Amalgamation has become the buzz word of Local Government as councils are told they must investigate their options joining surrounding councils to decrease the 152 LGAs which currently exist in NSW.

Harden Shire has gained the attention of both a potential Cootamundra/Harden merger and Young/Boorowa Harden amalgamation. 

Cootamundra mayor Jim Slattery has put his hand up to state his preferred preference of the five councils surrounding Cootamundra is Harden. 

In Young this week, Young general manager Peter Vlatko talked those gathered through what options lay ahead, pointing to a possible merger involving Harden. 

Meetings will continue as the June 30 deadline to make a choice looms.