Representatives of individual councils as well as council joint organisations (JOs) made presentations at a parliamentary committee inquiry hearing in Armidale yesterday.

And there will now be “a lot of nervous councils talking about the A-word – the amalgamation word”, in the words of Col Murray.

Cr Murray spoke to the committee in his capacity as chairman of the Namoi Councils Joint Organisation, which comprises the Gwydir shire, Gunnedah shire, Liverpool Plains shire, Moree Plains shire, Narrabri shire, Tamworth regional and Walcha councils.

The angle of his presentation was the JO as “somewhat of an alternative to amalgamation”.

Gwydir Shire Council seems to be a particular target for a merger, after it received a letter from Local Government Minister Paul Toole strongly suggesting it consider joining with Moree Plains Shire Council.

But Cr Murray said the councils had already demonstrated some of the benefits of forming a JO, including reducing costs and the duplication of effort.

One example was in water utilities reform, for which they have teamed up to bulk-buy consultancy and apply for funding, among other measures.

As to whether there will be mergers forced on any of the councils in his JO, Cr Murray said he was “hopeful that we don’t see any significant changes – that’s the way I see it personally”.

“I think we are presenting a case that could be somewhat of an alternative.

“I can’t say it’s the perfect model ... 

“I think (the smaller councils in the JO) have, after putting their submissions in, got some level of optimism that they’ll be left alone – but I don’t think it’s an exclusive feeling; I think they are still concerned.”

Cr Murray said he was now keen for it “all to be over and done with”.

“We can’t do anything more now than keep putting our pilot model together, which we’re working pretty hard to do.

“We’re putting ourselves in the absolute best position we can, and then after that it’s up to the state government.”