Category Archives: Junee Shire

Former Junee Mayor Peter Commens was honoured for his ongoing commitment to the local area when he was presented with a NSW Government Community Service Award by the Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke.

Mr Commens was joined by family and friends at the Junee Showground for the award presentation, where Ms Cooke praised his numerous contributions to the Junee community.

“Peter is well known to the community through his time as mayor, but his work in and around Junee extends far beyond his service on local council,” Ms Cooke said.

“In what is an extraordinary achievement, Peter has been a member of the Junee Show Society since he left school, and has made significant contributions to the organisation for over five decades, including as president of the society on-and-off for a total of 30 years,” she said.

Ms Cooke also noted Peter’s work on the board of the Agricultural Societies Council of NSW, which involves fulfilling the role of Group 8 delegate.

“Peter is a member of the Junee Rotary Club, and has been involved in the wonderful work they do in our community for over ten years now,” Ms Cooke said.

“On top of all his volunteer and community work, Peter also manages to find time to run his rural property at Eurongilly.

“As a result of Peter’s invaluable contributions to not only his local community, but to the state, he is truly a worthy recipient of the NSW Government Community Service Award,” she said.

Ms Cooke said Peter was extremely humbled by the honour when he was surprised by family and friends at an afternoon tea for the award presentation.

“As is the case with most civic-minded people, Peter never seeks praise or accolades for his contributions, but it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t honour and thank those in the community who are committed to ensuring our towns and villages continue to be places we’re proud to belong to, and call home,” Ms Cooke said.

Photo: Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke presented Peter Commens with his NSW Government Community Service Award for his work in and around Junee. Peter was joined by family and friends for the special occasion.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said NSW Women’s Week 2024 is a time dedicated to celebrating the achievements and contributions of women across our Cootamundra electorate, that also serves as a reminder of the resilience, strength, and talent that women bring to local communities.

Ms Cooke said the week provides an opportunity to highlight the diverse roles and experiences of women of all ages, and from all walks of life.

“Today is the start of NSW Women’s Week 2024 – a chance for us all to recognise the contributions of women and girls across our Cootamundra electorate,” Ms Cooke said.

“Women play a vital role in our communities, and they deserve to be celebrated for the wonderful and tireless work they do.

“We have some fantastic local women kicking goals and doing amazing things in their field, from sport, to small business, education, health, the arts, agriculture – the list is endless.

“But this week is also about acknowledging the unsung heroes; the home-makers, the ones who give their time as volunteers, or committee members – those who are active in the community doing every role under the sun to help our amazing towns and villages thrive.

“It’s a chance for women and girls everywhere to support one another, learn from each other, and enjoy each other’s company.

“Essentially, this week is all about honouring the achievements of women, celebrating their contributions, and inspiring generations to come, so that together we can build a brighter future for all,” she said.

Find out more about the events that are going on this week from Monday 4 March to Sunday 10 March here:

www.nsw.gov.au/women-nsw/awards-and-events/womens-week

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the recent refurbishments to the Junee Senior Citizen’s Welfare Club Hall will allow the group to expand their activities in 2024, and will ensure the club continues to support seniors in the community well into the future.

Ms Cooke said the entire community of Junee will benefit from the upgrades, made possible thanks to a $60,783 grant provided under the previous NSW Coalition Government.

“This much-needed cash injection helps our regional groups do what they do best in serving their local communities, and I am delighted the hall is now equipped to provide the best possible experience for club patrons and those who hire the venue,” Ms Cooke said.

Ms Cooke said the funding was provided under the Clubgrants Category 3 Fund, which provides infrastructure grants for arts and culture, community, disaster readiness, and sport and recreation.

The works on the hall include the installation of an accessible toilet, as well as security upgrades with the installation of security grills on the windows, and CCTV.

The hall now boasts new audio-visual equipment, along with Internet access that will allow the club to host various presentations, information sessions, and small movie events.

