The Cootamundra Herald contacted the department for a definitive answer on the future of the Local Government Area. 

“Will the merger of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council be undone?” The Herald asked. 

In reply from a DPC spokesperson came: “The government remains committed to the new Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.”

Follow-up correspondence to the department from the Herald questioned whether this statement meant a de-merger of the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council would not take place, a question which they refused to answer. 

Instead the department referred the Herald to their former statement and would not be drawn to comment further. 

While the statement does confirm current commitment to the amalgamated council, the lack of response on whether a de-merger would or would not take place signifies it is not beyond the realm of possibility. 

The lack of firm clarity on the subject provides hope to community members campaigning to see the reinstatement of the former Cootamundra and Gundagai Shire Councils. 

Recently, six members of Gundagai’s ‘Council in Exile’ group met with Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Local Government Gabrielle Upton to discuss the possibility of a de-merger. 

While bouyed by the government’s willingness to hear them out, the group left the 40-minute meeting with no definitive yes or no answer on whether a de-merger could or would happen.

This latest statement from the DPC confirms the government is still not prepared to jump off the fence on the issue. 

On the back of a relatively recent change in administrator and general manager, former Cootamundra Shire Councillor Mary Donnelly said this latest revelation leaves the council in a “precarious” position. 

“We’re in limbo,” she said. 

Her eyes are firmly on the September 9 Local Government election which will restore democracy in Cootamundra and Gundagai allowing residents to vote in the councillors of their choice.