The appointment of a mining figure to take control of several councils on the New South Wales mid-north coast has sparked controversy, as some communities across the state voice outrage over forced amalgamations and others see it as a new opportunity.

The NSW Government has created 19 new councils under its forced amalgamation program, reducing 152 councils to 112 and sacking hundreds of councillors and appointing administrators in their place.

John Turner has been appointed administrator for the Mid Coast Council, meaning for the next year he will manage the Gloucester, Great Lakes and Greater Taree councils which are being amalgamated.

Mr Turner has strong ties to the mining industry, and is the chairman of the community consultative committee for Whitehaven Coal.

Greens MP David Shoebridge said he was not the kind of person the locals want in charge.

"We know that John Turner was appointed by Whitehaven Coal, effectively helicoptered in by them to run the committee to try and as best they can neuter community opposition to the expansion of their coal operation," Mr Shoebridge said.

John Turner has responded by saying he was the independent chair of the Whitehaven community consultative committee, and was paid a fee to chair the meetings.

He said the Greens were playing politics by suggesting he was in the pocket of the mining industry.

"I disregard totally what the Greens say," he said.

"I think they are playing mischief.

"I believe that I have got the integrity to be able to dismiss these sorts of radical views that they are coming up with.

"I disregard their comments. They are being mischievous at best," he said.

There has a mixed reaction across regional New South Wales to the government's plan, with several sacked councillors and Nationals MPs criticising how the process was handled.

Nationals MP hopes councils will 'teach the government a lesson'

The Government has announced its in-principle support for the merger between the Bathurst and Oberon councils in the central west, and the proposed amalgamation of Cabonne, Orange and Blayney.

However, the final make-up of councils is awaiting the outcome of court decisions as several councils involved in the two mergers have taken legal action.

The Nationals Member for Orange Andrew Gee has backed the Cabonne Council's legal fight, saying he hoped it would win the case.

The Member for Orange Andrew Gee has been vocal in his opposition to the merger between Cabonne, Blayney and Orange. ( ABC News: Gavin Coote )

Mr Gee, who is the Nationals candidate for the federal seat of Calare, said the government's plan was "poison in the heartland of country New South Wales" and he was disappointed with its approach on the issue.

"It's a difficult waiting game, and I don't know how those court cases are going to turn out," Mr Gee said.

"But I for one hope that they'll succeed, and I hope they really teach the New South Wales Government a lesson on this."

Meanwhile in the Illawarra region, the government mistakenly issued a media statement on Thursday declaring a new 'City of Greater Wollongong Council' despite the court order restraining it.

The Land and Environment Court on Thursday morning granted Shellharbour Council and 11th-hour injunction against the government's Wollongong merger plan.

The matter is due to be determined in the Land and Environment Court with a hearing of the issue today.

Former Deputy PM urges local council to 'fight on'

In the state's Riverina, there was a push "behind the scenes" to reverse one of the merger proposals announced.

Fifteen Riverina-Murray councils were being amalgamated as part of the reforms but the former Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer said the Tumut Tumbarumba merger proposal may not go ahead.

Mr Fischer said he welcomed the proposed merger of Urana and Corowa to form Federation Council, but said the Tumbarumba merger should be reversed.

"Tumbarumba Shire must fight on," Mr Fischer said.

"Tumbarumba Shire has the capacity to continue into the future. It must not give up and there are some things happening behind the scenes to help reverse this decision in respect of Tumbarumba Shire ASAP."

Hilltops merger raises hopes of economic boost

On the state's south-west slopes, the government has combined the Boorowa, Harden and Young to create the Hilltops Council.

Harden was vocal in its opposition to the plan, but the Boorowa and Young councils said the three-way merger would help the region to exploit economic opportunities such the planned international flights into Canberra.

The Young mayor said while the outcome was pleasing for his region, he was surprised the outgoing councils had been dissolved so quickly.

"We had thought the proclamation might be made a month later, giving council and councillors time to tidy out their desk and sort out a few last minute things they wanted to sort out with council," Mr Ingram said.

"But that's been taken away from us now," he said.

Optimism in Dubbo about improved services

In the state's west, the Western Plains Regional Council is to replace the Dubbo City and Wellington councils.

Despite vocal opposition expressed by the two former councils, residents in the streets of Dubbo told the ABC they were optimistic about the new 'super' council.

"Some streets are in a shocking state," one resident said.

"Maybe we would get better public transport if we're all merged. Make it one better public transport system, especially for kids travelling between both towns," another said.

Mayor breaks down on radio

The former mayor of one of the smallest councils in the state has broken down on ABC Radio today while discussing the council mergers.

Bob Stewart from the now-dissolved Bombala Council in the state's south east said the first he knew of the amalgamation decision was on the radio.

Mr Stewart said the least he expected was the courtesy of a phone call to say he had been sacked.

"Yeah it's a pretty brutal way of doing things but any way that's life in New South Wales at the moment," Mr Stewart said.

"I think it is time for me to sign off for a little bit and I'd just like to thank the community."