Scot MacDonald MLC says in the short time since news was made public about Armidale and Guyra’s merger, he has received three calls from people in favour of the decision.

He said he spoke to an Armidale Dumaresq councillor, a city businessman and a lady from Guyra, who were all in favour of the merge.

But the Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast has also spoken to Guyra Mayor Hans Hietbrink after he said Mr MacDonald was “persona non grata” for not supporting the shire’s stand alone stance.

Mr MacDonald said it was a “frank” conversation.

“Hans has been the only one against it, I’ve got to say,” Mr MacDonald said.

“I think I’ve been very clear about my reasons and the reasons still stand.

“I think we will bring a strong community together with better services and more opportunity for future generations.”

Cr Hietbrink’s comments came after Mr MacDonald’s Twitter account leaked a media release indicating the two shires were to be merged.

Mr MacDonald said he had no comment to make about his Tweeting of the release, which has since been deleted from his account.

“It’s about looking forward and how we make this work,” he said.

“I think it’s a tremendously exciting opportunity, I really do.”