Tag Archives: 2022

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed the news that an extra 65 newly graduated Registered Nurses (RNs) have this week commenced their careers in the Murrumbidgee Local Health District.

Ms Cooke said the graduates will make a huge difference to the region working at local hospitals including Coolamon, Cootamundra, Gundagai, Harden, Junee, Narrandera, Temora, West Wyalong and Young.

“These extra nurses will bolster our local health workforce, ensuring that residents of our towns and villages can live healthy, full lives,” Ms Cooke said. 

“Nearly all of the graduates have chosen to relocate from metro areas including Western Sydney, Newcastle and the Sutherland Shire, and it’s wonderful that these graduates have chosen to begin their careers in our small communities.”

Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the influx to the local workforce follows an earlier recruitment boost in February, which saw 54 graduate nurses commence in roles across the District.

“A further 49 newly graduated Registered Nurses will also come on board in August, making 2022 the largest ever graduate intake for the District,” Mrs Taylor said.

“It is our workforce that makes the NSW public health system the envy of the world, and it is wonderful to see these newly graduated Registered Nurses choosing to begin their careers in rural and regional NSW.

“As someone who spent the best part of their nursing career at a regional hospital, I know the skills and experience these new nurses will gain will set them up for success into their future nursing career.”

District Director of Nursing and Midwifery Ms Christine Stephens said this year’s intake of graduate nurses is more than double compared with last year’s recruitment.

“We are pleased to provide additional employment opportunities to so many graduates and it’s been incredibly gratifying to see so many fresh faces joining the fold,” Ms Stephens said.

“We warmly welcome both local and metropolitan graduates to the District. For those relocating to MLHD they bring their families and friends to our wonderful regional communities and we are delighted to showcase what the district has to offer.

“Previous graduates have applauded the learning opportunities that regional facilities across Murrumbidgee Local Health District have offered, and the reward of working as a part of our local communities.”

Throughout their first year, graduates are provided with opportunities in a variety of clinical settings to ensure they gain a range of experience and consolidate skills and knowledge developed during their studies.

Graduate nurses will begin employment with MLHD in 2022 at the following local hospitals: Batlow, Boorowa, Corowa, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Culcairn, Deniliquin, Finley, Griffith, Gundagai, Harden, Henty, Holbrook, Junee, Leeton, Lockhart, Narrandera, Temora, Tumut, Tumbarumba, Wagga Wagga, West Wyalong and Young.

Businesses and motorists across the Cootamundra electorate are set to benefit from $20 million in grants opening soon to establish Australia’s largest electric vehicle (EV) destination charging network.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke today welcomed the co-funded grants, with Round one opening on Monday 23 May 2022 to Friday 23 September 2022.

“In the first round alone, total funding allocation of $7 million has been committed to the project which will allow up to 3500 EV chargers to be rolled out across regional NSW,” Ms Cooke said.

“The NSW Government is determined to help local tourism providers by ensuring our regionhas the charging stations needed to welcome EV-driving visitors.”

“The grants range from $2000 to $40,000 per site for EV chargers across regional NSW, and were part of a $171 million investment in EV charging over the next four years.”

The EV destination charging grants will be offered on a co-funded basis for the purchase and installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers in regional areas, which can provide a top-up of up to 130km of range in an hour.

A range of destinations across regional NSW can apply for the grants, including motels, wineries, cafes, restaurants, natural attractions, visitor information centres, museums and zoos.

Ms Cooke said a series of EV tourist drives would also be developed across the state to promote EV travel across regional NSW, following the rollout of the EV chargers.

“This will grow our local economy and support small businesses in areas impacted by covid with multiple funding rounds through to 2024 supporting the growth of the EV destination charger network across regional NSW.”

The NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy aims to increase EV sales to 52 per cent of all new car sales by 2030-31, and the vast majority by 2035. 

Funding under the strategy also includes a $131 million investment for ultra-fast charging infrastructure and a $20 million investment in EV charging in commuter car parks, creating a world class charging network across the state.

