The New South Wales government has unveiled its long awaited council amalgamation plan, with 19 new councils created across the state.

It also given in principal support for nine additional mergers, following legal proceedings that are currently before the court.

"Certainly we understand this is not an easy decision, we understand there are some groups from across the state that don't want to see this decision," Premier Mike Baird said in a press conference today.

"When we started this journey we said at all times what we wanted to do was to take decisions that were in the interest of the people across the state, and today I strongly believe that we have undertaken decisions that are in the interest of rate payers from one of the state to the other.

"Certainly we've seen these reforms work in other jurisdictions.and the sky hasn't fallen in.

"Indeed there is a strong view the process has worked to the benefit of the communities and strengthened the overall economy."

Council areas that have merged include Armidale Dumaresq and Guyra which now become Armidale Regional Council, Bankstown and Canterbury which become Canterbury-Bankstown council, Queanbeyan and Palerang have become Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council and Hurtsville and Kogarah have become Georges River Council.

SEE BELOW FOR A FULL LIST OF COUNCIL CHANGES

"I absolutely believe that the local government reform process we are undertaking of which this amalgamation process is just one part...it will give regional NSW the strongest future possible," Deputy Premier Troy Grant said.

"We can't afford to have regional councils just exist, they need to prosper and they need to be stronger."

A number of proposals have been scrapped, including the merger of the Hills shire and Hawkesbury councils, and also the proposal to merge Walcha and Tamworth, which are in Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce's seat of New England.

NSW Premier Mike Baird (9NEWS)

The government was questioned over this move and asked if it came about after discussions with Mr Joyce and the prime minister leading into the federal election.

"The Deputy Prime Minister has spoken to me on two occasions," Mr Grant said.

"That happened well after I had already attended Walcha and spoken to council and formed my own views and that's been over the last five years.

"I have not listened to what Barnaby Joyce has said in the last five minutes," he said.

9NEWS state political reporter Chris O'Keefe asked Mr Baird why he didn't wait to announce the mergers.

"Why didn't you wait until after the election until all these court cases were finished, so you could wrap it up nicely" he questioned Mr Baird.

"My interest is getting on an doing what is right for the people of New South Wales." Mr Baird replied.

Each new council will receive up to $10 million to meet the costs of merging and up to an additional $15 million to kick start new investment in community infrastructure through the Stronger Communities Fund.

In addition to the mergers, the government has also announced a number of new provisions for councils, which includes, for the first time, a cap on donations and limitations on pecuniary interests for councillors.

"For example, councils who lodge a development application it won't be approved by that council, it will go to the office of local councils or neighbouring council," NSW Local Government Minister Paul Toole said.

"(And) if you're thinking of running for council, don't consider it if you are thinking if lining your pockets."

Councils proceeding:

· Armidale Regional Council: The merger of Armidale Dumaresq and Guyra Shire councils

· Canterbury-Bankstown Council: The merger of Bankstown City and Canterbury City councils

· Central Coast Council: The merger of Gosford City and Wyong Shire councils

· City of Parramatta Council: The merger of Paramatta City, The Hills Shire, Auburn City, Holroyd City and Hornsby Shire councils

· Cumberland Council: The merger of Parramatta City, Auburn City and Holroyd City councils

· Edward River Council: The merger of Conargo Shire and Deniliquin councils

· Federation Council: The merger of Corowa Shire and Urana Shire councils

· Georges River Council: The merger of Hurstville City and Kogarah City councils

· Gundagai Council: The merger of Cootamundra Shire and Gundagai Shire councils

· Hilltops Council: The merger of Boorowa, Harden Shire and Young Shire councils

· Inner West Council: The merger of Ashfield, Leichhardt Municipal and Marrickville councils

· Mid-Coast Council: The merger of Gloucester Shire, Great Lakes and Greater Taree City councils

· Murray River Council: The merger of Murray Shire and Wakool Shire councils

· Murrumbidgee Council: The merger of Jerilderie Shire and Murrumbidgee Shire councils

· Northern Beaches Council: The merger of Manly, Pittwater and Warringah councils

· Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council: The merger of Palerang and Queanbeyan City councils

· Snowy Monaro Regional Council: The merger of Bombala, Cooma-Monaro Shire and Snowy River Shire councils

· Snowy Valley Council: The merger of Tumbarumba Shire and Tumut Shire councils

· Western Palins Regional Council: The merger of Dubbo City and Wellington councils

Merger proposals pending:

· Armidale Dumaresq, Guyra Shire, Uralla Shire and Walcha councils

· Bathurst Regional and Oberon councils

· Blayney Shire, Cabonne and Orange City councils

· Burwood, City of Canada Bay and Strathfield Municipal councils

· City of Botany Bay and Rockdale City council

· Dungog Shire and Maitland City councils

· Hornsby Shire and Ku-ring-gai councils

· Hunter’s Hill, Lane Cover and City of Ryde councils

· Mosman Municipal, North Sydney and Willoughby City councils

· Newcastle City and Port Stephens councils

· Randwick City, Waverley and Woollahra Municipal councils

· Shellharbour City and Wollongong City councils

Merger proposals not commencing

· Berrigan Shire and Jerilderie Shire councils

· Boorowa and Young Shire councils

· Cootamundra Shire, Gundagai Shire and Harden Shire councils

· Corowa Shire, Lockhart Shire, Urana Shire councils

· Goulburn Mulwaree and Palerang councils

· Hawkesbury City and The Hills Shire councils

· Jerilderie Shire and Murrumbidgee Shire councils

· Kiama Municipal and Shoalhaven City councils

· Manly, Mosman Municipal and Warringah councils

· North Sydney and Willoughby City councils

· Palerang and Queanbeyan City councils

· Pittwater and Warringah councils