He said in some form or another councils - including Wagga, Coolamon and Junee - would be forced into a position where they had to merge or significantly share resources to remain viable.

"If we don't do it ourselves ... then (the state government) will do it for us, no doubt about that, and in the next five years," Cr Geale said.

Councillor Geale was Wagga City Council's representative at the landmark Destination 2036 conference in Dubbo last week which saw every council in the state represented, along with Minister for Local Government Don Page. Council leaders have traditionally been fiercely opposed to amalgamation talks as they feel being absorbed into a larger body would damage local representation.

Junee mayor Lola Cummins also attended the Dubbo conference and said the threat of amalgamation overshadowed the entire conference.

"It was definitely the elephant in the room, there's no getting away from that," she said.

Mr Page told the conference there would be no state-imposed amalgamations, but his assurances were met with scepticism from Riverina leaders.

Especially as he advocated increased sharing of resources between councils and a new "variety of models for local government".

"It is clear that if we do not seek to improve and modernise local government, then there will be communities that are 'haves' and 'have-nots', in terms of the number and quality of services delivered to ratepayers," Mr Page said.

Coolamon deputy mayor John Seymour accepted the underlying motive of the state government was amalgamation - even if it wasn't openly admitted.

"You really think that somewhere in their agenda there is (a push towards amalgamation)," he said.