Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced last month that the Bathurst-Oberon merger would not proceed but both councils had been left in limbo for another three weeks awaiting official word.

That finally came on Monday in a letter to council from Local Government Minister Gabrielle Upton, which also confirmed the government would keep pushing ahead with mergers in the Sydney metropolitan area.

Ms Upton also confirmed – as expected – that Bathurst voters would go to the polls on Saturday, September 9 to elect a new council.

Council general manager David Sherley said the minister’s letter meant it was a return to business as usual for Bathurst.

“It also means the restrictions that were in place under Section 23A guidelines have now been lifted, including restrictions on the process surrounding the reappointment or replacement of senior staff,” he said.

Ms Upton’s letter carries particular significance for Bathurst Regional Council which has been carrying vacancies in two senior roles for some time.

The positions previously held by former environmental planning and building services director David Shaw and engineering director Doug Patterson have both been filled by acting directors since their departures.

Council can now consider filling them on a permanent basis.

However, any restructure of departments would be a responsibility of the councillors so changes might again be put on the backburner until after the Sepember election.