RESIDENTS of Cabonne Council who fear amalgamation have been urged to attend a rally outside Minister for Local Government Paul Toole’s Bathurst office this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cabonne, which has a shire population of just over 13,000, covers a number of towns and villages near Orange.
The Cabonne-based Amalgamation No Thank You (ANTY) group plans to be at the Member for Bathurst’s office on October 17, the day after the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal submits its recommendations on the future of local government in NSW for his consideration.
ANTY spokeswoman Marj Bollinger said support for amalgamations among Coalition ranks seemed to be dwindling, yet Mr Toole had maintained no change to councils was not an option.
“These statements alone suggest Minister Toole has pre-empted the findings of IPART,” she said.
“[Member for Orange] Andrew Gee has openly stated his opposition to the forced amalgamation of Orange and Cabonne councils.
“It is such a pity Mr Toole refuses to listen to his colleague.”
Cabonne covers Canowindra, Cargo, Cudal, Cumnock, Eugowra, Manildra, Molong and Yeoval.
The Independent Local Government Review Panel recommended in 2013 for Orange to merge with Cabonne, Blayney or both.
ANTY plans to offer buses from Cudal, Manildra, Cumnock and Molong for the rally.
Oberon residents who fear their council will be forced to merge with Bathurst protested in Machattie Park and outside Mr Toole’s office last month.
