2.30PM: BATHURST mayor Gary Rush says he is disappointed but not suprosed the state government has proposed a merger with Oberon Council.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Blayney Council was Bathurst's preferred merger partner, though Bathurst was also happy to stand alone.
Cr Rush said Bathurst would restate its preference to merge with Blayney as part of the next round of consultation, but would also continue talking with Oberon about the possibility of a joint future.
"We still have an interest with merging with Blayney so council will make a submission to that effect to the review process," he said.
"But, equally, we remain open to any conversations that Oberon wish to have with us.
"We will take a responsible approach and wherever the boundaries finally fall we will do our best to ensure those communities that become part of Bathurst Regional Council will be supported."
10.30AM: BATHURST Regional Council and Oberon Council will be forced to merge under a proposal handed down by the State Government today.
The Bathurst-Oberon merger has been proposed by Local Government Minister Paul Toole in a release to all council areas this morning.
Orange City Council will merge with Cabonne and Blayney and Dubbo and Wellington will be forced to amalgamate.
Today's announcement recommends no changes to the existing boundaries of the Cowra, Lithgow, Parkes, Forbes, Weddin and Mid-Western (Mudgee) council areas.
The proposal is sure to anger the Oberon community which has remained steadfastly opposed to a forced merger with any council area.
