It has been put as an alternative to the NSW Government's plan to break up Jerilderie Shire along the Yanco Creek and have its south go to Berrigan Shire and the north join Murrumbidgee.

Jerilderie mayor Ruth McRae last week oversaw two meetings on the proposal that drew 200 people.

“Residents at both information sessions showed interest in hearing the details of our proposed full merger, which shows increased scale and capacity with an absence of staff disruption," Cr McRae said. 

"We were encouraged by both the consideration and input of attendees and very pleased to receive their feedback."

Cr McRae said economies of scale in a Jerilderie-Murrumbidgee merger were not in the existing Fit for the Future plan.

“Whereas the current Government merger proposal would make the expanded Murrumbidgee Shire the smallest Council in the state, our concept would lift us to become the eighth smallest among other many benefits,” Cr McRae said. 

Jerilderie Council general manager Craig Moffitt echoed Cr McRae's comments on cross-council benefits. 

“Among the many benefits outlined, we feel the ‘whole’ merger concept supports Jerilderie’s successful engineering enterprise, which will enhance activities in the proposed merged council, particularly the prospects of expanding contracting work for the state government on main roads,” Mr Moffitt said. 

“This will not only strengthen the Jerilderie township, it will provide expansion in Darlington Point and Coleambally as the activity grows.

"Additionally, our proposal acknowledges the strength of Darlington Point as the administration centre for the new shire."

Public meetings on the NSW Government's proposal for Jerilderie and Berrigan will be held this Wednesday.

They are at the Berrigan War Memorial Hall from 9am to 11am and Jerilderie Sports Club from 2pm to 4pm.

The meetings come after forums were held at Corowa, Urana and Lockhart last Thursday to discuss the proposed three-way merger of those towns’ three councils.

The Lockhart gathering drew 328 with 40 speakers against the plan to have a three-way merger.

They included resident Jean Gooden who said the lack of links between Lockhart and Corowa was exemplified by public transport ties between the towns.

“It would take me two days, three hours and 10 minutes to make the journey using public transport, if it was all running on time,” Mrs Gooden said.

That route would be via Wagga and Albury.

The meeting was attended by former member for Farrer Tim Fischer and Wagga MP Daryl Maguire, who have opposed the amalgamation.