The EV destination charging grants can be used for the purchase and installation of select electric vehicle (EV) chargers as well as software to tap into the smart capabilities of each charger. This includes:

• 75 per cent towards buying up to four alternating current (AC) destination chargers per site location
• 75 per cent towards charger installation (capped at $1000 per charger)
• 50 per cent towards a two-year charger software subscription

More information can be found here.

Work is set to begin next week on the second of three stages of pavement rehabilitation to improve safety on the Newell Highway.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the NSW Government has funded $3.5 million for this stage of work which will provide a safer and stronger road on a 1.8-kilometre section of the Newell Highway West of Grong Grong.

“Resurfacing and widening this stretch of road will improve the safety and driving experience for motorists,” Ms Cooke said.

“These enhancements will make the road more reliable, reducing the need for regular maintenance.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the NSW Government is committed to ensuring a safe and reliable road network for motorists across the state. 

“The Newell Highway is the main inland road link from Victoria to Queensland. It is used as a major freight transport route and connects a number of inland urban centres, including Dubbo and Parkes, Mr Farraway said.

“This work follows from the $2.5 million worth of road rehabilitation safety improvements carried on a 1.4-kilometre section of the Newell Highway near Gawnes Road in 2019. Stage 2 will continue these improvements further west along the Newell.”

Work on road rehabilitation, road widening, line marking and vegetation removal will start near Gawnes Road and join up with the Newell Highway realignment at Grong Grong.

Work will be carried out between 6am and 6pm Monday to Friday from Monday 16 May until Friday 9 September, weather permitting.

Traffic control, single lane closures and reduced speed limit of 40 km/h will be in place during work. Motorist are advised to allow for an additional five minutes travel time.

Transport for NSW thanks motorists for their patience while work is carried out. For the latest traffic updates call 132 701, visit livetraffic.com or download the Live Traffic NSW app.

A 43-metre-long span over Wambanumba Creek is one of four recently completed bridges in the Hilltops LGA that will improve freight access and enhance road safety. 

The Wambanumba Creek Bridge was officially opened today by the Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke, alongside the Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack and Hilltops Council Mayor Margaret Roles.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said due to structural issues, the previous bridge had been out of action for some years, but now an important connection has been returned for freight vehicles, school buses and general traffic.

“This new bridge ensures around 150,000 tonnes of essential agricultural produce like farm feed, eggs, grain and livestock can be transported more efficiently,” Ms Cooke said.

The replacement Wambanumba Creek Bridge received $1.23 million in funding through NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads program in 2019.

“In addition to this project, the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads program has also funded the $2.46 million Hannons Bridge on Murringo Gap Road, the $2.58 million Cudgell Creek Bridge on the Old Forbes Road, along with the $2.26 million Spring Creek Road bridge development,” Ms Cooke added.

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said projects such as Hannons Creek Bridge, which resulted in a wider concrete structure suitable for B-Double truck access, will help boost the local area’s economy.  

“The Hannons Creek Bridge project will reduce travel times for over 4,000 heavy vehicle movements a year, helping cut costs for the freight industry,” Mr Farraway said. 

“There will also be safety benefits as heavy vehicles can connect more directly with major routes and there will be reduced wear and tear on local roads.”  Since the commencement of the Fixing Country Roads program, Hilltops Council has received more than $17 million, including $10 million for bridge replacements, upgrades and repairs and $7 million for other road projects to improve freight access. 

The NSW Government has released a recommended proposal to memorialise the much-loved Prince Alfred Bridge in Gundagai, with members of the Gundagai community invited to provide feedback on the designs.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the proposal was developed following the assessment of the over 140 ideas put forward by Gundagai residents in September last year.

“The proposal recommends a memorial using salvaged timber, wire sculptures, historic photos and information, and technology to remember the bridge,” Ms Cooke said.

