LIBERAL MP for Oatley, Mark Coure, believes it is "unlikely" the state government will change its policy of not forcing council amalgamations.
He was reiterating his opposition to the merger of Hurstville, Rockdale, Kogarah and Canterbury councils.
Amalgamation of the four councils is the "preferred option" of the government-appointed NSW Independent Local Government Review Panel, which released its final report last week.
The panel said an alternative option was that these councils "combine as a strong joint organisation, also including Sutherland".
Mr Coure acknowledged that the government was bound only for the four-year term by the promise it made at the 2011 election of no forced amalgamations.
But he thought it "unlikely" it would change when policies were reviewed for the March 2015 election.
"I can't see [a change] happening at all," he said.
Mr Coure, who served on Kogarah Council for eight years, said his personal view was that overall the St George councils operated smoothly as they were.
"Local government should be local, and the arrangements for Hurstville, Kogarah and Rockdale councils work well," he said.
Mr Coure said the councils already engaged in resource sharing, and there were further opportunities in this area.
Should the government renew its promise of no forced council amalgamations?
