The NSW Labor Government must commit to prioritising issues in rural and regional New South Wales during its second year in office, or else risk leaving communities west of the Great Divide behind.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said while progress has been made on Coalition-era projects, rural and regional areas have not been a top priority for the government over the past 12 months.
“There will be a lot of discussion about the progress – or lack thereof – that the NSW Labor Government has made since the election last year, and I could point to various programs and projects that have either been axed or significantly cut by this government,” Ms Cooke said.
“As a result, there are very real concerns that the NSW Labor Government simply does not have the needs and concerns of our regional communities at the top of their to-do list, and this is being conveyed to me by residents who are concerned about the future prospects of the regions, should this continue.
“Whether it be water infrastructure, our roads network, community infrastructure, sporting grounds, help with the cost-of-living, access to educational opportunities, policing resources and infrastructure, concerns around the severity and incidence of crime, access to vital health services, or housing, I am working hard every single day to bring all of these matters to the government’s attention.
“To that end I have held very constructive discussions in recent times with a number of ministers in key portfolios, including with the Regional Transport Minister, the Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education, the Local Government Minister, the Minister for Families and Communities, the Police Minister, and the Health Minister.
“During all of these meetings I’ve brought the issues and concerns of our communities to their immediate attention, ensuring they hear first-hand about the obstacles we’re facing,” she said.
Ms Cooke said one of the main challenges is the fact the government is very city-centric, with their MPs having little – if any – first-hand knowledge of the regions.
“It’s my intention to make sure they’re aware of the needs of our towns and villages, and to work with the government to progress large-scale infrastructure projects like the Cowra Hospital redevelopment, the Temora Hospital redevelopment, road infrastructure like the Wallendbeen Bridge, as well as finding solutions to water quality and supply issues like those facing Boorowa and Narrandera,” Ms Cooke said.
“I will continue to advocate for 24/7 policing in Cowra, and the need for a new police station in Young, and to that end we’ve had great success in forcing the government to commit to a regional crime inquiry that will canvas those very issues.
“I will never stop calling for equitable access to educational opportunities, and we’ve certainly had wins on that front recently, securing investments for preschools in both Cowra and Boorowa.
“At the end of the day, residents in our rural and regional communities should never feel like second class citizens, so it is incumbent upon this NSW Labor Government to remember that they’re governing for the entire state; they must never lose sight of the fact that the future prosperity of New South Wales depends on the health and prosperity of the regions,” she said.
