I'd hate to be a ratepayer in Cabonne seeing my rates wasted on a lost cause.

Let's be honest: there is only one possible conclusion to the amalgamations appeals. It's quite obvious the NSW Government have made sure all the boxes are ticked legally and I think Cabonne Council are being very selfish as we will all be paying their court costs after the three councils are merged.

The sky will not cave in, you will not have your swimming pools closed or other unrealistic claims. You will not lose your identity – good old Molong will still be good old Molong and good old Canowindra will still be good old Canowindra.

We know quite a few people that live in Cabonne Shire and most don't consider it a big issue, as we are led to believe by Marg Bollinger.

They're obviously quite passionate about it in Molong, but I believe they're a minority and people are tired of it all and having their rates money wasted on a done deal and just want it to end.

There are some very good examples of country amalgamations working well: Tamworth, Wagga, Dubbo and others.

The decision has been made, so please get over it an give us all a break, so this wonderful entire area can progress again.

Thank you.

I REFER to the recent announcement by Mayor John Davis regarding the 650 jobs on offer in Orange.

Will the constituents of Orange be advised as to what these jobs are and who is providing the proposed employment?

An announcement by Orange City Council of this magnitude surely warrants more information.

Is the announcement perhaps so controversial that Orange residents cannot be told or perhaps is the proposed development so unsavoury that no other council would want it? 

I’M not one for making New Year resolutions, but I enjoy a "wish list" for the coming year.

Here are some of my main personal wishes for 2017:

1. World peace. This is one that most people would wish for. 

2. More real action to avoid catastrophic climate change. In my opinion, we aren't doing nearly enough. 

3. World attention and action on the plight of the world's 24 million refugees. 

4. In Australia, more funding to help the many homeless and a real focus on housing affordability.

5. Like most people, I hope that a cure can be found for cancer and other serious illnesses.  

6. I would like to see more younger people take up regular voluntary work in their communities. With an ageing population, this is essential.

And so my list for 2017 goes on. 

MALCOLM Turnbull should stop boasting about trivial successes and start addressing the issues that affect us all. Those letting him off the hook are not his friends, nor are they acting in the interests of Australia.