AMALGAMATION: 20 JANUARY 2017

Let’s hope the end is in sight at last

The media release issued today by the Leader of the NSW Nationals and Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, vowing to bring an end to local government mergers in the bush would have to be the best news we have had in a long time, according to Marj Bollinger, spokeswoman for Cabonne’s Amalgamation No Thank You (ANTY) group.

“ANTY will be hoping to continue to work closely with Mr Barilaro, who said he was looking forward to working with the new Premier, and we totally agree with him that it is time to draw a line in the sand over council amalgamations,” she said.

“Cabonne, being one of the 12 regional councils under threat of amalgamation, has certainly witnessed uncertainty and anger, as evidenced at the November 12 by-election, which has been the topic of conversation between ANTY and Mr Barilaro on a regular basis since he became Deputy Premier.

“We wish to congratulate Mr Barilaro for honouring his word to fix the amalgamation problem and making it one of his first orders of business in NSW Government discussions.

“Mr Barilaro has given the community the first glimpse of an opportunity of a bright future for regional NSW councils to maintain their autonomy, which is the important heart of their communities of interest.”

Based on media release issued by ANTY.