More than 300 residents attended the meeting.

It was the opportunity for residents to speak to the delegate, Renata Brooks, appointed by the NSW Government to provide a report on the amalgamation proposal to the Boundaries Commission.

Mayor Kathy Sajowitz was given 11 minutes to speak and the other 82 speakers were given three minutes each.

Cr Sajowitz said the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal deemed Oberon should merge because it failed to meet scale and capacity criteria because of its population growth.

“Oberon Council commissioned the University of Technology Sydney Centre for an independent report and the figures were based on council’s audited reports for 2014/15,” she said.

“The report stated Oberon’s best option was to stand alone as ‘size does not equal efficiency’.

Cr Sajowitz also requested that Local Member and Minister for Local Government, Paul Toole, offer some logical explanation as to why he appears so determined to force this takeover of Oberon by Bathurst Regional Council.

“We have a vibrant timber industry, healthy rural sector and a growing tourism industry,” she said.

“Borg Industries are expanding with an $118 million project and it’s also been announced we have Nectar Farms investing another $116 million in Oberon.”

Marj Armstrong, member of Oberon’s Anti-Amalgamation Committee, said Oberon is a rural town and was founded as a rural community.

“Oberon has grown and developed with its own local government – if Oberon and Bathurst were amalgamated Oberon would have no representation on council. We don’t have the numbers and we would have to vote for people we don’t know,” she said. “Services, shops and schools will suffer – our rural town will be lost.”

Sam Harris said Oberon is rural and Bathurst is regional – we don’t want to fix something that is not broken. “Oberon Council provides everything we need”.

Many speakers asked the question “why is this happening and where are our democratic rights?”

Oberon man David McMurray welcomed Ms Brooks to Oberon and told her “Oberon is simply spectacular and fiercely independent”.

“We want a council that’s governed by the needs of the community, if amalgamated Oberon would lose it’s identity.”

At the conclusion of the meeting Ms Brooks thanked everyone for their input “Thank you, your information has been very helpful”.

The public inquiry meetings are the next step in the government’s reform for local councils which includes recommended mergers throughout the state.

Paul Toole said he was pleased with the number of residents who attended the public inquiry meeting and he encouraged everyone to provide a written submission by February 28.

“I encourage you to read the proposal and have your say,” he said.

“No decision has been made about the proposal, but the independent delegate will provide an evidence-based report looking at a range of factors such as finances of councils, geography, the communities interest before its handed over to the Boundaries Commission for comment.”

Following the close of submissions, Ms Brooks will provide a report to the Boundaries Commissioner for comment. The final report will then be sent to the Minister for Local Government for a decision.

The final announcement, which will be announced by proclamation of the Governor is expected in June 2016.