Barraba Shire/Tamworth amalgamation history

Dear Editor,

A little bit of history to clear up a disparaging statement and misconceptions in comments on the Barraba Face book Page from a local person regarding the Amalgamation of the former Barraba Shire Council.

This was a forced Amalgamation and Barraba was never "thrown to the wolves"

March 2003: Minister for Local Government Tony Kelly instigated a Review of Local Govt. Boundaries

July 2003: Tony Kelly declared that local Authorities submit proposals by August 315 2003 outlining reforms for our communities

Your Councillors debated many options with surrounding Councils and submitted in depth our proposals to stand alone as a vibrant and financially viable Local Govt. Authority OR a virtual Amalgamation with our Sister City Hurstville City Council. Manilla Council declined to participate. We rejected the boundary changes identified in the Boundary Commission documents.

August 2003: Strong community members supported Barraba Councillors together with Hurstville Mayor Vince Badalati and their General Manager Howard Wallace and met with the Minister to support our submission for consideration of innovation in Local Govt.

September 2003: Minister Kelly appointed Chris Varden as an "independent" facilitator to consult with affected communities. Over 100 Barraba residents attended the "Public Consultation" meeting.

December 2003: Chris Varden recommendation to the minister was for a single local Authority encompassing Tamworth-Parry-Nundle-Manilla and the southern side of Barraba with the northern end to merge with Gwydir.

Feb 2004: Local Govt. Boundaries Commission Enquiry chaired by Edith Hall in Armidale -- We represented our community powerfully with objection to the Varden Report. Our objection was also sent to the Governor of NSW Marie Bashir. Community concerns were dismissed as "prejudice and parochial concerns" rather than a vision for the future.

Sunday 14" March 2004 Minister Tony Kelly sent an email to each Council. Under "Compulsory NSW Govt. Reform Program" he dissolved the five Councils. He appointed James Treloar (Tamworth Mayor) as the Administrator for the new Government entity.

I voluntarily attended his meetings to ensure the protection of the Barraba Staff and the continued drive for our water security from Split Rock Dam until the 25" Sept 2004 election of the new TRC.

Did the people of Barraba get "shafted"? Yes! Your own Local Council did not "sell you out"! All of this information and documentation is with the Barraba Historical Society Museum.

The social and economic effects of the FORCED amalgamation have had a huge impact and not improved the local circumstance BUT Barraba has always been resilient -- Good people showing leadership in many fields and activities. A strong community built on connection and support and the choice to stand together.

BARRABA WILL ALWAYS BE THE "JEWEL IN THE CROWN"

Kind regards, Shirley Close