Steph Cooke | 27 Feb 2023 | Community Cowra Shire Emergency Services
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke joined the NSW State Emergency Service (SES) on Saturday to officially open the doors on the new purpose-built headquarters at Goolongong, which will help coordinate its response to flood and storm emergencies.
Ms Cooke said the new $630,000 facility will ensure a targeted and rapid response to future emergency events attended by the SES.
“This new facility is now officially open and with the continued flooding that has occurred in the Central West trough the past year, will further enhance their response,” Ms Cooke said.
“It has a shared environment for connectivity and communication, making it easier to work together during major weather events.”
The Unit headquarters, which is a partnership between the Cowra Council and the SES, will provide additional garages for rescue vehicles and boats, storage for equipment, offices, a training room, a kitchen, changeroom facilities and a laundry.
The Gooloogong Unit is made up of seven members and has responded to 48 incidents over the past three years of intense flooding and storms.
SES Zone Commander, Chief Superintendent Benjamin Pickup, attended the opening and presented a number of awards to members, including the SES Long Service Award.
“The SES Long Service Award recognises the dedication Gooloogong members have put into their community during emergencies,” Chief Superintendent Pickup said.
“The SES Long Service Award recipient, Rodney Gavin, has devoted more than 30 years’ to the agency and will be recognised today for his commitment.”
Gooloogong Unit Commander Catherine Thompson said Rodney is extremely deserving of the Award.
“Rodney was one of the longest serving members of the unit, dedicating thousands of hours to serving his local community,” Ms Thompson said.
“We often call on Rodney as he has a wealth of knowledge, which is really valued in times where the unit comes together and responds to incidents.
“His wife joined shortly after him, she will also be approaching her 30 years’ of service to the Gooloogong Unit.”
Steph Cooke | 23 Feb 2023 | Community Cowra Shire Water and Energy
Wyangala’s new $5 million water treatment plant is on track to be completed by mid-2023.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the project was gaining momentum with the infrastructure expected to be finished by the end of March, weather permitting, before it moves into a two-month commissioning phase.
“The contractors have been kicking goals and its great to see them getting closer to the finishing line because the plant will transform water quality and reliability for residents and visitors to the Wyangala Waters Holiday Park,” Ms Cooke said.
“Despite having to contend with unprecedented flooding and rainfall, the project team have kept the delays to a minimum and are now in the last phase of construction.
“The modern water treatment plant will deliver up to 800,000 litres of top quality, drinking water every day which will be lifechanging for the 200 permanent locals, as well as the thousands of people who visit the holiday park every year.”
A lot of the structural work on the main building along with pipelines is nearly finished and builders are now installing compressors, tanks, and pumps as well as cables and electrical equipment.
Cowra Mayor Cr Bill West said the new infrastructure will be a significant Council asset that will bring water services at Wyangala into the 21st century.
“The plant is located above the village and dam and will house the filtration and chemical processes that will deliver treated drinking water to both locals and the holiday park,” Cr West said.
“Once the plant begins operating, it will ensure that potable water that meets the current Australian Drinking Water Guidelines will be available at Wyangala. This is great news, not only for the village community, but for visitors to the region and will help unlock the tourism potential for the area.”
So far, more than $1 million has been injected into the regional economy with the contractor Enviropacific Services using the services of more than 100 local businesses and employing one third of its workforce locally.
The project has been funded by the NSW and Australian Governments.
Weigelli Centre Aboriginal Corporation has received funding of $146,616 to purchase a bus and trailer to support their recovery program through the NSW Government’s inaugural Community and Place funding program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said funding for the organisation, located near Cowra, will provide real benefits to participants currently walking the pathway to recovery.
“The team at Weigelli do such important work for people suffering from the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs,” Ms Cooke said.
“When I met with Dan Jeffries and Norm Henderson at the centre again only recently, they told me how helpful a reliable bus and trailer would be as part of their program.
“I am delighted their application has been successful, because they can now secure transport which will enhance their day-to-day activities with participants, as well as opportunities to include the families and friends of those involved in the program.”
Ms Cooke said a key part of the Weigelli Centre Recovery program is reconnecting people to their cultural roots and incorporating greater respect for themselves, families and the community as part of their recovery journey.
Weigelli Centre Aboriginal Corporation CEO, Daniel Jeffries said over-representation of adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the criminal justice system is an ongoing concern and is the focus of the Weigelli Centre recovery program.
“Assisting clients who have alcohol and other drugs issues by using local support services, stakeholders and recreational activities will reduce the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander appearances before the criminal justice system and have benefits for themselves, their families and the community,” Mr Jeffries said.
“The Weigelli Centre Recovery program will address targets and outcomes under the Government’s closing the gap program.”
Steph Cooke | 13 Feb 2023 | Cowra Shire Roads and Transport
Cowra Shire Council will soon receive funding of $2,319,288 through the NSW Government’s $280 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said Cowra Shire has over 1200km of roads to manage, with this latest funding a welcome boost allowing further repairs to be undertaken.
