Cootamundra Mayoral Summit Drives 2024 Advocacy Agenda

Representatives from local governments across the Cootamundra electorate gathered in Harden on Friday, February 2 for the 6th annual Mayoral Summit hosted by local MP Steph Cooke.

Ms Cooke said the summit, held at the RFS Fire Control Centre, brought 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 (LGAs) within the Cootamundra electorate,” Ms Cooke said.

“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.

“The annual Cootamundra Summit is an opportunity for us all to come together and listen to the issues facing different LGAs, 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.”

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.”

Attendees were given the opportunity to ask questions directly of Water and 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 and 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.

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