Mr Munro said he thought very hard before taking on such an active roll in the lobby group at Thursday night’s anti-amalgamation meeting, initiated by the Molong Action Group.

“[However] I thought if anyone can give an honest overview and quell the fear and anxiety of people then I should be able to do that,” he said.

Mr Munro, who lives in Cabonne on a property between Baldry and Cumnock also owns five houses and a business in Orange.

He did not believe taking on the role of ANTY steering committee Baldry co-ordinator presented a conflict of interest and said he had strong ties to both Cabonne and Orange, and wanted what was best for both communities.

“I’m in a unique position,” he said.

“I was a non-residential candidate (in the Orange council elections) and I’ve been open about that, it’s a matter of being up-front and honest.”

Mr Munro said it did not make sense to merge the two councils.

“I do agree with amalgamations for some councils, specifically city-based councils in Sydney,” he said.

“With these particular councils, they’re vibrant in their own way and economically viable.

“The two councils feed off each other as far as economic prosperity.”

Mr Munro said there was no business case to merge the councils.

“It would just cost us money to amalgamate and the end result would be a negative or a slight gain over 10 years,” he said.

“It’s not worth the risk of the cost involved.”

However, Mr Munro said no matter what he thought, the decision to amalgamate would be left up to the state government.

“I empathise with the task at hand for [member for Orange] Andrew Gee. He’ll be the one who has to give us the good or bad news,” he said.

Mr Munro said if the councils did merge it would not be all bad news for Cabonne.

“The passion I saw out there at the meeting gives me confidence to say Cabonne will get a ticket together for the next elections and make sure they have some good representatives on council,” he said.

tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au