NSW Legislative Council member Scot MacDonald stood out among the speakers at the public inquiry in Guyra yesterday, declaring his support for the merger.
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Mr MacDonald said Guyra shire was struggling financially and urged the crowd to consider the near future of the region.
“We’re living on a financial near-death experience year to year,” he said about Guyra shire.
“I think we share employment, things like sport, education, the airport – I think there’s a great social connection between the two regions.”
Mr MacDonald said size was holding the region back and hinted at the bigger merger as a better option.
“We can sell ourselves as a regional council. There are opportunities there. I think it would be better with Uralla in the mix,” he said.
“We’re in competition with regional centres across the state.
“I think we have to get that scale and capacity to do that.
“This is about inter-generational equity.
“I appreciate the passion here, but this is about what’s happening in five years’, 10 years’ and 15 years’ time.”
Mr MacDonald told The Leader there were concerns about financial sustainability in the region.
“But one thing we do know, one thing that isn’t unknown, is the financial sustainability will be very, very difficult,” he said.
“We’re looking at a 30-plus per cent rate rise just to keep our head above water.
“Now that’s not a way for a council to survive.”