Spokesperson for Oberon Anti Amalgamation committee Marj Arm- strong said some of the guests speakers highlighted the anomalies of the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal’s (IPART) report to the state government.

The IPART report commissioned by the government found Oberon unfit  because of its insufficient population growth to serve the community in the future.

Oberon Council has formalised its stance against amalgamation with a response to the NSW Government that Oberon will stand alone as a council and no merger will be considered.

Mrs Armstrong said it’s now up to the government.

“We now need Oberon to stay strong along with many other councils who have made the same decision,” she said.

Oberon Mayor Kathy Sajowitz told the Oberon Review that Greens spokesperson for Local Government David Shoebridge is visiting the Central West next week and is coming to Oberon to talk about Fit For The Future and forced amalgamations. 

“David is also a barrister and, along with other members in the Upper House, is supporting the recommendations of the recent public enquiry into the IPART process and council amalgamations,” she said. 

“Along with Alan Jones, Reverend Fred Nile, Labour Shadow Minister for Local Government Peter Primrose and others, David was a keynote speaker at the Save Local Democracy rally last week.

“David is an informative and interesting speaker, whatever your political views. If you support the push against forced amalgamations, you are invited to come along to the Community Centre on Wednesday, December 2 and listen to what David has to say.”

The meeting will begin at 3.30pm.

Local member and Minister for Local Government Paul Toole has said it was inevitable there would be major change.

Mr Toole said this was something the government had been talking about for the past four years, and although change was never easy, it was something the sector had been calling out for.