Uncertainty about the proposed council mergers in the Hunter will continue to be drawn out with local council elections possibly being pushed back to 2020 if something isn't done soon.
The office of local government has written to the four hunter councils facing amalgamation, warning them that unless mergers are finalized by August next year, they could be waiting until 2020 for an election.
New councils not created before August 2017, would not be able to hold elections before September 2019 to prevent an overlap with the 2019 state election.
The state opposition is demanding the minister for local government move urgently to determine council mergers in the Hunter to avoid a four-year wait for the next election.
Leader of the Opposition Luke Foley says democracy delayed is democracy denied.
"In Orange, constituents have demonstrated how unpopular forced mergers are. The Government needs to listen - not delay local elections," he said.
Councils that are still subject to merger proposals are being told they need to have an election date set.
The electoral commission or the local government office have not confirmed whether these councils would have elections within their existing boundaries.
Shadow Minister for Local Councils Peter Primrose is accusing the Baird government of making this up as they go along.
"The gun is still being held at the head of local councils and their local communities.
"This is just an ongoing dog's breakfast of a process. People aren't being consulted and now they're being told they may not have elections until September 2020, that is just a crazy thing in terms of local democracy
"Mike Baird can be sure that the communities that have been denied democracy will send a message come 2019," Mr. Primrose said.
A spokesperson for the Minister for Local Government, Paul Toole says "the minister is considering all proposals following the receipt of all the Delegates reports and comments from the Boundaries Commission."
NSW Premier Mike Baird was not available for comment.
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| Shadow Minister for Local Government Peter Primrose |
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| NSW Leader of the Opposition Luke Foley. |
