Category Archives: News

Residents in and around Temora are being encouraged to have their say on the design of the new Temora Hospital, after plans for the $80 million redevelopment were unveiled for the first time ahead of construction, which is expected to start next year in 2025.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the release of the concept design marked an exciting step forward for the project, which has been in the planning phase since she announced the redevelopment on-site in 2021.

“This was one of the former Coalition Government’s flagship regional health investments, and will be among the biggest ever infrastructure projects in Temora’s history,” Ms Cooke said.

“I’m encouraging everyone in the community to review the design, and provide feedback to Health Infrastructure, to ensure it is fit-for-purpose, and meets the specific needs of our community.

“As I discussed with Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman at the recent Cootamundra Summit, the new hospital is an investment that will be a game-changer in the delivery of health services in the region, and will ensure Temora has a hospital that will serve the local community for years to come.

“Not only will the new hospital deliver enhanced health services for residents in and around Temora, but it is my hope that the new state-of-the-art facility will also attract clinicians to work and live here, which would be a big win for the whole community,” she said.

The new Temora Hospital will continue to provide emergency department services, as well as modern inpatient accommodation with beds available for medical, surgical, rehabilitation, palliative care, and maternity patients. Other facilities and services to be delivered include perioperative facilities for surgery and procedures, community and allied health, ambulatory clinics, and pathology. Medical imaging facilities will also be enhanced.

Community consultation sessions will be held:

• Thursday 15 February 2024 | Temora Council | 12:00pm – 2.00pm 
• Friday 16 February 2024 | Outside Ariah Park Coffee Bar | 8.30am- 9.30am
• Friday 16 February 2024 | Temora Council | 11.30am – 12.30pm
• Monday 19 February 2024 | Online session (register via email) | 6.00 – 7.00 pm

Photograph caption: Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke discussed the Temora Hospital redevelopment with Temora Shire Mayor Rick Firman at the recent Cootamundra Summit in Harden.

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.

Following close to 12 months of intense lobbying on behalf of the Boorowa community, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has helped secure over half a million dollars in State Government funding to go towards finding a solution to the town’s ongoing water supply issues.

Ms Cooke said the news of the funding came hot on the heels of her Cootamundra Summit last week, during which the Water Minister heard directly again from both herself and Hilltops Council, about the gravity of the situation.

“The Minister once again heard first-hand from myself, as well as from Hilltops Deputy Mayor Alison Foreman, and General Manager Anthony O’Reilly, about just how serious the situation in Boorowa has become, and how residents can’t rely on what is one of the most basic of needs, and that is turning on the water tap,” Ms Cooke said.

“I’m certainly pleased that having raised the issue again last week directly with the Minister, that the NSW Labor Government has finally acknowledged the concerns of local residents and of Hilltops Council, and has taken steps to rectify the problems around water quality in Boorowa once and for all.

“The current situation in Boorowa is of course simply unacceptable, and so today’s news that the NSW Labor Government has signed-off on an investment of just over half a million dollars, means that – together with a similar investment from Hilltops Council – close to one million dollars will now go towards a feasibility study to explore the option of constructing a water pipeline from Harden to Boorowa.

“This is a significant first step towards finding a lasting solution to what has become an untenable problem for Boorowa residents, who are still dealing with a boil water alert for what will be the third week in a row.

“Boorowa is expanding, but without the proper infrastructure in place, this growth will always be held back.

“Having safe and secure water supplies at our schools, hospitals, homes, and small businesses is a basic requirement, and it’s encouraging that Boorowa can now take the next significant step towards securing a reliable water supply; something many of us – particularly those in the metropolitan areas – take for granted,” she said.

Photograph caption: Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke with Hilltops Council Deputy Mayor Alison Foreman at the ‘Cootamundra Summit’ held in Harden last week.

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.

Almost 10,000 fish have been released across the Bland Shire during the latest restocking program, aimed at enhancing recreational fishing opportunities for enthusiasts young and old.

Having participated in various restocking projects across the electorate, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke congratulated the council on taking active steps to encourage local fishing – both for residents, and tourists to the region.

“Fish restocking obviously helps enhance the health of our waterways, but it has the added benefit of boosting tourism in our towns and villages, which is great news for the local economy,” Ms Cooke said.

“As well as the economic benefits, fishing is a wonderful activity for kids, and I know the council has a particular focus on creating an environment that encourages budding anglers to try their luck,” she said.

Bland Shire Council Environmental Officer Glenn Neyland said approximately 2,000 Golden Perch (also known as Yellowbelly or Murray Perch) were released at each of the five locations selected within the shire.

“The team released the fish in some of the old town water supply dams, and other larger dams in the area, including at Barmedman, West Wyalong wetlands, Ungarie, Weethalle, and Tallimba,” Mr Neyland said.

“The last restock that was undertaken was back in early 2022; it takes around two years for the fish to grow so this latest drop has been timed to ensure we see a continuous supply of fish in the dams.

“The council’s restocking program is very much about promoting recreational fishing; I often get feedback from younger members in the community about the fish they’ve caught, and the best spots to drop a line in,” he said.

