Queanbeyan and Palerang's council merge will remain despite Nationals leader and deputy premier John Barilaro's pledge to put an end to the state-wide amalgamations.
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In a press conference on Friday, the member for Monaro vowed "to put an end to the local government mergers in the bush".
The controversial forced amalgamations policy was driven by Mr Baird and endorsed by the cabinet, despite widespread opposition.
"The policy of local government amalgamations has impacted 20 councils, 12 of which are in regional NSW, causing uncertainty and anger, and others are locked in costly legal action - that all stops today," Mr Barilaro said.
Mr Barilaro's stance against the merging of councils is directed at regional areas that have not yet proceeded.
These include the proposed mergers of Armidale Dumaresq and Guyra with Uralla and Walcha; Bathurst's merger with Oberon; Blayney's with Cabonne and Orange, and Dungog's merger with Maitland, Mr Barilaro's office said.
But it does not affect Shellharbour's merger with Wollongong, or the merger of Newcastle and Port Stephens, except insomuch as Dungog crosses Port Stephens' boundaries.
The deputy premier made no reference to the numerous council amalgamations taking place in Sydney.
The Queanbeyan and Palerang councils merged almost a year ago to widespread criticism, particularly from those in the regional council who were concerned they would have less representation than the more populated Queanbeyan.
Opposition Leader Luke Foley dismissed Mr Barilaro's call as "a search for relevance".
"What does that mean?" Mr Foley asked. "Will he do the right thing and unwind the forced mergers that have already been implemented in regional NSW? Will there be one policy for the regions and one policy for the suburbs of Sydney [and the rest of NSW]?"
Mr Foley suggested Mr Barilaro's statement was "a bit orchestrated".
"He'll huff and puff and demand something and [Gladys Berejiklian will] give it to him so he can say he's delivering for the people in the bush they've abandoned in the past few years."
Mr Barilaro cited the change of leadership as a chance for his party to be proactive in ensuring a new arrangement in the coalition.
Amidst the reshuffle he has been discussed as a possible replacement for the Minister of Industry and said with negotiations set to begin next week, "everything is on the table".
"Jobs, skilling young people, and small business are areas of passion of mine," Mr Barilaro said.
"First and foremost I'm the member for Monaro before I'm the deputy premier and well before I'm a minister of any portfolio and I always look through the local member perspective of what is best for our community."
- with Sean Nicholls and Jacob Saulwick
