The re-distribution would see the seat of Gwydir completely removed, and merged with the current seat of Parkes and a marked reduction of Country representation in the Federal Parliament.

It would also see over half of the seat of Calare altered, with the towns of Lithgow, Oberon & Bathurst removed and replaced with Mudgee, Gulgong, Parkes, Forbes and Grenfell - a change of almost 20,000 new constituents.

Lengthy discussion took place at the Council meeting this week and there was an overwhelming feeling that Country people are being dealt with yet another unnecessary blow.

The Director of Finance & Corporate Services said that he was aware that there appears to be ways to avoid the Country seat re-distribution.

He said that he was aware that Calare's Local Member, Peter Andren has made numerous submissions to the Redistribution Committee which comprehensively detail the redrawing of the 25 non-metropolitan Sydney seats without the loss of any of the 7 Country seats west of the Great Dividing Range.

The Director said "The proposed redistribution is a great blow to Country people and one that further separates City and Country people and their democratic right to have fair and equal representation in Parliament"

Mr Harding concluded by saying that Council encourages each and every rate payer to lodge its objection to the redistribution proposal with the Redistribution Committee by the closing date of 28 July 2006 at 6pm.

Address correspondence to:

Redistribution Committee for NSW, PO Box 20014, World Square, NSW 2002 or fax to 02 9212 2208 or email to nswredistribution@aec.nsw.gov.au< p>