However at the meeting Guyra Shire Mayor Hans Hietbrink said he will continue to advocate for Guyra to stay independent and that a survey of both areas should be undertaken before any amalgamation would occur.

“We reiterated the fact that it is our intention to put a submission to the delegate that we wish to stand alone,” he said.

The two and a half hour informal discussion was held last week at Guyra Shire Council chambers and attended by both councils’ mayors, deputy majors and general managers.

It is the first in a series of sessions expected to be held fortnightly until submissions to the Boundaries Commission close. 

Armidale Dumaresq Mayor Herman Beyersdorf said while there were differences of opinion, the meeting was positive for both parties.

“Overall it was productive and constructive,” he said. 

Issues mulled included whether a new council mayor would be popularly elected, the number of councillors and a Guyra advisory body similar to the Wollomombi and Ebor town committees should there be a forced amalgamation.

Both councils expressed concern, albeit for different reasons, about an amalgamation only occurring between Guyra and Armidale.

A better option would be a merger between Armidale, Guyra and Uralla as it would allow for more regional planning, Cr Beyersdorf said. 

“We sort of agreed that the Armidale and Guyra amalgamation proposal isn’t the best possible one,” he said. 

“Guyra quite correctly sees it as possible that Armidale will swallow up Guyra … the best option in our view is to have three councils or even four councils merge.”

However before any amalgamation would take place Cr Hietbrink said he would want to see a survey of both communities as Armidale Dumaresq Council has not had a period of community consultation.

“It is essential that a survey be conducted of Guyra and Armidale,” he said. 

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall also supported the idea of a survey of ratepayers and said he would raise the issue with Minister for Local Government Paul Toole.

“I want the Boundaries Commission to actually conduct a poll of everyone in the Armidale Dumaresq and Guyra Shire Council areas,” he said.

“I think it is important that we do get an overall picture of what the communities in both council areas really think ... because so far we haven’t really seen that.

“I know the Guyra Shire community don’t want to merge but I have no idea what the people of Armidale Dumaresq Council [community] think.”

Both councils now have until February 28 to submit feedback on the merger proposal.