Just one day after Mike Baird resigned as premier, NSW Nationals leader John Barilaro on Friday vowed to bring an end to those local government mergers yet to be signed off on due to legal disputes.

While the pledge doesn’t extend to the 13 Riverina councils already forcibly merged, Mr Barilaro hinted he would wind back amalgamations right throughout the bush. 

“My stance made today regarding council amalgamations applies to those regional councils that are in court process or otherwise delayed,” he said. 

“As for already merged councils, at this stage there is no change, but there will be more to be said about that in the weeks ahead.”

Mr Barilaro – who rose to Nationals leader in November following the party’s first loss in the safe seat of Orange for 70 years – has warned the Liberals the Coalition agreement resets with the new Premier.

Forced council mergers was a key reason the Nationals were resoundingly beaten by the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party.

Deposed Gundagai council mayor Abb McAlister dubbed the announcement “the most positive news I've heard since May 12 last year” when he was chucked out of office to make way for a government-appointed administrator. 

“Baird was a dictator; he ruled the roost with an iron fist and Nationals MPs weren’t game to go against him,” Mr McAlister said.

“Now Baird’s gone, they can work as a team in the best interests of their constituents.

“We're only eight months into the merger, so the best thing would be to demerge now, before any more money is wasted.”

Mr McAlister and former deputy mayor David Graham were lumped with a bill worth more than $90,000 after the new administrator pulled funding for a failed court battle against the government. 

Tumbarumba businesswoman Lucy Henderson hoped the announcement heralded a return to local democracy.

“Baird's resignation has been bloody beautiful; it’s created an opportunity to right an injustice thrust upon us,” she said.

“It’s great Barilaro has ruled out any more amalgamations, but they need to reverse mergers that have already gone through.”