NO surprise in the Dubbo City Council's firm stand against a merger with Wellington and Narromine.
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The two smaller shire councils would also be likely to oppose merging.
Dubbo believes there are several resource-sharing and co-operative measures that could be pursued instead.
The Independent Local Government Review Panel recommended mergers of some councils in a report to the NSW government which was released in January.
Dubbo will also oppose an alternative recommendation that it participate in an Orana joint organisation with other councils in the region because it does not believe it should be pushed into a one-size-fits-all model enforced by the government.
Any merger would be complicated.
While "super-councils" would hopefully be able to continue work without government interference, it is inevitable that someone, somewhere would lose out.
Some duplicated expenses could be eliminated but at what cost to services and residents.
Would Narromine and Wellington residents get the same priority they do now?
Would Dubbo rates be used to help support the smaller towns?
Would a merged council be able to keep the same levels of service provided now?
The government would be looking at future financial estimates for councils and judging their viability.
It will be interesting to see its response.
It may be keen to see mergers.
Before any decisions or changes are made, they should be put to the public.