The signatures collected on an anti-amalgamation petition circulating throughout Cabonne during July have been presented to Andrew Gee’s office by Amalgamation No Thank You (ANTY) Spokesperson Marj Bollinger. “It went very well,” said Marj. “Mr Gee was very welcome and receptive towards our cause and said he would present the signatures to the Legislative Assembly,” the Lower House of the State Government.
“We are extremely grateful to Mr Gee for his support in light of the strong opposition being faced from his Premier Mike Baird and Local Government Minister Paul Toole,” Marj said. It has been less than two months since a
public meeting in Molong resolved to form ANTY, and since then over 2000 people have signed petitions rejecting the NSW Government’s proposed amalgamation of Cabonne and Orange City Councils.
“Late this afternoon, I was pleased to welcome members of the Cabonne Anti-
Amalgamation Group to my office to receive a petition signed by around 2,600 residents opposing a merger between Cabonne and Orange City Councils,” a statement from Andrew Gee said. “I will table the petition in the Legislative Assembly when Parliament resumes.” “Huge credit must go to the relatively small ANTY Steering Committee and Village Co-Ordinators who have managed to get forms out and around the vast area of Cabonne in such a short space of time,” Marj said. “But most of all the credit must go to the citizens
of Cabonne and beyond who have been prepared to show their support.”
“It has been a mighty effort from all concerned and we haven’t given up yet with submissions going in to IPART and letters written to Members of Parliament continuing.” The petition was drawn up by members of the ANTY group and made available at numerous business throughout Canowindra
and across Cabonne. The Chamber updated its website recently with draft and sample letters and information for any resident who wishes to write to their
Government representatives with an objection to local government amalgamations.