The initiative sought to obtain mutually beneficial outcomes for both Liverpool Plains and Gunnedah communities, using shared services similar to what a council merger would have offered but without risking local autonomy.

Gunnedah Shire Council reported at its ordinary meeting last week that LPSC had withdrawn its support for the strategy. 

“While Gunnedah was willing to proceed with further development of the concept, LPSC advised that their situation had changed and that they were no longer in a position to pursue a structured, ongoing resource sharing arrangement,” the commentary read.

Councillors lamented the $15,000 outlaid in an initial budget endorsed in November, last year, used for professional services associated with stage three of the resource sharing strategy.

“[I]… strongly regret the amount of money expended on the project,” one councillor remarked. “It’s a real disappointment that has happened.”

The deal was quashed by LPSC despite overwhelming support from its own community for a resource sharing agreement.

In a 2014 survey tabled in the Fit for the Future results, LPSC asked residents: “To enable LPSC to be a stand alone council, and be financially sustainable, do you agree with efficiency strategies, such as resource sharing with other councils?”

Eighty-one per cent of respondents from nearly 1000 people surveyed agreed the sharing measures were a good idea.

If the proposal did proceed, both councils agreed services such as information technology and human resources would be given top priority.

Other services also considered included payroll, corporate training and training facilitation.

LPSC’s preference was to revert to the “ad-hoc sharing of services on a periodic basis” between councils as had been the method in the past.

The LPSC has been contacted for comment.