It’s welcome news for the Guyra ANTY group who believe the move brings Guyra one step closer to regaining its stand alone status.

“We’re very pleased democracy has won and common sense has won,” spokesperson Gordon Youman told The Argus on Thursday afternoon.

“We’ll continue to pursue to demerge Guyra and Armidale.”

Local Government NSW also applauded the announcement from the Premier and Minister Gabrielle Upton that the Government has abandoned the forced amalgamation of 14 metropolitan councils. 

“It is a great day for local democracy and we commend this eminently sensible decision,” LGNSW President Keith Rhoades said.

“Premier Gladys Berejiklian has really listened to the people.”

Mr Rhoades said the Premier had inherited a difficult situation.

“LGNSW has always supported reform, and this decision gives us the opportunity to get on with the job,” he said.

“We need to address the very real financial sustainability issues councils face - fixing the rating system, ending cost-shifting and getting a better share of tax revenue to support the local services communities depend on every day.

“We remain keen to work in partnership with the Government and today’s announcement gives us a solid foundation to move forward.”

Mr Rhoades noted that 20 councils had already been forcibly amalgamated.

He said the communities would have the opportunity to have their say at council elections in September this year.