Hilltops Council mayor Brian Ingram has demanded answers from the NSW State Government and the head of the NSW Rural Fire Service on rumours the headquarters in Young will be relocated.
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Three weeks ago Mr Ingram heard rumblings about the possible relocation of the NSW Rural Fire Service Region West Headquarters currently in Young to Dubbo.
"I contacted Steph Cooke straight away and asked if she could look into it," Cr Ingram said.
"She spoke to the minister and when she got back to me she said she couldn't say anything."
Cr Ingram said he also attempted on five occasions, by phone and in writing, to contact NSW deputy premier John Barilaro.
"The lack of response is unacceptable," Cr Ingram said. "There have been conversations where it has been said no jobs will be lost, but why take 10 jobs from Young? It is political bastardy at its best."
Cr Ingram believes the possible relocation will be a huge loss to the local community.
"The lack of communication with Local Government is disappointing. I can't get a response," Cr Ingram said.
Cr Ingram said he had received reassurance that the new RFS Fire Control Centre being built in Harden was to go ahead after Hilltops Council had committed $1.2 million to the project.
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Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said she would do what she could to ensure a minimal impact on local families with the reshuffle.
"I am watching this situation closely as I am determined to ensure that any changes have a minimal impact on staff and their families at Young," Ms Cooke said.
According to Ms Cooke any of the staff from the Young office are more than welcome to contact her in regards to the proposed changes.
"Feedback is such an important part of any change process and I would encourage any staff from the Young office to contact me so that I can make sure their views are heard.
"It's vital that we keep jobs in our regional and rural communities, not lose them to larger regional centres, and I will be pushing as hard as I can at the highest levels to speak up for the communities of the Cootamundra electorate."
A spokesperson from the NSW Rural Fire Service confirmed there will be a change in the structure of the current RFS areas, but no comment was made on the likelihood of the Young office relocating.
"The NSW Rural Fire Service has a proposed Eight-Area model structure, that is intended to replace the current four regions," the spokesperson for NSW RFS said.
"While the locations in the proposal are yet to be determined, it will see no change to the structure or location of Districts.
The RFS spokesperson said the proposal is currently being opened to its employees for consultation.
"The proposal involves placing around 30 new positions in regional NSW and does not intend to reduce the overall number of positions across the state."
However there was no mention of the Young head quarters and what could potentially happen if the restructure does happen.
The Young Witness reached out to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, David Elliot but had not received a response at the time of going to print.