Junee Senior Citizen’s Welfare Club Treasurer Barbara Guthrie said the hall is used by a number of groups, and the improvements will ensure all members of the community can take advantage of this revitalised asset. “We are delighted to know that people with walkers and wheelchairs will now have access to the toilets, along with some technology to help us move into the 21st Century,” Barbara said.

As the New South Wales Parliament returns for the first day of sitting for the year, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has raised concerns around parliamentary transparency and accountability, after the NSW Labor Government opted to minimise the sitting calendar in 2024.

Ms Cooke said the NSW Parliament is scheduled to sit for 48 days this year, which contrasts starkly with other years in which the Parliament has sat for up to 65 days under previous Coalition Governments.

“Fundamentally, less sitting days means less Question Time and less scrutiny,” Ms Cooke said.

“The decision to cut the number of sitting days, drastically reduces the ability of the Parliament to put forward bills, scrutinise legislation, raise matters of community concern, and ask questions on the record.

“I am very concerned about what this means for transparency and accountability in decision making, and I think the public is entitled to question why the NSW Labor Government is trying to avoid scrutiny,” she said.

Ms Cooke said that despite the shortened calendar, she will use the time to advocate for key issues across the Cootamundra electorate.

“Just last week I convened the 6^th annual Cootamundra Summit, bringing together representatives from the local governments that make up our wonderful electorate. The Summit was a chance for me to reaffirm my advocacy agenda for the year,” Ms Cooke said.

“Chief among the priorities identified is securing a safe and secure water supply for various communities, including for Boorowa residents, which is a project we’ve already made great inroads in achieving, with news this week the Government – together with Hilltops Council – has agreed to invest close to $1 million in a feasibility study to investigate further the option of a Harden to Boorowa water pipeline.

“Ensuring we have adequate police resources for our communities was another key priority identified at the Summit, and I will continue to lobby the Police Minister to ensure our towns and villages are equipped with the staff and infrastructure we need, and most importantly, deserve.

“Other issues on my agenda include continuing to fight for the Tresillian in-patient beds to be included in the Cowra Hospital redevelopment, as well as continuing to campaign loudly for the de-merge of the Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.

“Road and rail funding, including the rollout of safety upgrades at local level crossings are high on the list, and I will be demanding answers around the delay in commencing work on the Wallendbeen Bridge.

“This is by no means an exhaustive list; it’s going to be a big year and I look forward to once again working hard to achieve meaningful outcomes for the more than 170 small communities that make up our wonderful Cootamundra electorate,” she said.

Photograph caption: Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke in the NSW Legislative Assembly Chamber.

Representatives from local governments across the Cootamundra electorate gathered in Harden today for the 6^th annual Mayoral Summit hosted by local MP Steph Cooke.

Ms Cooke said the summit – held at the RFS Fire Control Centre – brings together mayors and general managers from across the region to discuss pressing issues, share insights, and collaborate on finding solutions to some of the challenges facing our communities.

“There are nine Local Government Areas (LGA’s) within the Cootamundra electorate; it’s a big area with over 170 small communities represented in the room today – each confronting their own unique and individual set of challenges,” Ms Cooke said.

“The annual Cootamundra Summit is an opportunity for us all to come together and listen to the issues facing different LGA’s, which then helps consolidate my advocacy agenda for the year ahead; I’d like to wholeheartedly thank the mayors and general managers who attended the summit and engaged in some really constructive discussions,” she said.

Ms Cooke said a range of problems and projects were discussed including road and rail opportunities, pothole repairs, issues around emergency response management, community transport needs, as well as the importance of mental health support services.

“We had a really constructive day and discussed a broad range of issues from water security to police resources, through to vital health infrastructure projects, and changes to councillor code of conduct requirements,” Ms Cooke said.

“There was also a lot of discussion around the impediments local governments face when it comes to securing state government investment, and utilising it in the most sensible and streamlined way possible, and I will be raising that, along with the other issues canvassed, with the NSW Labor Government,” she said.

Attendees were given the chance to ask questions directly of Water & Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson, along with representatives from the offices of the Minister for Emergency Services, and the Minister for Local Government, as well as of Shadow Corrections Minister Mark Taylor, and Shadow Agriculture & Regional NSW Minister Dugald Saunders.

