Elected councillors have already been dismissed and government-appointed administrators have been installed.

Premier Mike Baird announced the controversial proposed amalgamation of Cootamundra and Gundagai has gone ahead and the new merged entity will be known simply as Gundagai. 

Former Gundagai mayor Abb McAlister, who lost his job at lunchtime on Monday, slammed the decision as a “politically motivated load of garbage”. 

“This was a predetermined decision for sure,” Mr McAlister said.

“This government said they'd listen to the community, well that was the greatest load of garbage they've ever sung out.

“I'm devastated for our community, who were all so strong and unanimous they wanted to stand alone.

“I’ve had calls from a lot of totally devastated locals that feel totally let down by state government.”

Mr McAlister was in Sydney for a meeting with local government minister Paul Toole – where he planned to plead Gundagai’s case – but the meeting was cancelled. 

Former federal president of the National Party Christine Ferguson has been appointed the sole administrator of the new Gundagai Council.

Jerilderie and Murrumbidgee have become Murumbidgee Council; Boorowa, Harden and Young have become Hilltops Council; Tumut and Tumbarumba will become Snowy Valleys Council; Corowa and Urana have become Federation Council; Conargo and Deniliquin have become Edward River Council.

Current mayors Ashley Hall, Wendy Tuckerman and Austin Evans will take charge of Edward River, Hilltops and Murrumbidgee councils respectively and Albury-based lawyer Mike Eden has been tapped on the shoulder to run Federation Council.

Each of the new councils will not hold their elections until September next year, six months later than previously thought and a full 12 months later than those not being merged.

Riverina MP Michael McCormack, who was on the election campaign trail in Gundagai on Thursday, said he keenly felt the community’s disappointment. 

“I said right from the outset those councils wanting to remain independent and were financially able to do so; they should have been allowed to remain autonomous,” Mr McCormack said.

“I'm disappointed with the outcome of some of the mergers. 

“But I am very happy for Lockhart, a great little council run by great people, who are obviously elated and should be.”

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