She has hit on some issues that need to be discussed in public and not behind closed doors, as has become evident since the Manilla, Barraba, Parry and Nundle forced amalgamations.

The 355 community development committees were an exercise in futility – the information and structure around these committees a total farce.

At the time, following the amalgamations, Tamworth Regional Council staff didn’t have any knowledge on how these committees would function.

Thus came the frustration with communication forwarded to the council not being answered or acknowledged.

I can remember being at a meeting soon after the amalgamation, when questions became a little difficult around our local council workforce regarding long-term employment.

The distance from Tamworth to Walcha is much greater than it is to Manilla, but don’t be fooled – the outcome will be the same decimation of local council staff.

Without a ward structure, the above communities have lost employment and many staff with a higher skills set and local knowledge.

In short, the workforce has been all but obliterated, especially after the honeymoon period. 

The National Party needs to take a leaf out of the Labor Party book – at least they appeared to give the ratepayers a hearing of our concerns, even though they had no real impact on the outcome.

In the current climate, it is almost impossible to have a say on amalgamation.

Firstly, you must make a written submission requesting permission to talk at one of the “consultation” meetings, not being guaranteed any more than a minute of time to have a your say.

Minister Paul Toole is not contactable by the ratepayers until such time as all meetings have been held and he has a report from the select few who have his ear (a bit like the 2004 Varden report – written before he got here).

So if you haven’t seen Michelle Bryan’s report in the Saturday NDL, I suggest you get a copy and read it.

There is a lot more that can be said – are we as ratepayers going to be given a chance?

In the present climate, that is doubtful, Mr Toole.

Is it time for the states to go and local government to be reinstated – at least you get to say g’day.

Peter J Dutton

Past chairman, Manilla Act Group (against amalgamation 2003/04)

Manilla