However, before advocating more amalgamation for all, or part of Palerang I would like to see a comprehensive, accurate, impartial comparison covering Palerang, Queanbeyan, Goulburn Mulwarree, Yass River, Upper Lachlan and Eurobodalla. Parameters that need to be studied, would be, but not limited to:

1.Debt

a) Against the general fund.

b) Infrastructure debt e.g. Water Fund.

2.Level of reserves e.g. Employee Leave Entitlements, Section 94 funds etc.

3.Pay Scales for Senior Staff - say by scale 1 - 5.

4.Amounts of money each council gives away e.g. Tourism, Aerodromes i.e. things other than core business.

5.Council Culture e.g. Councillors' Expenses, Council's Legal Expenses and Councillor Behaviour. (Have a look at Wingecarribbee - what a disgrace!)

6. Rating - It is imperative to know the ad valorems (cents in the dollar ), applied to all rating categories, of our neighbours and their base rates.

The advantages of amalgamation are, in my opinion, as obvious as they are many e.g. expertise and specialization  of senior staff, economies of scale and most importantly POWER. People mean

money and power, to negotiate with unions, contractors, developers and State and Federal governments.

I consider the policy of a popularly elected Mayor a disaster. All Mayors must have the confidence of the Council.

Walter Raynolds

"Maringa",

Braidwood

P.S. My favoured outcome would be an amalgamation between Upper Lachlan, Yass River, Goulburn Mulwarree and Palerang (not including Bywong,Wamboin, East Sutton and Burra Royalla ). This would be subject to the State Government immediately realizing the obvious advantages, and then allowing the Council freedom to operate into the future.

If the State Government lacks the required degree of courage, then hide behind the door with Abbott and Hockey and leave us alone.