“This investment is all about improving the roads we use every day, making them safer for the freight industry, tourists, and the commute to and from work or school,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is fantastic to have this funding secured, which builds on an initial cash injection of $441,613 for council to fix potholes announced in December.
“I am advised council has been sent the funding deeds, and once the deed is executed the money goes into the bank.”
Cowra Shire Council General Manager Paul Devery said council appreciates the ongoing support from the NSW Government in providing this additional funding.
“We have a big job in front of us over the next few years progressively bringing the roads back up to the standard expected by the community and this funding will be a major boost in achieving that aim,” Mr Devery said. The NSW Government continues to support local government areas in making our road network smoother and safer. Over the past five years, Cowra Shire Council has secured over $5 million in NSW Government funding to deliver 7 road projects through Fixing Local Roads and Fixing Country Roads, on top of assistance through Regional Roads Block Grant program and NSW Disaster Assistance Arrangements.
Wyangala Country Club have been successful in receiving some potentially life-saving funds, to the value of $2,450 to purchase a defibrillator through the Regional NSW Community Grant.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the purchase of a defibrillator for Wyangala Country Club could save a life.
“In a life-threatening sudden cardiac arrest every second counts, and bystanders play a vital role because the chance of surviving a cardiac arrest decreases by 10 per cent every minute that passes without defibrillation,” Ms Cooke said.
“The availability of this defibrillator means that the patrons of Wyangala Country Club and locals can enjoy the use of facilities with additional peace of mind regarding their wellbeing.”
President of the Wyangala Country Club, Mr David Morgan said that the club is very grateful to the NSW Government for the funding of a defibrillator for the village.
“This life saving equipment is invaluable,” Mr Morgan said.
“The club also acknowledges the significant grant support the NSW Government has provided to the local community to improve facilities at the Oval, for much-needed equipment to maintain and upgrade club facilities and for rebates during Covid. The Government support for small regional villages is very much needed and welcomed by the Wyangala community.”
This funding to Wyangala Country club is the latest in a series of investments made into supporting the community in Wyangala village. Under the most recent round of the Community Building Partnership Program, nearly $20,000 was provided to the club for a dishwasher in the kitchen and a new mower for the club’s grounds.
This builds on the investment made in 2021 when $57,000 was provided to the Country Club under the Stronger Country Communities Fund Round Four for upgrades and an expansion to the Matt Morrison Oval facilities, which have recently met a major milestone in the completion of this project.
The community of Cowra will soon see the courts at Cowra Tennis Club revitalised thanks to successful funding of $95,001 through Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said it is great to know that courts Four and Five at the Cowra Tennis Club will be resurfaced, breathing new life into the courts.
“With these improvements helping to support our up-and-coming athletes and encourage an ongoing active and healthy lifestyle for all ages,” Ms Cooke said.
“Whilst the club has done an amazing job in cleaning three of the ten courts, the remaining courts require more work to return to a condition allowing for community use.”
Cowra Tennis Club Director Helen Garratt said they are very grateful for the funding which will allow the Club to return to its full capacity and allow their members to enjoy a game or two on a safe playing surface.
“Currently we have only 4 courts available to use and with the new courts plus being able to repair others, we will be back to a 10-court facility enabling us to conduct tournaments and local competitions where we do require all of our courts to be available,” Ms Garratt said.
Families across the region who are struggling with the challenges of being a new parent are set to benefit from the recently completed renovations carried out at the Tresillian in Western Family Day Centre at Cowra.
Included as part of the 2021-22 NSW Budget, $12.2 million was made available to enable Tresillian and the Gidget Foundation Australia to collaborate. The outcome has provided new and expecting parents in Cowra and surrounds access to a dedicated, specialised service, without the need to travel large distances to Canberra or Sydney.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomed the improvements to the local Tresillian in Western Family Day Care Centre when she officially opened the services today.
“Sometimes we forget that it can be a stressful and overwhelming time caring for a baby. Having these services close to home is key in ensuring parents feel supported in those difficult days when you’re adjusting to life with a new baby,” Ms Cooke said.
“The significant investment into the new Tresillian Facility will ensure the centre is well equipped to provide education and support to families across the region for generations to come.”
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said this is all about helping families in need and services like Tresillian have such a positive impact on the wider community.
“I know this new centre will be life-changing for families. The new Tresillian centre takes an integrated care approach that includes practical advice from Tresillian Nurses around issues relating to baby, along with the option for counselling,” Mrs Taylor said.
The service is complemented by two Tresillian residential beds in the redevelopment of the Cowra Hospital, which will provide further access to families in the area requiring intensive support for persistent early parenting difficulties.
“Tresillian is committed to providing more services for families in rural and regional areas, close to home in their local communities,” Mr Mills said.
Tresillian is Australia’s largest not-for-profit Early Parenting Service offering professional advice, education, and guidance to families with a baby, toddler or pre-schooler.
Families seeking parenting support can call Tresillian’s Parent Help Line on 1300 272 736 Monday to Friday. For more advice, tips and support visit
The Cowra community can look forward to soon accessing enhanced health services within a new state-of-the art facility, with early works underway for the $110.2 million Cowra Hospital redevelopment.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke today turned the first sod at the new purpose-built facility, due for completion in 2025.