“I certainly thank them all for their participation and making themselves available to hear first-hand what our priorities are on the ground here in our Cootamundra region,” Ms Cooke said.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the NSW Corrections Minister can be left in no doubt about the significant impact that changes to operations at the Junee Correctional Centre may have on the local community, following his first visit to the town.

Ms Cooke welcomed the Minister to the Cootamundra electorate, adding she was grateful the Minister had accepted one of her numerous invitations to Junee. Ms Cooke also thanked the Minister for making time to participate in a meeting she convened with representatives from local organisations and charity groups.

“This was the first time the Minister has consulted with the community on the NSW Labor Government’s surprise decision to de-privatise the Junee Correctional Centre, so today was a welcome opportunity for residents to voice their concerns firsthand with the Minister,” Ms Cooke said.

“During the meeting, the Minister heard directly from locals about the sponsorships that current operator GEO Group provide to our sporting groups and community organisations, as well as the scholarships they award to local students.

“The Minister also heard for himself how the inmates currently prepare hot meals for the local Meals on Wheels service, and how inmates help maintain the parks and gardens in the area, taking pressure off local volunteers, many of whom are older residents in the community.

“The Minister now knows how the current operator supports local businesses – from the bakery to the supermarket, and the butcher shop; in fact the annual spend last year alone by GEO on goods and services in the town was $7.5 million.

“The Minister now knows that should the financial and in-kind support that’s currently provided by GEO Group evaporate when they hand over the reins in 14 months, the social implications are vast, and threaten the very fabric that keeps this community together,” she said.

Ms Cooke said questions relating to staffing, as well as the future classification of the centre were also raised, with the Minister also now aware of the broader implications any decisions relating to those aspects of the centre’s internal operations, may have.

“The Minister offered assurances that he would take all he’s learnt here today on board, and I will certainly be doing all I can to ensure that no one in the Junee community will be left worse-off during and after the operational transition period,” Ms Cooke said.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is demanding answers from the NSW State Government over why work is yet to commence on a major level crossing upgrade in the area.

Ms Cooke said an upgrade of the level crossing on Goldfields Way near Junee was due for completion at the end of 2023, but as yet, nothing has been done to improve the crossing, which she says, remains a safety risk.

“The level crossing on Goldfields Way – which is located on a busy highway in the heart of the Riverina – has long been a concern for locals who, 12 months ago, were promised a complete safety overhaul of this site,” Ms Cooke said.

“Residents were led to believe work would soon get underway on the installation of high-intensity LED flashing lights, bells, and retro-reflective boom gates.

“But as of today, nothing has been done; the NSW Labor Government and Transport for New South Wales have clearly been dragging their feet when it comes to implementing potentially life-saving upgrades to our road and rail networks; it seems their priorities lie elsewhere.

“Not only are they behind schedule on this project, but calls for upgrades to the level crossing just up the line on Canola Way, have fallen on deaf ears.

“Less than 12 months ago, the Canola Way crossing was the site of a major collision between a truck and a train; the crossing is located on a sharp ‘s’ bend, and presents considerable safety risks.

“While more warning signs have been erected, clearly more needs to be done to improve safety at the Canola Way level crossing.

“Whether it’s local residents on the school or grocery run, heavy freight operators transporting goods in and out of the area, our farmers moving stock, or those on board the trains, we need a greater focus and more investment on keeping people safe at level crossings; alarmingly though it appears the NSW Labor Government has no clue, no idea, and is nowhere to be seen on this.

“I’m calling on the Regional Transport Minister to visit the region and see for herself the issues that continue to plague these crossings, and to make the safety of our communities a top priority for 2024, and immediately start work on upgrading these level crossings,” she said.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is encouraging the community to celebrate the positive role seniors play in the local area by nominating them for the 2024 NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards.

Nominations are now open for the awards program, with the winners to be announced during the NSW Seniors Festival, taking place from 11th – 24th March, 2024.

The NSW Seniors Festival celebrates and acknowledges the important role that seniors play in our community.

