The NSW government has created 19 new councils as part of its forced mergers plan, resulting in several local governments being sacked across the state.
The government has however backed down on its original amalgamation plans for several councils, including those in marginal federal electorates.
Decisions on nine other councils have been delayed pending the outcome of legal action launched by those local governments.
"I strongly believe that we have taken decisions that are in the interest of ratepayers from one end of the state to the other," Premier Mike Baird said on Thursday.
Among the mergers shelved was a proposed amalgamation between Walcha and Tamworth council.
That merger was strongly opposed by deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce, who is fighting to retain his seat of New England, taking in these council areas, in the upcoming federal election.
NSW Deputy Premier and Nationals leader Troy Grant on Thursday admitted he had spoken to Mr Joyce about his concerns but insisted it did nothing to change the outcome.
"I have listened to the delegate, listened to the Walcha community and that's been for five years," Mr Grant said.
"I have not listened to Barnaby Joyce in the last five minutes."
NSW opposition leader Luke Foley argued the reforms were an "act of boundary-rigging politics".
He's also promised a state Labor government would de-merge councils that have been forced to amalgamate.
Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party MLC Robert Brown has meanwhile vowed to vote against any future legislation that Mr Baird's government puts forward, while the NSW Greens say they will introduce legislation to hold plebiscites for affected residents to decide on de-mergers.
Local Government Minister Paul Toole said the mergers would not affect day-to-day business for councils.
Administrators and interim general managers have been appointed to each of the new councils, and they will remain in place until council elections take place in September next year.
Each new council will receive up to $10 million to meet the costs of merging, while $15 million will also be given for new community infrastructure.
New rules to clamp down on dishonest councillors and a $2500 cap on political donations for council elections were also announced as part of the reforms.
This includes moves to close a loophole in legislation which allows councillors to vote on development matters in which they have an interest.
It comes after Mr Toole formally suspended Sydney's Auburn Council in February as a public inquiry was launched into allegations its councillors, including flamboyant former deputy mayor Salim Mehajer, were making planning and development decisions which would benefit them.
A review of the merged councils will be conducted in four years.
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