A MERGER of Tumbarumba with Tumut does not make financial or geographical sense, the member for Albury believes.
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Greg Aplin backed Tumbarumba Shire staying intact in a speech to the government-appointed delegate.
The Liberal MLA queried the reports which his government has relied on to recommend a merger of the shires.
"I've been through the reports and I'm not impressed by sections of the analysis on which some merged proposals are based," Mr Aplin said.
He said Tumbarumba was found to be a viable council.
"If this happens to a leading fit regional council, deemed fit now and for the future, it puts the whole program in a poor light with diminished credibility," Mr Aplin said.
He said the plan did not make geographical sense.
"Tumut's future lies to its west with Wagga Wagga … this proposal lacks the integrity of a natural drive for a merger,” Mr Aplin said.
"I support Tumbarumba Shire and its proposal to stand alone, it meets all the tests of fitness."