Category Archives: Weddin Shire

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

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 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 has applauded all those involved in the 2023 National Cherry Festival in Young, praising their dedication and hard work in making the event a resounding success.

Ms Cooke commended the meticulous planning of the organisers, volunteers, and sponsors, who all contributed to the festival’s success.

“This year’s event was hands-down one of the greatest National Cherry Festivals Young has ever seen,” Ms Cooke said.

“I had a wonderful weekend experiencing the sights and sounds of the festival. Young came alive and was such a hive of activity; I spoke to so many people who all commented on the vibrancy of the town, and the wonderful activities and attractions on offer,” she said.

Ms Cooke said the festival’s diverse array of activities, from cherry picking, to live musical entertainment, wood-chopping, carnival rides, pie-eating competitions, and live poetry performances, made it a memorable experience for all.

“Congratulations to the organisers for once again putting together an amazing event, and to all those who took part – from the musicians, to the float organisers, to those who marched in the parade, the market stall-holders, the council staff, the list goes on – it was a big effort, and one that well and truly paid off,” Ms Cooke said.

“A big congratulations also to the winners of the various festival prizes, including Young High School for ‘best overall’ in this year’s parade, and Young Public School for ‘best cherry-themed float’,” she said.

Ms Cooke also highlighted the festival’s role in promoting local businesses, fostering tourism, and highlighting Young as a vibrant regional hub.

“It’s events like this that contribute significantly to the prosperity and growth of our region. It’s become such a popular drawcard for visitors on the region’s calendar, and it’s all thanks to the unwavering commitment of organisers and participants,” Ms Cooke said.

Photograph caption: Steph Cooke was on hand to help officially open this year’s National Cherry Festival alongside (from left), Hilltops Deputy Mayor Alison Foreman, Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack, Hilltops Mayor Marg Roles, Young High School student Bella Charles, and reigning Cherry Queen Brianna Long.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is encouraging community groups to secure the region’s fair share of state government investment, and apply for funding under the latest round of the Clubgrants Category 3 Infrastructure Grants Program.

“We want to make sure that we continue to see the same level of investment in our regional towns and villages, as we saw under the previous Coalition Government, so it’s important we put our hand up and let the NSW Labor Government know about the projects in need of support west of the Great Divide,” Ms Cooke said.

“The Clubgrants Category 3 Program, reinvests profits from gaming machines into community projects, and is crucial in supporting initiatives that contribute to the development and improvement of our communities.

“Infrastructure grants of between $50,000 up to $300,000 are available to not-for-profit community organisations and local councils, and are delivered across four categories: arts and culture, community infrastructure, sport and recreation, and disaster readiness.

“The funding can be used for halls, sports centres, playgrounds and swimming pools, capital equipment, evacuation centres, museums, art galleries, and cultural centres.

“These groups are the lifeblood of many communities, and I want these organisations to not just keep their doors open, but to grow and prosper.

“This kind of funding helps empower local organisations to undertake projects that matter most to our community members.

“Applications close on Monday the 18th of December 2023, so I certainly encourage groups that are thinking about applying, to start putting their application together as soon as possible.

“Any groups seeking assistance with their application are invited to contact my office for support,” she said.

For more information or to apply, visit:

www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/clubgrants-category-3-fund

Nowlans Road at Bimbi is set for an overhaul with funding of $2,998,632 secured by Weddin Shire Council through the latest round of the NSW Nationals’ $500 million Fixing Local Roads program.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the project is one of eight successful projects in the electorate, allowing Council to undertake crucial rehabilitation and maintenance works.

“It is important that we keep roads like Nowlans Road maintained as this road connects the village Bimbi, Quandialla with Grenfell, through Back Piney Range road,” Ms Cooke said. 

“Road users have made regular contact with me about the condition of our road network, so I am very pleased to have secured this funding to support much-needed repairs.”

Weddin Shire Council General Manager Ms Noreen Vu said this funding will allow key safety improvements for users of the road.

“Works will include reshaping the pavement, shoulders and batters, sealing the unsealed section to improve drainage which will both increase the resilience to heavy vehicle movements, inclement weather; and better connection from Bimbi to Weddin Mountain and Grenfell,” Ms Vu said.

“Nowlans Road is the only access road towards Weddin Mountain through Bimbi for tourists of Western Region. It feeds multiple primary producing farms, and as such is traversed by a high percentage of heavy vehicles particularly during harvest season,

“The road is narrow and 75% of the road is unsealed making it unsafe to travel, forcing vehicles to veer off the seal and onto the batters whenever trucks, buses or other cars approach,

“This is complicated by multiple pipe culverts with steep drop-offs hard against the road edge. Also even after slight rain event water goes over the road making it unsafe for vehicles to safely navigate.”

Further information can be found at https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/operations/roads-and-waterways/business-and-industry/partners-and-suppliers/local-government-17

Expressions of Interest (EOI) for local GP clinics to participate in a state-wide rollout of the Single Employer Model for rural doctors are well underway.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said EOIs were being undertaken now via the NSW Division of Regional Health, Local Health Districts (LHDs) and Primary Health Networks (PHNs) in preparation for the first intake of doctors across the region early next year.

“Despite GPs being the responsibility of the Federal Government, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has been actively looking for solutions to the GP workforce shortage in rural and regional NSW,” Ms Cooke said.

“This could see doctors undertaking advanced training at Cowra and Young Hospitals as early as next year, and eventually networked out to health facilities in areas such as Cootamundra, Gundagai, Temora, Narrandera, West Wyalong and Grenfell.”