“The start of early works marks a major milestone for this significant project which will transform healthcare for our region,” Ms Cooke said.
“This $110.2 million redevelopment will provide our community with improved access to new and enhanced services, including the hospital’s first CT scanner and upgraded inpatient beds within a new, contemporary facility.
“Our community will also benefit from a new Tresillian Residential Unit which will provide new parents seeking specialist care and support in the early years of parenting with access to these services, closer to home.”
The new $110.2 million hospital will deliver:
An emergency department,
A general medical and surgery inpatient ward, including spaces to provide palliative care
A peri-operative service (a range of surgical procedures),
A maternity unit with a dedicated nursery,
Ambulatory care (services for outpatients) and Hospital in the Home,
Oral health (dental clinic),
Renal dialysis (dialysis treatment for outpatients),
Oncology (chemotherapy treatments),
Community and allied health
Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol services,
Tresillian inpatient beds for new mothers and their babies, and
A medical imaging department including a new CT scanner and ultrasound, and
Staff accommodation.
Ms Cooke said Lipman has been appointed as the enabling works contractor for the project, which involves preparing the site ahead of main works construction commencing later this year.
“The redevelopment has been tailored to the needs of the Cowra community, with feedback from staff and the community informing the hospital’s two-level design, as well as access improvements, new onsite parking, landscaped areas and enhanced district views from the hospital,” Ms Cooke said.
“Over the coming weeks, the existing buildings at the rear of the site will be demolished, alongside earthworks to prepare the site for construction of the new hospital, expected to start on site later this year.”
Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the redevelopment will ensure that the health needs of the Cowra community and surrounding areas are met for many years to come.
“The Liberals and Nationals in Government know how important health care is in the regions, and this $110.2 million redevelopment of Cowra Hospital will not only change lives, but save lives,” Mrs Taylor said.
All patient services will be maintained and continue to operate at the existing Cowra Hospital throughout the redevelopment.
The Cowra Hospital redevelopment is part of the NSW Government’s record $11.9 billion investment in health infrastructure over four years to 2025-26, with nearly a third of the capital allocation in this financial year going towards regional and rural health facilities.
Since 2011, the government has established more than 180 hospitals and health facilities across NSW, with more than 130 currently underway – of those, more than 90 are in rural and regional areas.
Poppy Starr of Cowra has been selected among 18 young leaders from across the State to represent their community on the fourth official Regional Youth Taskforce.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke congratulated Poppy on her appointment to the ministerial advisory group that will provide operational and policy advice to the NSW Government on behalf of their peers.
“The Taskforce has been selected from more than 140 applicants from each of the State’s nine regions and will officially meet four times throughout the year to discuss issues impacting regional youth,” Ms Cooke said.
“During these meetings they’ll meet with NSW government representatives including the Minister for Regional Youth and cabinet members, to share their thoughts on the NSW Regional Youth Framework pillars: work ready, wellbeing, connectivity and community.”
Poppy Starr said she felt this opportunity to advocate on a larger scale was extremely important and she looks forward to ensuring there are opportunities for our regional youth.
“Regional Australia and the agriculture industry are extremely important to me as they both go hand in hand, especially if we are to ensure our regional communities are sustainable now and into the future, Miss Starr said.
“I am so excited to have been selected as a voice for our younger people as part of the Taskforce and I am honoured to represent them and my hometown of Cowra.”
Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin said the Regional Youth Taskforce connects young people from regional NSW with their community and engages them on issues including employment, mental health and public transport.
“The Liberal and Nationals Government knows there’s no better way to be informed on matters affecting young people living in regional and rural NSW than to hear those issues and concerns directly from this exceptional group of young people.
“In the role, our 18 new members will hone their skills in driving policy change, advocate for real outcomes for young people, and provide a voice for regional youth in the NSW Government.
“I congratulate the members of the new 2023 Taskforce and look forward to working with them and hearing their views on how the NSW Government can continue to serve young people across regional NSW.”
Steph Cooke | 30 Jan 2023 | Community Cowra Shire Grants
There will be increased fun and joy at the Cowra Aquatic Centre with Cowra Shire Council being successful in receiving $981,202 to implement a splashpad through Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said she has welcomed this exciting project for all ages of the community to enjoy.
“I can’t wait to hear the laughter and see the joy in the faces of many children as they enjoy the thrills and excitement of this new water attraction,” Ms Cooke said.
“These improvements to the Aquatic Centre will encourage family visits and raise water confidence in younger users.”
Cowra Shire Council Mayor Cr Bill West said this is a great announcement as this project will allow them to improve and upgrade the Aquatic Centre in various stages.
“The incorporation of a splashpad and construction of a pump shed to service the splashpad will ensure that Council’s long-term plan will be implemented in due course,” Cr West said.
The splashpad will integrate with the existing toddler’s pool creating an area specifically designed for younger users whilst incorporating inclusive design features that will be accessible to children with all levels of ability.
Over five rounds of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, more than $5.5 million in funding has been awarded to 22 projects across the Cowra Local Government Area.
