the estimated wharfage for next year. This would be well below 2009's total, he said, but in line with this year's "lower than expected numbers".

The Corporation will also prepare a budget in case they receive no revenue from wharfage and port dues.

Mr. Gosling said: "As we go through this process we will also request an early meeting with Minister [without Portfolio Zane DeSilva] in order to gain clarity on the intent of certain sections of the Bill. "We strive to establish a dialogue by which true reform can be created by both sides."

Yesterday in the Upper House, Opposition Senator Michael Dunkley proposed amendments that would allow the Corporation to maintain its power to levy wharfage and port dues.

The amendments were put to a vote with Progressive Labour Party Senators and Senate President Carol Ann Bassett voting against the changes.

Sen. Dunkley argued it was unconstitutional for Government to abolish the power, as the municipality owns the ports.

He said: "The Corporation needs revenue to do their work, if Government takes the ability to raise this revenue away in my opinion the [Corporation] will quickly be in a financial hole and that will have a dire impact on the City of Hamilton. It is not good enough for Government to say 'it may well be that the arrangement continues uninterrupted'. This is not good enough."

The Senator said he was disappointed the amendments failed, but added: "I understand the process well and with my years in politics I am well aware that if you believe you are right on certain issues you must stick to it and often it takes some time to get others to see your point of view.

"In this case I would not be surprised if this aspect of the bill was challenged in court in regards to the Constitution."