It is a moot point whether we would be better off staying with Bungendore or going with Goulburn. Certainly we would want nothing to do with Eurobodalla. 

Amalgamation in any direction would mean we would get the raw end of the deal without councillor representation. 

The Palerang Council should be applauded for its decision to remain as it is, rather than pursue amalgamation with Queanbeyan City. It would have been the case of out of the frying pan and into the fire, had they capitulated. 

However, I condemn the NSW Government for promoting the idea and even allocating funds for talks with Queanbeyan. To only consider the one option and not have a representative from the Braidwood side was arrogant and ignorant, even if the outcome would have been the same. 

What should be encouraged is decentralization - not centralization. The loss of a Shire and it’s employees can be devastating to a small town, with up to 50 staff affected and the flow on effects to schools and businesses etc. 

Local knowledge and experience is lost as has happened with the massive amalgamations of the old P.P. Boards. Centralizing control and management is what socialists and communists like but is alien here. 

Rate-pegging (NSW is the only State to impose it), may be popular with ratepayers but it makes it extremely difficult for councils to operate. The NSW Government should make it easier for local government to operate, not harder, so they can do their best job for them. 

If the State Government pushes amalgamations against people’s wishes, then they  will do so at their peril. They would do well to remember Jeff Kennett in Victoria. 

I still believe we would be better off running our own affairs by de-amalgamation as has happened in Victoria and Queensland.

Geoff Hassall

‘Glendaruel’