AS Fit for the Future decisions loom, Armidale Express readers are divided on the prospect of amalgamation.
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A poll on the Express website last week asked readers if Uralla and Armidale Dumaresq Councils should merge with results split nearly 50:50.
Ninety-three readers had their say, with both the “yes” and “no” options fetching 49.86 per cent of the vote.
Only one voter selected the “unsure” option.
The result was no shock to deputy mayor Herman Beyersdorf, who wants to see surrounding councils work as one for the region.
“I’m not surprised,” Cr Beyersdorf said. “We tend to see ourselves as a regional centre, not just a small country town.
“Why don’t we get together to form a regional organisation?”
Uralla’s deputy mayor Bob Crouch suspected many of the voters who ticked the “yes” box were from beyond his town’s borders. “I would be very surprised if the Uralla population was split in that way,” Cr Couch said.
“We believe it suits the shire better to stand alone.”
Nevertheless, Cr Crouch said Uralla Council would be conducting community consultations in the future.
Cr Beyersdorf said one of the major concerns for Uralla residents would be representation.
“Small shires do talk about representation equity, and I understand where they come from,” he said.
“In Tamworth there are nine councillors to 60,000 people… in place like Uralla, it’s one councillor per 300.”
Uralla mayor Michael Pearce said residents and council were together on the stance to remain separate.
“We’re committed to stand alone, and the community feedback we’ve had from the date supports this,’ Cr Pearce said.
Fit for the Future reforms are set to be implemented over the next two years.