Upper Hunter Mayor Maurice Collison says there appears to be little support for a suggestion the shire could merge with Muswellbrook Council.
Councillor Troy Stoltz has raised the idea, prompting discussions about whether an amalgamation could improve resourcing or efficiencies. But Mayor Collison says while councillors are free to bring motions forward, he has not spoken to anyone strongly backing the concept.
He said a merger would create an even larger rural council area, raising questions about how responsibilities and existing debts would be managed.
“If you go through and look at all the finances of all shires, you’ll see that most shires have got a debt,” he said.
The Mayor also warned boundary changes could just as easily see the Upper Hunter broken up and absorbed by neighbouring councils including Mid-Western Regional, Liverpool Plains, and Muswellbrook.
Mayor Collison said the proposal will be considered when it comes before council next week, but believes any such process would be lengthy and complicated.
“There’s been a lot of talk about it, and I haven’t heard anyone that’s backing it very strongly,” he said.
