We don’t want merger: Wakool

COMMUNITIES in Wakool Shire’s north-west corner vehemently oppose the proposed merger with Murray Shire, saying they share more in common with Balranald than the council to the south-east.

Wakool Shire Council held community gatherings at Murray Downs, Tooleybuc, Barham and Moulamein last week, to inform community members about the merger proposal ahead of the Office of Local Government’s public inquiry in Barham tomorrow.

The meetings attracted over 400 attendees.

Mayor Neil Gorey said the majority of community members at the meetings were astonished the merger proposal had even been suggested.

“We put the facts out there and it was pleasing to know that a lot of people turned up and gave us their support,” Cr Gorey said.

“We can go forward knowing that we have the whole of the community behind us.”

However, it was at the meetings in the shire’s A Ward — the closest one to Swan Hill — where people were particularly incredulous with the proposal.

Koraleigh resident Ron Hoare attended the Tooleybuc gathering last Tuesday night and said he wasn’t aware of anyone who was “the slightest bit interested in the merger with Murray Shire at all”.

For more on this story, grab a copy of Monday’s Guardian (February 8).