FORMER Wakool Shire Council mayor Neil Gorey says there is still an “empty feeling” after his former council was merged with neighbouring Murray Shire earlier this month.
Mr Gorey attended the first of the new council’s two extraordinary meetings in Barham on Monday. The second meeting was held in Mathoura yesterday.
Administrator David Shaw adopted the model code of conduct for NSW councils, code of meeting practice, council delegations and determined dates, times and venues of future council meetings.
Mr Gorey was interviewed this week for a position on the Local Representation Committee, established to help ratepayers identify their new council and have their say on issues which affect them.
Positions will be appointed by Mr Shaw and comprise councillors from the former Murray and Wakool shires, who will provide input to the council’s operational plans over the next two years.
“I expect to get a seat at that table given I have had seven years on council and three years as mayor,” Mr Gorey said.
“I am looking forward to representing communities. I look around the former Wakool shire, and there is a new hospital in Barham, there is a need for development in Murray Downs, and Tooleybuc has a new bridge coming.”
Murray River Council will comprise three wards of Moama, Greater Murray and Greater Wakool and represent 11,000 ratepayers, making it one of the largest councils in the southern part of the state.
“It is still an empty feeling. It didn’t need to happen but it has happened,” Mr Gorey said.
“None of us are in a position to change it … it is time to move on.
“My only concern now is that we get the best for our community, which is getting a seat back at the table.”
Mr Gorey said that Moulamein, which provided the former shire’s admnistration base, was a community feeling “shattered”.
“As disappointing as it was, I am not going to take my bat and ball and go home. I will stay to represent my community,” he said.
Wakool and Murray shires’ budgets have also been consolidated until the end of the current financial year, with an operating result of $6800 for the year.
