WALCHA showed its true colours on the weekend, bearing red and white to declare no deal on an amalgamation with Tamworth Regional Council.
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More than 2000 residents and show visitors donned red and white – the town’s rugby colours – to show their support for the small council.
Under the Fit for the Future proposal, Walcha would merge with Tamworth, creating a mega council in the New England.
The town has fought to stand alone on social and financial principles, with hundreds of people attending a community meeting held at Walcha last month.
Among the speakers at the town’s rally in the red at Walcha Show on the weekend were Walcha mayor Janelle Archdale, Deputy Prime Minister and New England MP Barnaby Joyce, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson and Barwon MP Kevin Humphries.
The politicians joined with the crowd in singing a Save Walcha Council song to the tune of Queen’s We Are The Champions, recorded by Walcha local Joe Oppenheimer.
Save Walcha Council member and rally organiser George Spring said the town had been given a boost by having state and federal members of parliament at the event.
Mr Spring said Mr Joyce and Mr Anderson had backed Walcha to stand alone from the start but to have Mr Humphries on board was another achievement.
“He doesn’t even represent this area, but his wife is from Walcha and he wanted to support our council,” Mr Spring said.
“He’s a local ratepayer but he’s also very passionate that there should be no forced amalgamations in rural NSW.”
Petitions supporting the council to remain autonomous began circulating a month ago and more than 4000 signatures have been collected.
Mr Spring said setting up the Save Walcha Council Facebook page had made more people aware of the issue, especially those outside the council area.
He said Walcha’s financial stability should be more important than its population.
Under the guidelines for amalgamation Walcha is considered too small to stand alone as it has less than 10,000 people.
“The frustration for us is that it’s such a ridiculous proposal,” Mr Spring said.
”We’ve got nothing against Tamworth – it’s a well-run council, but this is about us maintaining our identity and our small community.
“The sense of community in Walcha is so important and at the heart of that is our council.”
Mr Spring said the NSW government should look towards Walcha council as a model for other councils.
“They should look at what our council is doing that makes the community want to support them.
“In city areas most people hate their councils, but in a rural town the council is such a big part of the community.”
