Despite statements that it has been “going on for too long”, the truth is that some aspects have never been aired or considered.

That is what the council voted to do.

If it takes longer to determine the best course of action, that would be preferable to an unwise decision.

One aspect is the difference in rates, with Dungog having been kept at a comparatively low level.  No matter whether a merger takes place or not, those rates must rise!

Many ignore the reality of climate change and rising water levels in coastal regions. It is a scientific fact that coastal areas will be affected by rising waters.

A 2009 federal government report identified Port Stephens and Sutherland Shires as having the most residential buildings on “soft erodible” coastal land. That will create a massive future financial burden.

There are no “Main Roads” here, despite the fact that at least three should be re-classified, to achieve extra ongoing funding.

The elected council has not caused some problems I hear being grumped about – potholes and bridges for instance. Potholes exist even in Port Stephens.  The reason being high rainfall and frequency of flooding in recent years.

Dungog has many bridges because of the geography of the district. Many old historic bridges are wearing out.  Some suffered flood damage and one washed away.

The fact that the council does not have adequate funding to immediately fix them cannot be blamed on this council.

 If people think Port Stephens employs a magic fairy to sprinkle bridge repair dust they are dreaming.

Whether linked to Maitland or Port Stephens the broken down bridges will not vanish and will need an injection of funding.

The  2015 flood caused a massive headache for this community. While some government assistance flowed, there is still a huge bill to cover.

It is to the credit of this council, which I stress was elected by us, that they chose to buy properties where private homes were washed away. 

That is the sort of community council we have here. All kinds of caring programs are here that just don’t happen in some larger council areas.

I cannot list all the positive things Dungog Shire Council has done but I will remind people they need to think carefully before chucking the baby out with the bathwater.  

I write to condemn Dungog Council for its latest puerile behaviour at the meeting of May 16.

How many more public meetings are the majority of the councillors going to ignore? 

I have attended several where the tenor of the meeting was clearly against their behaviour with speaker after speaker rising to support a merger. 

Yes, there have been supporters of stand alone but two or three versus 20 to 30 is surely telling. Where are the phantom residents in favour of stand alone? Clearly there are very few. 

The meeting was, in my opinion, an abrogation of Council’s responsibility. What should have been a sensible progression to a sensible future is again in tatters. 

As to Cr Norman’s backflip, I believe it almost certainly ensures that the Council will be sacked and the matter taken totally out of the hands of our elected representatives and the people. 

In my opinion, only Councillors Wall and Farrow have come out of this with any credibility. The Mayor’s recent conversion for me is too late for credit though I congratulate him for it.

The remaining councilors should hang their heads in shame as their procrastination has cost Dungog valuable dollars and will, as has been evident for years, achieve nothing.