DEPUTY Premier and NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro has vowed to bring an end to local government mergers in the bush.
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Fairfax Media has been told this only relates to the regional mergers yet to be signed off due to legal disputes or alternate proposals.
According to government’s list, his includes the Armidale Dumaresq, Guyra Shire, Uralla Shire and Walcha councils, Bathurst Regional and Oberon councils, Dungog Shire and Maitland City council, and Blayney Shire, Cabonne and Orange City councils.
It is unclear what options are available for councils already forced to undergo amalgamations.
Mr Barilaro said he was looking forward to working with the new Premier but it was time to draw a line in the sand over council amalgamations.
“The policy of local government amalgamations has impacted 20 councils, 12 of which are in regional NSW causing uncertainty and anger, and others are locked in costly legal action – that all stops today,” Mr Barilaro said.
Fixing this problem, he said, would be one of his first orders of business in NSW Government discussions.
Mr Barilaro also added that the agreement between the NSW Nationals and Liberals is a blank sheet of paper.
“There are no promises of portfolios – I made no deals when taking over as leader of the NSW Nationals and I won’t start now,” he said.
“Everything is on the table – there are portfolios which I will be seeking as leader of the NSW Nationals and no doubt there are portfolios which the incoming Premier will be seeking.
“The NSW Nationals and regional NSW won’t be taken for granted in any future negotiations.”
Mr Barilaro said he was determined that regional NSW would be front and centre of all discussions around the future Cabinet table.
“There has been, quite rightly, criticism that lip service only has been paid to regional areas over the past few years – the Auditor-General report made that clear,” he added.
“It is an exciting opportunity to draw a bright future for NSW - one that has our regional communities at the heart.
“I have spent the past eight weeks visiting and, most importantly, listening to the people of regional NSW.
“Along with NSW Nationals deputy leader Niall Blair I have heard their clear messages, both for and against, across a range of issues impacting on their lives and I will be taking it to the Cabinet table.”
Mr Barilaro said the NSW Nationals are the only party representing regional NSW that are actually sitting at the decision-making table and holding the pen.
“Everyone else is just a pretender.”