AMALGAMATION: 08 FEBRUARY 2017

The Orange Revolution is thriving, but where is the Government action?

Communities statewide are now networking, urging the state government to hurry up and come clean in writing with their decision on council amalgamations.

“It is now over three weeks since the ‘mass resignations’ and whilst we appreciate Mr Barilaro’s support and his statement regarding further mergers and Mr Toole saying that the Orange, Blayney Cabonne merger would not be happening, there is still no confirmation that Mr Barilaro is a man of his word,” said Marj Bollinger, spokesperson for Cabonne’s Amalgamation No Thank You ANTY) group.

“We now have a new Premier and Minister for Local Government, who are both talking about ‘listening to the people’ and ‘considering the council amalgamation issues’, but there is still no action or documentation forthcoming to back up their words.

“In the meantime, disenchanted communities are banding together statewide, invigorated by the ‘Orange by-election revolution’, to let the government know that the same outcome will occur in the upcoming by-elections and indeed at the 2019 general election unless a positive outcome is announced quickly.

“A rally in Sydney over the weekend, one scheduled for Queanbeyan on Friday, a rally being organized in Guyra, and organisation of a statewide petition for 10,000 signatures to present to parliament.

“These events are evidence that ‘people power’ can and will prevail.

“If the government continue to ignore the people it will be at their own peril, and many more political heads will roll.”

Based on media release issued by ANTY.