Amalgamation No Thank You (ANTY) spokeswoman Marj Bollinger said the meeting with Mr Gee on Friday afternoon went “very, very well”.

“He said he would present it to the house on Tuesday,” she said. “He was very receptive and supportive of what we were doing.”

Mrs Bollinger said village co-ordinators had been effective in gaining signatures.

“Molong Pharmacy was the main business, but we had it in most of the businesses in Molong, Canowindra and Borenore,” she said.

“We were hoping for that many, but in a short time, we were amazed we were able to achieve that goal and people are still asking where they can sign it.”

She said signatories included residents from Cabonne, Wellington and Orange.

Public subbmissions to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal on the Fit for the Future process closed on Friday, however Mrs Bollinger said efforts would continue.

“We’re still encouraging people to write letters to the local member and the minister [Paul Toole] and the premier [Mike Baird],” she said.

Orange was initially recommended to merge with Cabonne and Blayney - IPART will send a recommendation on their future to the state government in October.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au