A DELEGATION of Greater Hume councillors headed by mayor Heather Wilton were interested onlookers when its Albury counterparts debated pending local government reforms on Monday night.
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Cr Wilton was joined by her deputy Cr Doug Meyer and Cr John McInerney in the gallery as Albury Council unanimously passed a two-pronged motion that included no forced merger between the two councils.
Cr Darren Cameron, who submitted the notice of motion, last week described Greater Hume Shire as an "economic basket case".
Cr Wilton was tight-lipped about the presence of Greater Hume councillors.
Both councils are hoping to be declared "Fit for the Future" when the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal hands down its assessments next month.
Albury mayor Henk van de Ven will write to NSW Local Government minister Paul Toole and member for Albury Greg Aplin seeking an assurance the council can serve out the final 12 months of its elected term.
Cr Alice Glachan queried Cr Cameron on why the second part of his motion relating to a forced merger with Greater Hume Shire was necessary.
In reply, Cr Cameron said: "Because Cr Glachan that is the question I would like the answer to."
Cr Cameron then turned his attention to Mr Toole and the handling of the pending IPART recommendations.
"The minister has failed to rule out that the IPART report back to cabinet would not be publicly released," he said.
"If we are to be adjudged fit or not fit for the future by IPART, surely we have a right to know on what basis that accusation is made.
"If this report remains secret the many subsequent actions by the NSW Government will be a travesty of justice and process."
Newly elected deputy mayor David Thurley said he was also concerned about recent leaks.
"It hasn't even finished yet," he said.
"But there are rumours and speculation that the minister has put proposals to cabinet about mergers and forced administration."
