For the new seat of Cootamundra, Nationals candidate Katrina Hodgkinson and Country Labor candidate Charlie Sheahan have not minced words when it comes to their respective party’s stance on the issue.

“The Nationals’ plan to merge local councils in our region would cost ratepayers $48 million,” Mr Sheahan said.

“Almost half of these costs will be changes to IT and communications systems – money which could be better spent improving local roads and sporting grounds.”

The cost for Harden Shire Council is estimated at around $10 million.

Labor contends the statewide cost would be $258 million and says this has not been accounted for in the Nationals’ proposed budget.

Labor shadow minister for Local Government Sophie Cotsis says NSW Labor has “ruled out" forced mergers and “will stand up to Tony Abbott, who cut $288 million worth of funding for roads and services from NSW councils in his first budget.”

Ms Hodgkinson believes though that Labor, if elected, won’t stand by this promise.

“You cannot trust Labor with a no-forced amalgamation policy – just look at what they did in 2003,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“Within two months of the Carr Labor government being returned to office, Labor abandoned its long-held policy of no forced amalgamations. 

“Within one year, council mergers were imposed across the state.”

She believes the ‘no forced amalgamations’ promise is an excuse to avoid discussion of sensible options, labelling it a “tired old debate”.

“This latest scare mongering from the Labor candidate shows just how ignorant he is,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“State and local governments must find much more productive ways of working together to make better use of scarce resources.”