THE majority of residents might seem stacked against amalgamation, but some living in the eastern parts of Cabonne have revived earlier efforts to become part of Orange.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Eastern Cabonne Ratepayers Association member Bill Trimmer said the group made its feelings known to the Independent Local Government Review Panel in 2013 and believed amalgamation was likely.
“Cabonne’s about the only doughnut council left in NSW,” he said.
“Our community interests are in Orange. We use the showground and the sporting facilities and it’s only reasonable that we have a say in what’s going on.”
He said rural landholders paid far higher rates in Cabonne than Orange. According to average figures published as part of Cabonne Council’s presentation to residents at Molong and Canowindra last week, the difference was about $600.
“I’ve got 90 acres, but I’m paying the same as someone with 220 acres in Orange,” he said.
“We’ve been subsidising Molong, they get water and sewerage and us farms get nothing, the condition of our roads is shocking.”
Mr Trimmer said the East Cabonne Ratepayers would have a look at the councils’ Fit for the Future proposals.
The group tried to join Orange in 2011 and collected 250 signatures on a petition, but were unsuccessful because then-local government minister Don Page wanted to see the panel’s final report first.
Residential: Orange - $1100; Cabonne - $600
Business: Orange - $5400; Cabonne - $500
Farmland: Orange - $1700; Cabonne - $2300
* Source: Cabonne Council Fit for the Future presentation
