On Thursday Cabonne Council found itself faced with an extra day of legal and accommodation bills when the two-day hearing in the Land and Environment Court to block the merger with Orange and Blayney Councils was extended over three days.

“We have three legal people working for cost for us, but the other side has nine on their legal team,” Mr Gosper said.

“Our limit is $50,000 to spend on the case, but we have had indications of substantial pledges from members of the community to help fund our case.”

A Cabonne Council spokesperson said yesterday the council may have to seek advice from its legal team as there is the possibility of the court case being adjourned to another date as the judge presiding in the case may not be able to conduct the remainder of the hearing this week.

Cr Gosper announced earlier in the week if the decision in the Land and Environment Court went against Cabonne, the council would lodge an appeal that could cost up to $150,000.

“We will have to discuss all the latest developments at our next council meeting ,” Mr Gosper said.

Mr Gosper said Walcha council officially withdrew from the court action this week.

“That leaves Cabonne, Oberon and Gundagai to fight on with this,” he said.

Mr Gosper said Cabonne general manager Andrew Hopkins and anti-amalgamation advocate Marj Bollinger both took the witness stand on Wednesday to push the case for Cabonne to stand alone in the state government’s amalgamation plan for New South Wales councils.

“They weren’t cross-examined,” he said.

Mr Gosper said there were no indications at this stage whether Cabonne would be successful in blocking the amalgamation with Orange and Blayney councils.

“It is always difficult to tell with court cases which way they will go,” he said.

If Cabonne is unsuccessful in its court bid and launches an appeal, the Central Western Daily understands that process could take up to eight months.

“We will just have to wait and see what happens,” Mr Gosper said.

Cabonne Council initially approved $20,000 to be spent on a legal campaign, and last week added to that figure by approving an additional $30,000.

Mr Gosper said all three councils had worked hard in court this week to have KPMG figures showing the benefits of the merger released by the state government, but after deliberating the judge ruled those figures would not be released and would remain in state government hands.

janiceharris@fairfaxmedia.com.au