A small community forum was attend by about 30 residents on Wednesday night, where they heard from Break O’Day mayor Mick Tucker and general manager John Brown about their boundary change proposal.

Ms Alexander said most the residents of Coles Bay and Bicheno, which is located in the Glamorgan Spring Bay municipality, were eager to see Break O’Day take over the area.

“Break O’Day has capacity to service the area, they get a lot done in St Helens, St Marys and Scamander and they are passionate about the area,” she said. 

“We have the same things in common, we’re tourism based, and they have a good relationship with National Parks which is helpful.”

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While residents were aware that amalgamations to the south might not got forward, they are keen for the council to agree to the Local Government Board Review process.

“We are really keen for Glamorgan Spring Bay to continue to look into it further, and to see if it’s viable, which will then allow Break O’Day to put their option on the table,” Ms Alexander said.

The goal for the group now is to collect 300 signatures for a petition drawn up by the Bicheno Community Development Association, calling on the councillors to vote to continue the process.

Glamorgan Spring Bay mayor Michael Kent was the only councillor to vote against deferring the motion about the amalgamation process at the council’s special meeting on January 9.

“What the seven other councillors are wanting is answers to all their questions, prior to the board from the government doing the work to answers the questions, and that’s where the difficulties lie,” he said.

“It is voluntary amalgamations, not stand over the top of you and making you amalgamate.”