State politics was turned on its head last week with the shock resignation of Premier Mike Baird.
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For many Cootamundra residents, Mr Baird will be remembered as the man behind the widely unpopular forced merger of Cootamundra and Gundagai Shire Councils.
With negotiations between a new Premier and Nationals leader and Deputy Premier John Barilaro in progress, it appeared councils would be thrown a lifeline.
In a statement from Mr Barilaro on Friday he vowed "to put an end to the local government mergers in the bush".
"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.
However, in another statement released today to the Cootamundra Herald, Mr Barilaro said his initial focus will be on those mergers still pending.
“Unresolved local government amalgamations will be on the first order of business for discussions with the new Premier,” Mr Barilaro said.
He said these discussions will be limited to those councils where there are mergers pending, specifically:
- Bathurst Regional and Oberon councils
- Blayney Shire, Cabonne and Orange City councils
- Dungog Shire and Maitland City councils
- Port Stephens
“Ongoing and protracted legal negotiations are no good for communities – from a financial or emotional perspective,” Mr Barilaro said.
“This debate has landed on the kitchen tables of families across the bush, and I want to bring certainty to those communities still under a cloud of legal action,” he continued.
The Cootamundra Herald has asked Mr Barilaro to comment on his stance in regard to already amalgamated councils including Cootamundra and Gundagai and whether he will seek to undo these amalgamations in his negotiation process with the new Premier.
We will publish his response when available.
Cootamundra Herald readers were left unimpressed with Mr Baird’s time as Premier following his resignation announcement on Thursday, taking to social media to comment on his legacy.
From Adam Manwaring, “Tried to be a dictator, forcing amalgamations, greyhound race banning, without listening to those effected”.
Tracey Gould said “Maybe we might get our own council back!” before adding “Wishful thinking...”.
Maxwell Anderson commented “Like most premiers his legacy will be looking after Sydney and not the whole state as well as the botched council amalgamations (and) the stupid greyhound ban.”
Member for Cootamundra Katrina Hodgkinson took a more diplomatic approach to Mr Baird’s time as premier saying “Mike Baird leaves a tremendous legacy overall, having overseen the rebuilding of the State’s finances following 16 years of Labor government, first as Treasurer and then as Premier.”
“Thanks to a strong NSW Liberals and Nationals Government in New South Wales, we have a AAA credit rating, record low unemployment and greater investment in the regions - including funding for new bridges and roads programs, education and new health infrastructure,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
This is despite being shuffled off the front bench following Mr Baird’s 2015 victory and further demoted in August for taking a stand against the greyhound racing ban.
