Tingha Citizens Association president Colleen Graham has questioned the motives of Armidale Regional Council mayor Simon Murray. “I would ask what Simon Murray did for Tingha when he was a councillor with Guyra Shire,” Ms Graham said.

“Did he ever come to socialise, to see how we were doing as a community? No, he didn’t come until it suited him – to boost his chances at the elections.”

Armidale Regional Council conceded Tingha to Inverell Shire Council on April 12.

But, the move was blocked by the Electoral Commission NSW that would not allow a boundary adjustment within six months of an election.

Mayor Simon Murray has said he is happy for Tingha to move, provided it has the support of the majority.

“I’ve always had the view to let the people decide, but a number of people came up in the election period and said they did not want to move to Inverell,” Cr Murray said. “We’ve got to find out.”

The original survey, conducted by Armidale Regional Council, showed 57 per cent of respondents supported the move. According to TCA president Colleen Graham, they can’t get away fast enough. “Inverell is our ‘hometown’ and always has been,” Ms Graham said.

A decision on the move cannot be made until March next year.