The majority of the 19 speakers yesterday afternoon hailed from the former Dumaresq shire and spoke of a lack of infrastructure maintenance in outlying areas since the merger occurred.

In contrast with the Guyra meeting earlier that day, only 50 people attended and the meeting finished an hour and 20 minutes early.

Armidale Dumaresq rural ratepayer Sally Lucas said the road she lived on had not had its stormwater drainage system maintained “since Dumaresq shire’s amalgamation”, despite repeated calls to Armidale Dumaresq Council.

Armidale Dumaresq Ratepayers Association chairwoman Maria Hitchcock also opposed the merger.

“As chair of the Dumaresq Local Area Committee since 2000, I have seen this neglect first-hand,” she said.

“Rural residents have to lobby very hard to get anything done in their areas.”

Guyra shire deputy mayor Simon Murray said he had experienced badly maintained Armidale Dumaresq rural roads and expected the trend to continue.

“Anyone living on the extremities of the shire will be severely impacted,” he said.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall reiterated his position that he “could not be more strident” in his opposition to any forced mergers.

“The case for this proposal has failed,” Mr Marshall said.

“Bigger isn’t necessarily better.”

Armidale Dumaresq councillors were the sole voices of support for amalgamation, with only councillors Herman Beyersdorf and Margaret O’Connor speaking in its favour.

Cr Beyersdorf said Armidale was “the true regional centre of New England” and a merger with one or more councils would create a mutually beneficial and strong area.

“Armidale does well when the towns and areas around Armidale are doing well,” he said.

Cr Beyersdorf also blasted opponents for the “in some cases offensive” comments claiming that the council was not harmonious as hurtful to ratepayers.

“(We are) a financially and socially viable council. Do not unfairly defile or denigrate this beautiful city in the process,” he said.

Cr O’Connor, one of the last speakers, also said claims made about rural infrastructure maintenance and representation were unfair.

“There are a lot of factual inaccuracies being spoken of today,” she said.