The first of the rallies will take place at Tomaree Sports Complex, Nelson Bay, from 10am and the second at Lakeside Sports Complex, Raymond Terrace, at 1pm.

“I’ll tell you now, if the people of Port Stephens want to retain ownership of their assets, then they need to show their faces and make themselves heard,” Port Stephens Mayor Bruce MacKenzie said.

Cr MacKenzie said ongoing analysis of the merger proposal had failed to find any benefits or cost savings for the people of Port Stephens.

“This proposal has serious implications for households and businesses who can expect their rates to rise, as well as reduced representation on a much larger council with more competing interests,” he said.

“There are also serious social and economic flow-on effects from the removal of jobs from Port Stephens that will result in a loss of $95 million a year to the local economy.

“I encourage everyone to come down to a rally and show Mr Baird and the NSW Government that the people of Port Stephens do not want a bar of this proposal.”

The community rallies will be held at:

Nelson Bay

Tomaree Sports Complex

Off Nelson Bay Road, Nelson Bay

9am for a 10am start

Raymond Terrace

Lakeside Sports Complex

Leisure Way, Raymond Terrace

12 noon for 1pm start