Recommendations to merge a number of Hunter councils have sent local government bodies reeling.

The final report of the Independent Local Government Review Panel is advising amalgamations of Maitland and Dungog councils, as well as Lake Macquarie and Newcastle councils.

It has also recommended the southern tips become part of a Central Coast council.

Lake Macquarie Council has vehemently rejected the move since it was first touted by the panel a year ago.

Mayor Jodie Harrison says its seems the group has turned a blind eye to council's submission.

"After looking at all of that evidence, council decided it wasn't in the best interest of Lake Macquarie people to move forward with boundary changes," she said.

"I'm really disappointed that the independent review panel ignored the evidence provided by Lake Macquarie Council, and it's still going ahead with the recommendation they came up with 12 months ago."

Councillor Harrison says the panel has sidelined essential information about assets, debt and population growth.

"I have no idea why they're committed to this particular recommendation," she said.

"Certainly, our submission contains 36 pages of evidence as to why it is not a good idea for the people of Lake Macquarie, and I have no idea why they've chosen to ignore that."