“The memorial concept aims to commemorate the bridge’s heritage, cultural and social significance while creating a new tourism site for Gundagai.”

“I strongly encourage Gundagai residents to provide feedback on the design to ensure it accurately reflects the massive role the Prince Alfred Bridge once played in the community.”

The memorial concept has been developed by consultant heritage architects Conrad Gargett in a Heritage Landscape Interpretation Strategy commissioned by the NSW Government.

Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the NSW Government is investing in Gundagai community by establishing this historic memorial.

“A big part of why people visit country towns like Gundagai is for the historic charm and that is why the NSW Government has committed to this memorial for the Prince Alfred Bridge,” Mr Anderson said.

“This will give people another reason to visit Gundagai, bringing money into the community and in turn creating valuable jobs.”

The recommended memorial would include features at the north end of the former bridge site off Sheridan Street as part of the Gundagai Heritage Walk, which would direct visitors to a second memorial site located on the floodplain.

It would include:

· A public viewing area off Sheridan Street. Timber gates made from salvaged timber would create a viewing point to a floating wire art sculpture that creates a 3D visual impression of the former bridge, looking toward a reinstated bridge trestle on the floodplain. Rustic seating would be provided using salvaged timber from the former bridge.

· An information panel at the viewing area with bridge photos, residents’ quotes, and a QR code to more online photos, information and a fly-through augmented reality experience recreating sights and sounds of the former bridge.

· Visitor access will be improved to the viewing area with car parking spaces, pedestrian crossings, line markings, bollards created from salvaged timber, and tourist signage.

· The reinstated bridge trestle on the floodplain at O.I. Bell Drive would feature a second elevated wire sculpture recreating motor vehicles crossing the bridge, a second information panel, a deconstructed timber deck at ground level, and more rustic timber seating.

Community feedback on the concept can be made online from Tuesday 17 May until Tuesday 31 May, or in person on Tuesday 17 May at Gundagai’s Foodworks and Woolworths (10.30-11am), Gundagai Services Club and Gundagai Library (12-1pm), or Gundagai Public School and Gundagai High School from (3-3.30pm). Once the community consultation period ends feedback will be assessed and the concept finalised. For further information and to provide feedback, please visit: Prince Alfred Bridge Memorial.

The NSW Government has launched a new Aboriginal Ranger Program designed to enhance Aboriginal peoples’ connection to country and provide meaningful career pathways.

The $5.95 million initiative will create employment and training opportunities for communities across the state, while also increasing the inclusion of traditional land management practices in on-ground projects.

The Rangers will work on key parts of the Local Land Services operation, including assisting landholders with livestock health, pests and weeds, biosecurity matters, native vegetation, and managing travelling stock routes.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the program is being delivered across multiple Local Land Services regions including the Riverina and Central West areas which encompass a large portion of the Cootamundra electorate.

“22 new Aboriginal staff will be recruited, including 16 trainee rangers based in local towns, and it’s so great we could be a part of it,” Ms Cooke said.

The program will provide Aboriginal people with culturally safe training, mentoring and support for their employment whilst also enabling them to remain local and connected to country.

“Culture and country is at the center of every Aboriginal person’s identity and this program is an amazing way to recognise that connection while also increasing workforce diversity in the region.”

Expressions of interest for the Aboriginal Ranger Program are now open. For more information, please visit: www.lls.nsw.gov.au/aboriginal-ranger

The NSW Government’s Regional Renewal Program is delivering improvements to schools with 45 projects across the Cootamundra electorate.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said it is great to see local schools benefiting from the NSW Government’s historic investment in public education infrastructure.

“This program has supported upgrades to local schools from every corner of the electorate no matter how big or small, including Wombat Public School and West Wyalong High School,” Ms Cooke said.

“Since its launch in 2020, 39 schools have benefited from these investments which are delivering new and improved facilities including car park and kitchen upgrades, the construction of COLA’s.”

