AMALGAMATION: 24 DECEMBER 2016

Is there some Christmas cheer in the air for Cabonne?

Yesterday, Molong Online reported that Cabonne Council had been advised by the NSW Crown Solicitor’s office that the Minister for Local Government would not be taking any action regarding the proposed amalgamation of Cabonne Shire with Orange City and Blayney Shire until at least 10 January (http://molong.com.au/government/local/
2016/12_16/jan10/jan10.html).

It now appears that the deadline for an independent Cabonne has actually been extended to 22 February 2017.

Molong Online has since seen Facebook postings about correspondence between Stephen Harding, Cabonne Council’s Acting General Manager, and Peter King, senior counsel for Cabonne.

That correspondence suggests that the appeal documents have been lodged and the Minister has agreed not to hand down a decision to amalgamate Cabonne Council before 22/2/17.

Given the precariousness of the Government’s position regarding forced amalgamations, especially after the thumping it received in the Orange By-Election, Molong Online reckons any delay is a good thing, giving the anti-amalgamation forces more time to gather support and possibly reverse that policy.

We will endeavour to get to the bottom of the story and let you know.