Stuart Ayres was due to visit Tamworth later this week in his role as Sports Minister, to be briefed on the Northern Inland Sporting Centre of Excellence, which needs state government funding before Tamworth Regional Council gives it the green light.

Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson told The Leader he met with Mr Ayres on Monday, and while he is still keen to visit Tamworth, the meeting was “on hold pending the ministerial reshuffle”.

The cabinet reshuffle could lead to a promotion for Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, with speculation he could become the new Local Government Minister if Paul Toole fails to retain his portfolio.

Mr Marshall campaigned hard against his government’s unpopular forced council amalgamations, which saw two of the local government areas in his electorate – Armidale and Guyra – merged.