Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke and Narrandera Mayor Neville Kschenka criticised the state budget. Photo: Facebook Narrandera Shire Council.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and Narrandera Mayor Neville Kschenka have expressed their disappointment at the state budget, which they say fails to deliver any new funding for vital infrastructure and services in their areas.
“While we welcome ongoing investment in regional health infrastructure in parts of the electorate, Narrandera Shire has once again been overlooked in this budget,” Mayor Kschenka said.
“Despite strong advocacy and growing community need, there is still no funding for urgent upgrades to the Canal Bridge, which remains a critical link for local traffic, emergency services, and freight transport. This is a missed opportunity for a long-standing safety and infrastructure issue.”
Ms Cooke said there was still no funding for vital health, water, or road infrastructure in towns such as Cootamundra, Coolamon, Grenfell and Boorowa, as well as Narrandera.
“With minimal investment in social housing, no new drought preparedness measures, and a continued lack of support for water infrastructure and major roads, the Minns Labor Government has once again overlooked the needs of rural and regional NSW,” she said.
“Cowra Hospital is without a doubt the single biggest public infrastructure project for the Cootamundra electorate, and while we are well into that build, there is still a long way to go – so this year’s commitment by the NSW Government to continue that project is very much welcomed.
“Unfortunately, we are yet to see any funding for new health infrastructure projects in Cootamundra, Coolamon and Grenfell, which are critical for the ongoing health and wellbeing of those communities.”
Labor spokesperson for Cootamundra, Griffith-born MP Stephen Lawrence, took a different view on the budget.
“There’s understandably a focus on electorate-specific items, but while there’s plenty for Cootamundra it’s more important to look at the statewide investments,” he said.
“In this budget, there’s the biggest ever investment by a government in child protection, there’s the biggest ever investment in biosecurity, which is huge for the agricultural sector … most of the money that’s invested is for things that cross over into multiple electorates.”
He said he commended Ms Cooke for her dogged advocacy for her electorate.
“But the government’s position is that it is a good budget for Cootamundra and the state,” he said.
Mayor Kschenka highlighted the absence of any allocation for water infrastructure under the Safe and Secure Water program.
“Narrandera’s water supply system is ageing and requires urgent investment. Council has been seeking assistance for a new water filtration plant and the continued lack of funding to support this essential infrastructure is deeply disappointing,” said Mayor Kschenka.
He was also upset with the lack of social housing funding pledged to address Narrandera’s long and growing housing waitlist.
“For a budget promoted as delivering on health and housing, the failure to invest in new social housing for Narrandera is simply unacceptable,” he said.
“We have families, seniors, and vulnerable residents waiting far too long for safe and secure housing.
“Once again, rural and regional communities like ours are being asked to do more with less. The resilience of our residents is unmatched, but resilience is not a substitute for investment.”
He said Narrandera Council would continue to fight for its fair share.
