The former Woolbrook local and Walcha Rams rugby union player pulled on the red-and-white guernsey again on Saturday, but this time he wasn’t returning to the football paddock.

Mr Joyce said while the Fit for the Future reforms were a state issue, he was throwing his weight behind Walcha to remain independent and lending his support to the Save Walcha Council group.

“I’ve been corresponding with the state minister for local government since October last year,” he said.

“To be frank, he hasn’t written back.

“This is the next option.”

Mr Joyce said although it was a state issue, in terms of obtaining federal funding and working on federal matters, it was easier to work with the council that “specifically represents the area”.

“First of all, I’m from here, I know the area well. Tamworth is a great city, but Walcha is not Tamworth,” he said.

“Armidale is a great place, it is not Walcha.

“Walcha has its own unique geography, it has long-established cultural identifications in both industry and art themes, and its national parks.

“And how can you get rid of a council that’s financially viable?”

Mr Joyce is the latest figure to speak out in support of Walcha retaining its autonomy, after former New England MP Tony Windsor recently said the council could still win the fight.

Mr Joyce said the two councils were already working together on shared services, but amalgamation wasn’t needed, because it could cripple the smaller fish in the demographic powerplay in Tamworth.

“(Walcha) would be lost. It’s only 3.5 per cent of the population. Once you get up onto the tablelands and away from the slopes, it’s a completely different area,” he said.