Cooke Fights To Get Regional Needs At The Top Of Government’s To-Do List

Aware of the concerns of residents within her electorate, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has declared that she is committed to championing the needs of the regions and doing her best to ensure that those needs make it to the top of the Government’s to-do list.

“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 services, or housing, I am working hard every single day to bring all of these matters to the Government’s attention,” Ms Cooke said.

“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 have brought the issues and concerns of our communities to their immediate attention, ensuring they hear first-hand about the obstacles we’re facing.”

Ms Cooke said one of the main challenges was the fact the Government was 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 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.”

Ms Cooke said it was incumbent upon the NSW Government to remember that they are governing for the entire state and should never lose sight of the fact that the future prosperity of NSW depends on the health and prosperity of the regions.

• Topics:

• Government
• Community