FEDERAL Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce has urged Walcha residents and other interested parties to make a submission to the NSW Government’s Fit for the Future proposal to merge the Walcha Council with the Tamworth Regional Council.

Mr Joyce said he has continued to receive a great deal of feedback from members of the Walcha community who have been expressing major concerns and strong opposition to this proposal.

“The Walcha region is an area with which I have a strong personal attachment, having played rugby for Walcha, and is a community in which I have many lifelong friendships,” Mr Joyce said.

“It has been highlighted by many people within the local region that Walcha Council is in a good financial position and has a long history as a successful and committed local government organisation.

“It is important that country communities such as Walcha are supported to maintain their own identities rather than see them consolidated into larger local government regions as proposed under Fit for the Future.

“I fully support the strong community calls for the proposed amalgamation of Walcha Council with Tamworth Regional Council to be withdrawn,” he said.

Written submissions will be accepted until 5.00pm Sunday 28 February 2016 and can be submitted at https://www.councilboundaryreview.nsw.gov.au/proposals/tamworth-regional-and-walcha-councils/#submission or by mail: Council Boundary Review, GPO Box 5341, Sydney NSW 2001.