Successful projects announced under Round 1, 2 and 4:

• Ardlethan Central School, Shade Structures & Walkways
• Barellan Central School, COLA, Shade Structures & Walkways
• Beckom Public School, Playground Upgrade
• Caragabal Public School, Toilet Upgrade
• Coolamon Central School, Toilet Upgrade
• Cootamundra High School, Hall, MPC, Gym & Communal Space Upgrade
• Cootamundra Public School, Playground Upgrade
• Cowra High School, Admin & Staff Upgrade
• Cowra Public School, Cricket Nets, Kitchen & Window Upgrades
• E A Southee Public School, Sports Court Upgrade & Shade Structure
• Eurongilly Public School, Admin & Staff Upgrade
• Gooloogong Public School, Admin & Staff Upgrade
• Grenfell Public School, Upgrade Basketball Courts
• Gundagai High School, Performance Unit Upgrade
• Gundagai Public School, Carpark & Transport
• Gundagai South Public School, Admin & Staff Upgrade
• Holman Place School, Landscaping & Shade Structure
• Illabo Public School, COLA, Shade Structures & Walkways
• Junee High School, Welding Bay Upgrade & Playground Equipment Replacement
• Junee Public School, Playground Upgrade
• Matong Public School, Sporting Facilities
• Mulyan Public School, Relocation of Kitchen
• Murringo Public School, Admin & Staff Upgrade
• Murrumburrah High School, Replacement of Doors, Roofing Upgrade, Install Automatic Doors at Front Entrance
• Murrumburrah Public School, Structural, Fabric & Building Upgrade
• Nangus Public School, Sporting Facilities
• Narrandera Public School, COLA, Shade Structures & Walkways
• Quandialla Public School, Playground Upgrade
• Temora High School, Admin and TAS Shed Upgrades
• Temora West Public School, Toilet Upgrade
• The Henry Lawson High School, Sporting Facilities
• Weethalle Public School, Toilet Upgrade
• West Wyalong High School, Toilet Upgrade
• West Wyalong Public School, Toilet Upgrade
• Wombat Public School, COLA & Covered Walkways
• Woodstock Public School, COLA, Shade Structures & Walkways
• Wyalong Public School, Playground Upgrade
• Young North Public School, Storage Facilities
• Young Public School, Upgrade PAA Areas

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the Regional Renewal Program is driven by what school communities want and includes work such as upgrades to school playgrounds, sport courts and libraries.

“I’m thrilled that regional projects are being delivered for our school communities,” Ms Mitchell said.

“This $120 million investment from government, combined with contributions from local school communities, is delivering for our regional schools providing students with engaging and modern learning spaces.”

The program is supporting more than 1,300 jobs across regional NSW, and wherever possible, local contractors and suppliers have been engaged ensuring the positive impacts of this stimulus are felt as far and wide as possible.

The NSW Government is investing $7.9 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

The Hume Highway is set to benefit from $815,000 in vital road safety works as the fifth round of the $822 million Safer Roads Program begins to roll out.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the program, which is funded through the Community Road Safety Fund and delivered in partnership with local councils, will deliver 44 new projects and fund the continuation of a number of projects from previous rounds.

“This project is a big win not only for our local region but the many freight operators and interstate travellers that drive along the Hume Highway,” Ms Cooke said

 “This funding will go towards the installation of vehicle activated signs and safety barriers at Mundarlo to ensure road users are kept as safe as possible when travelling along the route.”

“The NSW Government is committed to reducing the road toll and it’s estimated the Safer Roads Program will prevent around 1500 serious injuries and deaths on NSW roads over 15 years.”

Minister for Regional Roads and Transport Sam Farraway said that the NSW Government is committed to reducing this trauma and that is why the majority of funding for the Safer Roads Program has been invested in regional NSW.

“Country people make up around a third of NSW’s population but over the past five years deaths on country roads made up 67 per cent of our road toll,” Mr Farraway said.