It is the largest festival for seniors in the Southern Hemisphere, with an estimated 250,000 seniors participating in hundreds of free or discounted events.

“This annual festival is all about celebrating the positive impact of older people in our families, and broader community,” Ms Cooke said.

“The festival provides an important opportunity for seniors to participate in their communities in meaningful and engaging ways.

“The awards too are a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge the contributions and achievements of our seniors.

“So many seniors go above and beyond for our community as volunteers, carers, and role models, so if you know a senior who helps make our community a better place to live, then I encourage you to nominate them,” she said.

Nominations close at 5pm on Friday, 1st March 2024.

To nominate a senior or find further information on the awards program, phone: 6382 2399 or email: cootamundra@parliament.nsw.gov.au

For more information about the NSW Seniors Festival visit: www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke visited Bethungra Dam to lend a hand during the recent fish restocking project, which is designed to strengthen the local fish population and enhance recreational fishing opportunities.

Ms Cooke said restocking projects like this help ensure lakes, rivers, and dams are well stocked for future generations.

“It was great to be involved in the release of 15,000 native fish at Bethungra Dam, with a mix of Murray Cod and Golden Perch let loose at the popular recreation spot,” Ms Cooke said.

“These kinds of projects are just so important to the long-term health of our waterways, and contribute significantly to the perseveration of threatened species,” she said.

Ms Cooke said the restocking program was also important from an economic perspective.

“These kinds of stocking events not only maintain and enhance recreational fisheries, but also benefit our local communities through tourism and economic opportunities,” Ms Cooke said.

“The recreational fishing industry contributes billions to the state’s economy every year, so ensuring our local waterways are well-stocked helps draw visitors to the region, ensuring our local economies don’t miss out.

“The NSW Coalition understands this and has provided millions in funding in recent years towards safety upgrades at Bethungra Dam, as well as towards enhancing the nearby camping facilities to ensure the best possible experience for locals and tourists alike,” Ms Cooke said.

Junee Shire Council Environmental Officer Mason Schembri explained the fish restocking was undertaken as part of the Department of Primary Industries’ Fish Stocking Program.

“The program is a Recreational Fishing Trust funded initiative that provides $2 for every dollar contributed by the local council, which has allowed us to invest a total of $12,000 into this vitally important restocking project,” Mr Schembri said.

“The last restocking event in the dam occurred back in 2021, so this latest release will help increase the number of native fish in the water, which will help balance out the number of invasive species such as the European Perch, which are also present,” he said.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has congratulated students, parents, and teachers on completing the 2023 school year, and has praised the achievements of all schools – large and small – across the electorate.

“I’ve had the great honour and privilege in recent weeks of attending many school presentations right across our electorate, and I have just been so impressed by what students have achieved; we have a lot to be proud of,” Ms Cooke said.

“Our students really have had an amazing year, and I’ve enjoyed hearing all about the academic and sporting achievements, as well as watching students perform across music and the arts; we really punch well above our weight, particularly given that many of our schools are small schools,” she said.

Ms Cooke praised the work of teachers, school staff, parents, and volunteers in ensuring students are well supported and able to thrive.

“Our teachers are so passionate about their classes and their students, and the results speak for themselves in the classroom, so congratulations and thank you for the work you do supporting the younger members of our community,” Ms Cooke said.

“The P&Cs too do a wonderful job throughout the year, hosting activities and fundraisers that help provide students with those extra opportunities that enrich their school lives,” she said.

Ms Cooke said while she does her best to visit as many schools as possible, it does take time to get around them all.

“There are 82 schools in the Cootamundra electorate, and I visit on average about 20 schools a year – and this year’s no different – so it takes me four years to get around them all. So if I haven’t quite got to your school lately, I promise you it’s on the list; it just takes me a little while to get to each and every one of them in-person,” Ms Cooke said.

“To all the school communities – large and small – well done on another successful year, have an enjoyable break, and good luck for 2024; I can’t wait to see what you all do next,” she said.

Photograph caption: Steph Cooke with award winners from Junee North Public School following their end of year presentation.