Ahead of a scheduled media conference today, Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald has released information about the outlook for Hunter and North West councilmergers on social media.
The future of four councils remains uncertain, with a decision made on mergers once all options have been considered.
It comes after Port Stephens and Dungog Council put forward alternative proposals to the state government in March.
It’s been recommended Port Stephens merge with Newcastle, but the Port Stephens community has been vocal in its opposition to this proposal.
Instead, it wants to join Dungog, if standing alone isn’t an option.
Dungog has also submitted an alternative proposal to amalgamate with Maitland, instead of Gloucester.
Local Government Minister Paul Toole says while he knows it may prolong uncertainty for these communities, it’s important the state government gets it right.
Public inquiries for the proposed Port Stephens-Dungog amalgamation are scheduled to take place in early June.
Meanwhile in the North West, Mr MacDonald has also revealed that Armidale Dumaresq and Guyra Shire councils will be merged.
