YEOVAL residents have celebrated the end of a 140-year boundary divide, gathering on the bridge between Yeoval and North Yeoval to mark the community’s new chapter under one council.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony recognised the transfer of North Yeoval from Dubbo Regional Council to Cabonne Shire, which came into effect on July 1 following years of advocacy from residents.
The historic boundary adjustment brings the entire Yeoval community under Cabonne Council.
Local historian and Yeoval community advocate Vicki Parkes said the occasion represented the coming together of two sides of the same community.
“It’s been a combined event between Cabonne and Yeoval Historical Society, it really has,” she said.
“The two mayors negotiated to get this to happen.”
Ms Parkes described the former boundary between Yeoval and North Yeoval as a “futile barrier”.
“Today is an amalgamation of two sides of one creek into one community,” she said. “We are now officially under Cabonne, and I am very pleased.”
Cabonne Shire Mayor Cr Kevin Beatty said the change was a positive outcome for the community and reflected the wishes of generations of residents.
“This is an outcome many generations of local residents have hoped to see and have worked hard for,” he said.
“This adjustment is about more than a line on a map. It reflects what residents have always known, that Yeoval is one community.”
Standing on the bridge spanning the creek, Cr Beatty said the location was a fitting symbol for the occasion.
“Bridges connect people, places and communities,” he said. “For generations, this bridge has linked both sides of Yeoval.
“Today, it symbolises unity and a shared future for all of our residents.”
He thanked Dubbo Regional Council for working collaboratively with Cabonne Shire staff throughout the process, saying the outcome demonstrated what could be achieved when councils listened to their communities.
The ceremony also recognised the efforts of generations of residents who had campaigned to reunite the township, including members of the Johnson family, whose late father had strongly advocated for the change.
Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Cr Joshua Black described the occasion as “years in the making”.
“It really is something that should have happened a long time ago,” Cr Black said.
Orange State MP Phil Donato said the strong support from both councils, local MPs and the community had helped make the change possible.
“Usually when we talk about local government boundaries it’s a controversial topic,” Mr Donato said.
“But everyone knew it was the right thing to do for Yeoval to get over this silly division and unite the town.”
Mr Donato said bringing the township under one council would simplify services for residents and strengthen future advocacy.
Residents in the former North Yeoval area will now receive their local government services from Cabonne Council and pay rates to the council from the current financial year.