“The Single-Employer Model originally designed by, built and trialled out in parts of Southern NSW is showing real promise in helping with the GP shortages that are impacting our communities. I’m pleased to see that concrete steps are being taken here in the Cootamundra electorate to establish the program.

“The EOI stage will identify which GP practices wish to participate in hosting and supervising a doctor in their practice, on the days they are not working in the local hospital.

“I know that GP shortages are a concern, so I strongly encourage all GP clinics and practice managers across the Cootamundra electorate to contact their Local Health District or the PHN to express a firm interest in this great program if they have the capacity to participate.”

A formal Memorandum of Understanding is yet to be signed between NSW and the Commonwealth to formalise the required arrangements and federal exemptions, however, NSW is ready for a state-wide rollout of the program. By beginning the EOI process, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is ensuring that regional areas are set and ready to receive new doctors.

The Single-Employer Model is commonly known as the Rural Generalist Training Pathway or the Murrumbidgee model, and was first trialled in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District in 2020. Since its inception, it has been lauded as an important step in giving trainee GPs the chance to work in private practices and local hospitals to provide a greater range of care for local patients.

The model allows seamless transition between hospital and General Practice training placements. Trainees are employed on up to a four year contract (depending on level of entry to the pathway) and remuneration and award entitlements align with other medical specialty training giving certainty and the protection of the industrial award.

Grenfell will be one of 46 locations across regional NSW to get connected to fast and reliable fixed wireless internet, thanks to the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Gig State $50 million agreement with NBN Co.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the agreement will lead to improved internet services in Grenfell.

“Faster, more reliable internet means a boost for education and job opportunities, it will open more healthcare options, and connect more people, making everyday tasks easier,” Ms Cooke said.

“I’m very pleased that residents and businesses across Grenfell will soon be able to enjoy the benefits and opportunities that this project will bring in terms of digital connectivity. 

“Digital connectivity is an essential part of how we work, learn, stay safe and remain in contact with loved ones.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the landmark agreement with NBN Co will build a network of 56 new and co-located fixed wireless towers, boosting internet services for more than 11,000 homes and businesses across the State.

“This is one of the largest ever digital infrastructure investments by the NSW Government,” Mr Toole said.

“Whether you’re running a household or a business, you need fast, reliable internet. This investment will ensure small communities in remote, coastal and rural areas have access to reliable, fast broadband internet and a choice of service providers, at comparative prices and speeds as metropolitan Sydney.

“Our focus with Gig State is to improve services for communities who can currently only access a satellite internet connection, such as Wilcannia in the Far West, Kundabung on the North Coast, Goolgowi in the Riverina.”

The NBN Co agreement is the first of its kind, signed as part of the $60 million Gig State grants announced in 2022, with additional agreements expected in the coming months.

NBN Co will commence detailed planning across the 46 regional locations and will provide these communities with more details about the rollout in the coming months.

The network of 56 new and co-located nbn fixed wireless towers will be rolled out incrementally and will be completed by the end of 2025.

The $100 million Gig State project is part of the Regional Digital Connectivity program funded by the $4.2 billion Snowy Hydro Legacy Fund, dedicated to transformational infrastructure investment across regional NSW.

For more information on the Regional Digital Connectivity program, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/connectregionalnsw.

Five projects across schools in the electorate will see more students with a green thumb thanks to the NSW Government’s $10 million Sustainable Schools Grants.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this investment by the NSW Government will deliver hands-on, sustainable-focused projects that link to the NSW Curriculum.

“I am thrilled that we have seen two schools being Naradhan Public School and Henry Lawson High School under round three and a further three schools, being Cootamundra Public School, Woodstock Public School and Wyalong Public School under round four in the electorate taking part in this great initiative,” Ms Cooke said.

“Our region is passionate about sustainability and this program inspires and empowers students and schools to develop ideas and implement plans that will benefit the environment by helping to save energy or water, reduce waste, or improve biodiversity.”

“I know the whole community joins me in looking forward to seeing these wonderful projects soon come to life at our local schools.”

Round 3 Schools and projects include:

• Naradhan Public School will receive $15,000 for a sensory, native indigenous garden.

• Henry Lawson High School in Grenfell will receive $15,000 to create its own community produce garden.

Round 4 Schools and projects include:

• Cootamundra Public School will receive $15,000 to establish ‘Waste Busters’ project, to minimise waste and educate students on waste management.

• Woodstock Public School will receive $14,912 to construct Woodstock’s Wholesome Community Food Garden

• Wyalong Public School will receive $15,000 for an inclusive and sustainable Kitchen Garden

Henry Lawson High School Principal, Mr Aaron Flagg said the main objective of this initiative is to create a garden that is open to the public.

“The garden encourages students and the local school community to explore ideas and solutions around sustainable food production, green waste management and reducing food miles by producing locally for school and community use,” Mr Flagg said.

“Initially, the garden will be planned and constructed by our year 7 STEM class as well as other school and community groups to encourage ownership of the garden and to foster long-term participation in food production and management within the community.”

Naradhan Public School Relieving Teaching Principal, Ms Tracy Johnston said Native plants will be used with the aim of teaching our children about bush tucker, and the other uses for plants by our indigenous ancestors

“The garden will be located at the entrance to the school, providing students, staff and visitors with a sensory experience as they walk through the project to the school buildings,” Ms Johnston said.

“We look forward to our students being able to access the garden in the near future.”

The NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.