“I am so proud that the NSW Government has delivered on its promise of funding the shortfall in costs that were identified by the Hilltops Council following its successful formation,” Ms Cooke said.

“This announcement is a testament to all of those, both in Hilltops Council and the NSW Government, who have worked so very hard to deliver this.

“The merger of the councils was a situation which I inherited, but one which I vowed to deliver for.”

Ms Cooke said fixing the transitional funding shortfall was something worth fighting for.

“I would like to thank Hilltops Council for their patience, collaboration and importantly for their trust that I would not let this important issue lay until we reached this outcome,” she said.

“I felt that bureaucrats did not understand the logistics and geography of the Hilltops and what was required to merge rural councils. They’d allocated $10 million for metro councils and only $5 for rural ones. I was determined to make sure that people in the country, in my electorate, were treated equally if not better than those in the city facing a similar situation. 

“It is also important to acknowledge Councillor Wendy Tuckerman who as the council’s administrator first brought this issue to the attention of the government.”

Cr Tuckerman said the funding was vindication for the accounting of the administration period.

“It was obvious to me during the administration period the funds were short to be able to complete the merger successfully, and I acknowledge Steph Cooke for working so hard to make this happen,” she said.

Mayor Brian Ingram said he was relieved the funding had been delivered.

“This is a great result,” he said. “It’s due to a tremendous amount of hard work from the Hilltops Council, our local Member Steph Cooke, and Deputy Premier, John Barilaro.”