THREE regional mayors believe they have been "dudded" after their application to manage a service... Service dudded us: mayors.

THREE regional mayors believe they have been "dudded" after their application to manage a service for older people, people with disabilities and those who provide the care and services, was unsuccessful.

Uralla mayor Ron Filmer, Gunnedah mayor Gae Swain and Glen Innes Severn mayor Steve Toms say the actions of Hunter New England Area Health (HNEAH) and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aging were "totally inappropriate" and will have a multiplying effect on their small communities.

They have expressed their dismay regarding the process and outcomes of the recent tender application for the Federal Government's Commonwealth Carelink Program.

The program establishes and maintains contact with community-aged care and service providers to ascertain the availability of, eligibility for and costs involved to each of these services.

Mr Filmer said the three Councils and HNEAH had met on numerous occasions to discuss the joint application and the councils felt inviting the health service onboard would a benefit.

Mr Filmer said the councils were not advised by HNEAH that it was submitting its own individual bid or that it was not making a submission as part of the joint parties bid.

The councils feel so passionate about the incident they will be referring it to the NSW Ombudsman and Independent Commission Against Corruption for investigation.

"Neither the council consortium nor the area health service advised the other of the detail of or the fact that they were submitting separate proposals."

Mr Clout admitted it would have been more favourable to ongoing relationships if it communicated its decision formally to the council consortium.

Mr Clout said HNEAH had also offered priority of employment to council staff previously engaged in the delivery of these services to ensure local opportunities were maintained.

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