NEW federal MP Kristy McBain will not say whether she supports a demerger of Snowy Valleys Council and the re-emergence of Tumbarumba Shire.
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However the member for Eden-Monaro has empathy for Tumbarumba ratepayers upset at the way the NSW government handled the council merger in 2016.
"There needs to be self-determination by the community," Ms McBain said.
"There has been issues explained to me by the Tumbarumba community where they feel they have not been addressed and not been listened to and they're best placed to know what is best for their community."
A spokesperson for that body said submissions were still being gathered and coronavirus rules would influence when hearings were staged.
"At this stage the restrictions on public gatherings have not been lifted to an extent that would allow the public hearings to be held with the numbers of people expected to attend," the representative said.
"The Boundaries Commission intends to hold the public hearings as soon as possible after the restrictions are lifted.
"A public notice will be published on the Boundaries Commission website and in local and state newspapers notifying the public of the hearing dates and locations as well as the closing date for submissions."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Albury MP Justin Clancy has not said whether a demerger should occur, but has advocated for the amalgamation to be re-examined by the commission.
The vice-president of demerger lobby group Save Tumbarumba, Neil Hamilton, said it was important a range of issues were considered by the commission, including the financial stability of Snowy Valleys Council.
He also pointed to the summer bushfires as reason for breaking away from the Tumut-based council.
"The bushfires have provided us with dozens of examples to show that Snowy Valley Council is inappropriate for the southern part of the shire," Mr Hamilton said.
