During a visit to the region in recent weeks, NSW Opposition Leader Peter Primrose said if Labor won the next state election, it would allow councils that are dissatisfied with forced amalgamations to demerge.

While the likelihood and logistics of such a move remain questionable, Bombala Times readers jumped at the idea. When we asked, if given the opportunity, whether they’d like to see the Snowy Monaro Regional Council demerged, readers responded with a resounding “yes”.

Specific projects or issues were only hinted at, with responses on social media more along the lines of a general feeling of disenfranchisement and the former Bombala council region no longer getting its fair share under the Cooma-based administration.

Jenni Moreing said there were “many things wrong with this so-called council”.

“First and foremost this administration should not be making any decisions involving the future council as they have not faced the electorate to give them a mandate.

“The even greater injustice is when we do elect councillors, Bombala won’t even get the opportunity to have representatives because even if every person in the Bombala district votes for one candidate we don’t have enough numbers to elect someone.

“This is their idea of progress. More like slowly strangling the life out of our country areas,” she said.

Gary Thoms also called for demerging “and give back what has been taken”.

However, he was countered by Davey Ricketts who said, “Taken? Bombala got a third of the major projects fund and has a tenth of the regional population. Bombala is already taking more than a fair share from the region.”

Allen Simpson lamented that, “sadly there is little chance the merger would be overturned and control of our council handed back to the people of Bombala…we had our chance and we let it get away.”

Meanwhile, Country Labor candidate for Monaro Bryce Wilson wrote to the Times this week, saying he had residents telling him they are unhappy with decisions by administrators. Read his full letter here.