Initial community information meetings conducted jointly by Tamworth Regional Council and Walcha Council in Woolbrook and Niangala this week have indicated the majority of both villages' residents want to live within the Walcha Local Government Area boundary.
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The issue of changing boundaries has been around since 2003 for Niangala when a local resident submitted a petition for change to Walcha Council, and even longer for Woolbrook.
It was raised again by residents at Walcha Council's annual regional community meetings last November.
This week more than 40 people attended each meeting, which equates to approximately one-third of Niangala's population, and about 20 percent of Woolbrooks.
"Both meetings went very well, and the key message that both Walcha Council and Tamworth Regional Council had for the community was that it wasn't a change driven by either council - we wanted to check in with the community to see if they wanted the change," Walcha Council general manager Anne Modderno said.
"I'm pleased to report that in Niangala there was a majority consensus and at Woolbrook everyone in the room wanted the change and we will now begin the formal process."
the key message that both Walcha Council and Tamworth Regional Council had for the community was that it wasn't a change driven by either council
- Walcha Council general manager Anne Modderno
Both council general managers will now present a report to their respective council's March ordinary meeting seeking a resolution to commence formal proceedings.
If formal proceedings begin, both councils will share detailed data with their ratepayers around potential changes to services and fees before any final proposals are made to make the boundary changes.
The critical factor to how long that process will take is how significant a majority want the change said Ms Modderno.
"There's a good three to four months of formal consultation process in accordance with legislation that we have to do after councils resolve to commence, and then we put the submission into the hands of the Minister for Local Government," she said.
"If there is a resounding consensus from both communities, and if it is what we want and the assessment of the dollars and the impact is all acceptable - then that has the best chance of getting through quickly.
"If there is any division or split opinion then it will be referred to the Boundaries Commission, and that could take 12 months plus."
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