AMALGAMATION: 08 DECEMBER 2016

Orange City confirms bike project well into planning stage — and that it is working closely with Cabonne Council

Earlier this week, Cabonne’s Amalgamation No Thank You (ANTY) group sent a letter to Orange City Mayor John Davis following comments in The Daily Telegraph in which he stated : “That projects were on hold because of delays — and that the mountain-bike centre at Mount Canobolas is among the projects under threat unless Orange, Cabonne and Blayney pooled resources.”

ANTY Chairman Jock Haynes said: “Mayor Davis effectively implied that if the proposed forced merger did not proceed then the mountain bike centre would most likely not be developed.

“Whilst we are yet to receive a formal response from the Mayor himself, an Orange City employee, Scott Maunder, replied via email, with his response being somewhat at odds with the remarks of his Mayor.”

Mr Maunder’s email confirmed that planning for the mountain bike centre was well underway, stating that ‘Cabonne Council had been fully involved in the project to date, with Councillors and General Manager “participating in the reference committee established for the planning of the project and consideration of the environmental considerations.”

His email went on to say: “All documents relating to the planning have been provided to Cabonne.

“Blayney Council have not been involved in the project planning as Mt Canobolas sits within Cabonne LGA.”

Jock Haynes concluded by saying: “The continuing ability of the two councils to work together on this important project for the region proves that a merger is not required to ensure that ventures of this nature proceed.”

Based on media release issued by ANTY.