“We are investing $640 million into the Saving Lives on Country Roads Initiative, and since 2018 have committed to delivering 469 projects in regional NSW to help prevent the serious injuries and deaths of country drivers.

“During 2022/23, $89 million will be invested in the Saving Lives on Country Roads Initiative to fund 24 new regional projects as well as a number of ongoing projects in regional NSW.

“The Safer Roads program is estimated to prevent around 1500 serious injuries and deaths on NSW roads over 15 years.”

Statewide this round of the Safer Roads Program will deliver:

• 32 kilometres of safety barriers, which absorb impact forces and protect vehicle occupants, reducing the severity of head-on and run-off-road crashes by up to 95 per cent.
• 32 kilometres of rumble strips to alert motorists they are departing from their lane, reducing the likelihood of this crash type by up to 25 per cent.
• 110 high-risk rural curve improvements including shoulder sealing, safety barriers, rumble strips, signage upgrades and line-marking upgrades.
• 14 urban intersection improvement projects including roundabouts and traffic signal upgrades.

See here for the full list of successful projects in NSW.

Women and children escaping domestic and family violence in the Cootamundra electorate will soon receive greater support with expressions of interest for the first of round of funding for new women’s refuges set to open on 9 May.

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is encouraging local organisations to apply for NSW Government funding to deliver new women’s refuges in our region.

“The NSW Government is prioritising supporting victim-survivors of Domestic Violence across NSW and this funding is being made available to deliver refuges to support women and children leaving violence,” Ms Cooke said.

“The roll out of new women’s refuges is the first step in helping victim-survivors start their new life, and I am very keen to see local organisations put in for this new funding opportunity.”

Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said the NSW Government’s $426 million commitment over four years to establish new refuges is the single largest investment in the state’s history to address domestic abuse.

“No one should live their life in fear, but all too often women stay in violent relationships because they feel they have nowhere to go,” Mrs Ward said.

“Our record investment shows we are sending a strong message that enough is enough. Women who make the courageous decision to leave an abusive partner can feel secure knowing they will have a safe haven to go to where they can begin rebuilding their lives.

Self-contained accommodation is located alongside services including counselling, legal assistance, and education and employment support.

The sites may also feature meeting rooms, audio-visual equipment for court appearances, communal kitchens, and playgrounds.

Next week, Minister Ward will host a roundtable with domestic violence advocacy groups, specialist homelessness services and peak bodies to discuss the roll out.

Expressions of interest will also open shortly to apply for the first round of funding and interested parties should monitor the NSW e-tendering site for the latest information: https://www.tenders.nsw.gov.au/ 

For confidential advice, support and referrals, contact: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), The NSW Domestic Violence Line (1800 65 64 63), NSW Rape Crisis (1800 424 017) or Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491). In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).

Landcare and environmental groups across Cootamundra Electorate have the opportunity to receive funding to restore riverbanks that have been damaged by recent natural disasters, thanks to a new NSW Government support program.

The $3 million Landcare Riparian Restoration Grant program will provide funding of up to $50,000 for groups to carry out on-ground projects such as riverbank and stream restoration, on-farm erosion works and tree planting.

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke said this program was integral to the continued health of local waterways while also providing an immediate boost to the local economy.

“It’s important to act now to repair and sure up affected waterways and riparian zones after the recent weather events, to try and offset some of the damage that has occurred and help prevent further deterioration,” Ms Cooke said.

“Even better, with groups engaging local contractors to help carry out the works, the grants will provide a direct cash injection for local businesses.”

Local Land Services will work with Landcare groups to administer the grants and will support them to deliver the on-ground works.

Grants of up to $50,000 are available per incorporated Landcare or natural resource management group. Joint submissions between multiple groups will also be considered up to a total value of $200,000.

Applications will close on Friday, 3 June at 5pm. For more information and to apply, visit www.lls.nsw.gov.au/landcare-grants The Landcare Riparian Restoration Grant program is funded through the NSW Government’s $200 million Regional Recovery Package.