THE amalgamation ball has been left squarely in the Oberon community’s court following a meeting yesterday between Bathurst mayor Gary Rush and Oberon mayor Kathy Sajowitz.
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The meeting follows the handing down of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s assessment of local government, which gauged councils’ fitness to continue serving their communities.
Cr Rush said Bathurst Regional Council made its position clear.
“We believe the ultimate determination in regard to voluntary mergers is for the Oberon community to decide, and we took the opportunity to support that view,” Cr Rush said.
He added he also provided an assertion that if Oberon Council wishes to enter into further discussions regarding a voluntary merger, Bathurst Regional Council will co-operate.
Cr Rush said it was now up to the Oberon community to decide its future, but as a council, Bathurst needs to talk to its neighbours about the future structure of local government in the region.
Cr Rush said it was a productive meeting that demonstrated the good relationship that exists between Bathurst and Oberon councils.
Cr Rush said Cr Sajowitz advised him that Oberon would be holding a community meeting on November 9 which would give the residents of the district an opportunity to comment on any possible mergers.
“It will lay out the advantages and disadvantages of merging with Bathurst for the community to consider,” Cr Rush said.
The Bathurst mayor said that while in Oberon he also met with members of the anti-amalgamation group, which had been planning to stage a protest to greet Cr Rush’s arrival.
“It was a very convivial and productive meeting and I reassured them we believe it is up to the Oberon community to decide whether they want a voluntary merger,” he said.
“I really do believe this group has a genuine interest in understanding and discussing some of the issues around a merger of Bathurst Regional Council and Oberon Council.
“We will await Oberon’s decision on this matter, and any further discussions with Oberon will be at the invitation of Oberon Council.”
Cr Rush said Bathurst Regional Council will now seek discussions with Blayney Shire Council over the next few weeks.
He said council has until November 18 to submit its feedback on the IPART review.
“We have the opportunity to nominate three councils that we could potentially merge with,” Cr Rush said.
