AMALGAMATION: 14 FEBRUARY 2017

Cabonne Mayor ecstatic at merger backdown

An ecstatic Cabonne Mayor Ian Gosper has welcomed the announcement today that the NSW Government will not proceed with a proposed merger of Cabonne with Orange and Blayney Councils, describing the decision as a great victory for local democracy.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced today her Government would not go ahead with pending amalgamations in rural areas while proceeding with those planned for Sydney.

Cr Gosper said the decision vindicated Cabonne’s stand against the forced amalgamation and the subsequent legal action the Council took.

“We have always stood up for the majority of Cabonne residents who have made it very clear over the past four years they are strongly opposed to any amalgamation,” he said.

“Our communities indicated they are worried about the lack of rural or small town representation an amalgamation with a city council may deliver.

“Cabonne residents let the Government know that in last November’s Orange by-election. I have no doubt the opposition to the merger was the major reason the Nationals lost one of their safest seats — a defeat that led to the resignation of then the Nationals leader Troy Grant.”

Cr Gosper thanked Cabonne residents who had strongly supported the Council’s amalgamation fight, particularly the ANTY (Amalgamation No Thank You) group which waged a high profile campaign against the proposal.

He also paid tribute to Nationals leader John Barilaro, whose promise last month to end further mergers in the bush forced the new Berejiklian Government to reconsider its amalgamations policy.

“When Mr Barilaro replaced Troy Grant he met with Cabonne Council and community representatives. He promised to listen to our concerns and have ‘a good, hard look’ at council mergers,” the Mayor said.

Based on media release issued by Cabonne Council.