Photograph caption: Steph Cooke with Leigh Logan from the Tara Native Fish Hatchery, who provided the fish for the restock.

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.

Australia Day is all about the importance of belonging to a community, and making a meaningful contribution to the lives of others, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said.

Ms Cooke travelled widely across the electorate to mark the occasion, and was on-hand for an Australia Day breakfast in Ariah Park, before meeting up with locals in Matong for the opening of the new hall. Ms Cooke rounded-out the day in Weethalle, celebrating with locals who had gathered for the opening of upgrades to the Country Club.

“Our communities are the absolute heart and soul of our towns and villages; it fills me with such pride to see people gathered together to share in the spirit of the day which to me, represents the strength of communities in uniting us and providing support when it’s need,” Ms Cooke said.

“From our Men’s Sheds, to our CWA groups, Meals on Wheels, youth groups, hospital auxiliaries, our Lions Clubs, the list goes on and on – they all have one thing in common: they provide a platform for people to connect, share stories, and appreciate the comradery of our communities,” she said.

Ms Cooke congratulated the recipients of Australia Day Awards across the electorate, including Eris Gleeson from Young, John Harper from Stockinbingal, Mary Sutcliffe from Narrandera, and Warwick Heckendorf also from Narrandera who all received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

“We need to nurture our sense of community, and it’s the hard work and dedication of people like those recognised with awards today, that help strengthen the bonds among residents, and play a vital role in fostering a sense of belonging,” Ms Cooke said.

Ms Cooke also acknowledged the ongoing conversations around Australia Day.

“It is right that we celebrate our achievements and progress, but it’s also important to recognise the perspectives of all Australians, and have open conversations that contribute to building a stronger nation; one that we are all very lucky to call home,” Ms Cooke said.

The Weethalle Country Club now has a new kitchen and ladies’ amenities thanks to a $240,300 investment by the previous NSW Coalition Government under the successful Stronger Country Communities Fund. The Matong Hall was made possible thanks to an investment by the previous Federal Coalition Government.

Image: Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke lent a hand on the barbecue and in the kitchen at the Australia Day breakfast held in Ariah Park.

Following a recent visit to the Men’s Shed in Harden, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is encouraging men of all ages across the electorate to consider joining their local shed, highlighting the many advantages joining-up can have for both young and old.

Ms Cooke said there are now more Men’s Sheds in operation across Australia than there are McDonalds, with a number of successful sheds operating across the electorate.

“The Men‘s Sheds in our local communities have a long and proud tradition of providing a place where members can get together, and not only share their skills and craftsmanship, but can also build friendships and enduring connections that provide benefits in so many ways,” Ms Cooke said.

“I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve visited the various Men’s Sheds across our Cootamundra electorate, but the one thing you can’t forget is the warm welcome you get every time you walk through the door.

“There’s often a misconception out there that the Men’s Shed is just for those who have perhaps retired from the workforce, or are more senior members of the community, when in fact men of all ages can benefit from what the groups have to offer.

“Whether it’s learning a new skill or just chatting about shared interests, members both young and old can forge new friendships and develop a comrade with others that they may otherwise be missing out on.

“So as 2024 gets underway, I’m encouraging men of all ages across the electorate, to consider dropping by your local Men’s Shed to learn a bit more about what they have to offer; I guarantee you’ll get a cuppa and a great yarn,” she said.

To find a shed that’s operating in your area, visit: www.mensshed.org or phone the electorate office on (02) 6382 2399.

Photograph caption: Steph Cooke dropped by the Men’s Shed in Harden recently to talk to members about their latest projects.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is calling on Water Minister Rose Jackson to take immediate action to fix the water supply issues that continue to plague the Boorowa community.

It follows a warning issued to residents that the drinking water is unsafe and must be boiled before use, a situation Ms Cooke said is completely unacceptable.

“The Water Minister is well aware of the water supply issues facing this community; I personally delivered a petition to her office in August last year, that made the situation regarding the water quality abundantly clear, and yet almost five months later, the Minister is nowhere to be seen,” Ms Cooke said.

Ms Cooke said more than 400 people put their names to the petition calling on the Water Minister to take urgent action to provide a secure potable water supply for Boorowa.

“The time has long past for the Water Minister to acknowledge the concerns of local residents and of Hilltops Council, and to take steps to rectify the problems around water quality and quantity in Boorowa once and for all,” Ms Cooke said.

“Inaction is no longer an option; the Water Minister must act now and make fixing Boorowa’s water a top priority in 2024,” she said.

Ms Cooke said there are steps the Water Minister can take in the short-term, to address the issue.

“If the Minister is serious about finding solutions to this ongoing problem, she could immediately sign-off on funding to explore the feasibility of the options that are on the table in 2024, including a proposal for a pipeline from Harden to Boorowa,” Ms Cooke said.

“Boorowa is expanding, but without the proper infrastructure in place, this growth will always be held back.

“Having safe and secure water supplies at our schools, hospitals, homes, and small businesses is a basic requirement, and if this city-centric NSW Labor Government is serious about giving our rural and regional communities every opportunity to thrive, they must govern for the entire state, and focus their attention on issues beyond the Great Divide,” she said.