Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke says she is making progress on her promise to establish a review into the forced amalgamation of Cootamundra and Gundagai councils.
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Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional councillor Charlie Sheahan this week called for the newly re-elected MP to demonstrate that the NSW Government's highly contentious decision back in 2016 would be examined.
"I call on our local member Steph Cooke to honor her recent election statement that she would call for a parliamentary review into the forcibly merged councils," Cr Sheahan stated in a letter to the editor.
"I have always publicly opposed forcibly merged councils because; firstly, it is undemocratic when you do not have the support of the people; and secondly, I was not convinced of the efficiencies through cost savings and service delivery, that the government promised."
Ms Cooke told The Cootamundra Herald that "I stand by my commitment to request a detailed, rigorous and independent review of the benefits to rate payers from the joining of these two councils".
"On Wednesday I met with the Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock to discuss council amalgamations and Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council," she said.
"I will continue to work closely with Minister Hancock to represent the views and concerns of the local community.
"I have supported representatives of the Gundagai Council in Exile and the Save Gundagai Shire Group, and have been making written representations to the Minister, in addition to Wednesday's meeting.
"This includes seeking a response to the Gundagai Council in Exile's petition, an issue which has been outstanding since the meeting I convened (with) the then Minister for Local Government, Gabrielle Upton."
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In November, Cootamundra-Gundagai councillors backed a motion to give "solidarity with the people of Gundagai as they seek to demerge from a forcibly amalgamated council".
Cr Sheahan, who moved the motion last year said this week that the merger was continuing to place additional costs on the council as it tried to meet the needs of two towns that were 60 kilometres apart.
Ms Cooke said she acknowledged the merger "has been challenging for the community" and the council.