The independent report recommends combining the existing 47 RLPB areas into just 14.

The proposal will be the key topic of discussion when delegates from across the state meet in Coffs Harbour for what could be the last conference under the current system.

Central Tablelands RLPB chairman John Seaman will be chair just his third local board meeting in Bathurst this week to discuss proposals for major structural change across the state.

Mr Seaman will next week lead the delegates from Central Tablelands to Coffs Harbour along with board manager Tim Johnston and directors Sam Connell, Tony Toole, Howard Sinclair, Jenny Barnes and Graeme Larnach.

He was realistic enough yesterday to suggest he’s in for a short term in office, going so far as to say he’d be surprised if Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald did not announce next Wednesday that the 47 boards will become 14 from early next year.

“Our board meets this week and delegates will attend the conference in Coffs Harbour next week when the review report will be discussed for one of two days,” Mr Seaman said.

“It seems I’m in for one of the shortest careers as a board chairman.”

Mr Seaman said the review report has been in hands of RLPB directors four to five days and, from his reading of it, next week will be the last conference of the RLPB as it has been known.

“This is looming as the last supper,” Mr Seaman said, acknowledging how it was easy to see why NSW RLPB State Council had commissioned the report from Integrated Marketing Communications handed down last week.

Mr Seaman agreed that references in an executive summary of the review highlighted what the RLPB State Council had done, “as any good business manager would do in the current financial and economic circumstances”.

The summary reported: “In 2006, the total income of the RLPB system was $51.1 million with expenditure of $49.7 million, decreases of five and six per cent respectively compared to 2005.

“The financial performance across the 47 boards varied markedly with 20 recording a deficit in at least two of the past three years and 16 with a deficit in at least three of the past five years.”

Having read those details, Mr Seaman accepted there had to be changes.

Mr Seaman said changes recommended would mean Central Tablelands becomes part of Tablelands, joining with Yass, Young and Goulburn boards and taking one sector of the former Molong board.

At least the grouping of the four boards mentioned brings communities who have an affinity together, Mr Seaman said.

All roles of directors would be capped in time and staggered over two to four years.