Mr Jones and Inverell Shire Council mayor Barry Johnston attended the Boundaries Commission public hearing at the Armidale Ex-Services Memorial Club on August 23. Inverell Shire Council has made a submission to the Boundaries Commission appealing for Tingha and Bundarra to be included in Inverell Shire as communities of interest.

Mr Jones gave a private submission on the day as a civil and structural engineer not in his other role as an Inverell shire councillor.

He was one of about 15 individuals who provided submissions.

Mr Jones said he believed larger local governments were a more effective way of providing strong and efficient services to communities.

He also pointed out that Tingha is just 25km from Inverell yet 105km from Armidale. Bundarra is 45km from Inverell and 85km from Armidale.

David supported the inclusion of Tingha and Bundarra into the Inverell Shire as well as the upper catchment of Moredun Creek around Wandsworth.

Cr Johnston said the meeting focused predominately on Guyra and Uralla until David presented his submission.

“The Boundaries Commission are now considering the submissions,” he said.

“They have a lot of homework to do.”