A series of community meetings have been arranged throughout the shire for residents to hear more about the merger, the options being considered and share their thoughts.

Council will also be distributing a newsletter which provides an overview of the process so far and the summaries of the four scenarios which include maintaining the status quo of the council, a merger of Boorowa, Harden and Young councils to become a Hilltops Council, incorporating other communities of interest and maintaining the existing councils with a different administrative/managerial structure.

This information is being gathered prior to the delivery of the final submission by council to the state government in June.

Young Shire Council general manager Peter Vlatko said many members of the community were aware the council had engaged a consultant to provide a report on the different scenarios for the future of the council. 

“The research has been done and now we need the community’s input,” he said.

“This is your shire, your council and we want you to have a say in its future. We want to hear your questions, your ideas and your concerns.”

The consultant’s report - known as the Hilltops Report - is available online at www.young.nsw.gov.au.

Printed copies will also be available at the council offices at the town hall and the Library.

While considering the potential future options, Young Shire Council is also tasked with preparing its “Fit for the Future” report, which is the state government’s blueprint for the future of local government. 

It outlines benchmarks for performance and funding levels for those councils that opt to merge. 

An $11m incentive would be provided to a Hilltops Council should the merger take place.

The “Fit for the Future” report is due to the Government by June 30, 2015 and will include the council’s decision on whether or not a merger will occur.

More information on Fit for the Future http://www.fitforthefuture.nsw.gov.au/