ALBURY MP Justin Clancy has declined to say if he will fight a decision to not split Snowy Valleys Council and allow Tumbarumba Shire to be reborn.
Three out of four members supported a break-up "notwithstanding the financial challenges" a fresh Tumbarumba Shire would face.
The decision was driven by the "breadth and depth of the resentment felt by so many in Tumbarumba to the 2016 merger" decision of the state government.
But Ms Hancock said because there was not a "clear consensus" she was not approving a Snowy Valleys split or a demerger of Cootamundra-Gundagai Council.
Independent member for Wagga Joe McGirr, whose seat includes the former Tumut Shire, has texted and written to Premier Gladys Berejiklian requesting she overturn Ms Hancock's decision which he believes undermines the commission.
"I think this is a Liberal Party decision, that's what I'm hearing and that's why I made the point it looks like the city kicking the country," Dr McGirr said.
Nationals MPs are unhappy with the moves with Riverina Upper House member Wes Fang and member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke believing they were wrong and wanting them reviewed.
But Mr Clancy appears unlikely to contest the move of fellow Liberal MP Ms Hancock who is based at Nowra.
"The fact there was a majority and minority report I would have hoped the determination reflected that," Mr Clancy said.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"At the end of the day the minister has announced her reasons why she cannot reach that determination."
However, Mr Clancy, whose electorate covers the former Tumbarumba Shire, pointed to a lack of comprehension of the impact of the merger.
"Any change to councils in country areas is traumatic and that is not something readily recognised from the capitals," he said.
"It was difficult for the communities of Greater Hume, as it is now for the communities of Snowy Valleys."
Mr Clancy said he had reflected the dismay in Tumbarumba to Ms Hancock and wrote to her last week.
"In this letter, I wrote of 'the continuing strong expression of disappointment bordering on disillusionment with how they perceive their community is being treated by the NSW Government'," he said.
Save Tumbarumba Shire believed Ms Hancock showed "utter contempt" for the area with her decision.
The secretary of the lobby group Doug Gee was upset at Ms Hancock's ignoring the bulk of Local Government Boundaries Commission members who advised her to approve a break-up.
"We're absolutely appalled and disgusted at the minister's handling of this," Mr Gee said.
"The fact the minister had not formally advised Save Tumbarumba Shire of her decision shows what utter contempt she has for people in this community."
Ms Hancock declined to respond to Mr Gee's comment.
Mr Gee said there was still hope Snowy Valleys Council could petition the minister for a break-up, given recent legislative changes, but it would depend on its make-up of the after September's municipal election.
The only Tumbrumba-based councillor Bruce Wright is retiring at the poll, saying his mental health had suffered through the demerger debate.
"I've worked as hard as I could but obviously not as hard as I could for some people," he said.
"You get a fair bit of flak."
Mr Clancy was saddened by Cr Wright's situation and the division within the town.
Tumbarumba Turf Club secretary Gordon Kelso is the only local to have announced a council candidacy.
He works as maintenance manager at the Tumut saw mill and says splitting his time across the shire has influenced his attitude towards a demerger.
"It's a tough one but at the moment I'm quite neutral because I work and play in both areas," Mr Kelso said.
Mr Clancy urged locals to support their council candidates while Dr McGirr said they should not snub the poll process.
"There's a lot to stand for and I'd encourage the community to participate in the election," Dr McGirr said.
