For years The Nationals party were seen as a voice for rural Australian's but the results from the 2019 NSW election has shown voters want a change. Although the tally is still yet to be finalised there are some clear winners in western NSW, with a mixture of members from the Shooters Fishers and Farmers (SFF) party and the Nationals party elected as members to represent their electorates. Member for Parkes Mark Coulton told 2WEB on Monday that he believes people in the electorate have sent a clear message on Saturday night that they wanted more to be done in the west. "A lot of people are frustrated, weary and a probably bit angry largely because of the drought and the conditions around it," Mr Coulton said. "I think the fact also that the Labor party pretty well deserted their candidate from Broken Hill and went to the Shooters, that was the clincher." The Western Magazine covers a wide area of Western NSW and put forward questions to its electorate members to find out the biggest issues facing rural people in their communities, how they plan to resolve it and how long it will take. According to the NSW State Election 2019 results, it was a close win for SFF member Roy Butler in the seat of Barwon, with 33.43 per cent of votes, just ahead of the Nats Andrew Schier at 29.48 per cent. Mr Butler said water was the number one priority. "And as I've travelled around the electorate whether you're in the west of the electorate people talk to you about management of water in the Darling River, or in the east of the electorate when people talk to you about protecting ground water in the aquifers that make up the Great Artisan Basin from the risks around coal seam gas," he said. Mr Butler has a 10 point strategy on the Murray Darling Basin and said he has been very clear in what he hopes to do. The first three strategies are the first things he looks to resolve, they include; to have a better understanding of environmental water, resolve decision making back to locals and consistent metering. "We'd like to see those things implemented… those first three things would fit in well with a five year pause in the plan in the recovery targets and that enables those things to take effect," he said. "We need to ensure that when we do get rain and we do get water through the system that we're managing it correctly." In terms of how this will be achieved, Mr Butler explained it will be through Parliament and what the people want. "Both myself and Helen Dalton have been leading in the primary votes and I think that gives us a fairly clear mandate to take that 10 point strategy to Parliament," he said. "To say the people that actually live on the Murray Darlign Basin have voted for this, this is what they want. "If government doesn't want to play with that and doesn't want to do the right thing then what we'd look to do is use the minor parties and the upper House to use the balance of power in the Upper House to force the government to implement that 10 point strategy. In terms of time-frame, Mr Butler said he would like to see it happen quickly. "Because if we do get rain… I'd love to see some of that water come down and benefit everyone…," he said. In the state electoral district of Bathurst, The Nationals Paul Toole was reelected as the Member for Bathurst with 55.68 per cent of votes coming his way. Mr Tool said water security is a major issue and the NSW Government was committed to addressing this. "Pipelines linking towns and villages to major storage impoundments are a priority," he said. "In this regard investigations are already underway to establish pipeline linking Lake Rowlands and Carcoar Dam. "In February I opened the Orange to Blayney and Carcoar pipeline, marking the formal completion of the 61 kilometre underground pipeline linking the Macquarie and Lachlan water catchments and this will help underpin water security in the region." Mr Toole said a number of other initiatives are being looked at, so further announcements are expected to be rolled out. Another issue Mr Toole spoke about was transport and connectivity. "Greater connectivity is vital for the economy and the NSW Government has given the green light for the $2.5 billion Great Western Highway duplication for the full 31 kilometre stretch from Katoomba to Lithgow," he said. "In the short term construction will begin in the following locations: Medlow Bath upgrade; Mount Victoria bypass; and Jenolan Caves Road to South Bowenfels. Planning and design will begin on Katoomba to Medlow Bath; Medlow Bath to Blackheath; Blackheath bypass tunnel; Blackheath to Mount Victoria." Mr Toole said he also looks forward to the commencement of the second Bathurst Bullet daily train service which is expected to be up and running in the first quarter of 2020. "This will give residents greater access to the metropolitan area and provide additional choices for people who are travelling," he said. Ms Cooke became the Member for Cootamundra in October 2017, after a by-election that followed the retirement of long-serving MP Katrina Hodgkinson. She retained this role after receiving 64.36 per cent of votes. Ms Cooke said the biggest issue in the Cootamundra electorate is the same as for any other part of the state, being heard in Parliament and receiving support from the NSW Government. "It is a challenge I have been working at since I was first given the honour of representing this community, and this weekend's result will allow me to continue in this fantastic role.," she said. "I have been making our voices heard, I will continue to do so for the next four years, and I will work with communities and groups across the electorate to secure infrastructure, services and grants in the same committed way as I have done since October 2017. "I will be in the privileged position of being part of the NSW Government, which gives me strong cause for optimism that I can continue bringing resources to the Cootamundra electorate and continue securing this region's role as the best part of NSW to call home." At the time of going online Mr Saunders had the majority of votes at 38.16 per cent for the Dubbo electorate, and will likely be the Member for Dubbo. Mr Saunders said overwhelmingly the main issue for rural people and communities continues to be the ongoing drought. "The Nationals in Government will add a further $350 million to the highly-successful Farm Innovation Fund helping more farmers access cash to drought-proof their farms," he said. "We will also expand the Drought Assistance Program to ease the financial strain felt by farmers in NSW. This will take the Farm Innovation Fund to $1 billion and our total drought support package to nearly $1.5 billion. "Part of that will see an increase to the loan amount from $250,000 to $1 million per farming business. "We will also simplify the application process, allowing farmers to apply for loans more than once a year and allow for farming cooperatives to apply for shared-infrastructure." Mr Saunders said the community surveys he ran over the past five months clearly indicate the other top issues across the electorate are – access to health, better roads, and connectivity. "The Nationals are delivering a re-developed hospital for Dubbo and a new hospital for Mudgee with better access to doctors and all other health services, including 380 new nurses and health workers for the region," he said. "Investment in roads is at an all-time high, with $31.9 billion spent on Regional NSW roads since 2011, and a budget of around $50 million for this year. "Connectivity issues and mobile black spots are being targeted with a $400 million investment into more towers and data hubs." Mr Donato received an overwhelming majority of votes, 49.89 per cent, within his electorate to retain his seat. Mr Donato did not respond in time of deadline.
For years The Nationals party were seen as a voice for rural Australian's but the results from the 2019 NSW election has shown voters want a change.
Although the tally is still yet to be finalised there are some clear winners in western NSW, with a mixture of members from the Shooters Fishers and Farmers (SFF) party and the Nationals party elected as members to represent their electorates.
Member for Parkes Mark Coulton told 2WEB on Monday that he believes people in the electorate have sent a clear message on Saturday night that they wanted more to be done in the west.
"A lot of people are frustrated, weary and a probably bit angry largely because of the drought and the conditions around it," Mr Coulton said.
"I think the fact also that the Labor party pretty well deserted their candidate from Broken Hill and went to the Shooters, that was the clincher."
The Western Magazine covers a wide area of Western NSW and put forward questions to its electorate members to find out the biggest issues facing rural people in their communities, how they plan to resolve it and how long it will take.
Roy Butler, MP for Barwon Electorate – Shooters, Fishers and Farmers:
Roy Butler. Photo: ZAARKACHA MARLAN
According to the NSW State Election 2019 results, it was a close win for SFF member Roy Butler in the seat of Barwon, with 33.43 per cent of votes, just ahead of the Nats Andrew Schier at 29.48 per cent.
Mr Butler said water was the number one priority.
"And as I've travelled around the electorate whether you're in the west of the electorate people talk to you about management of water in the Darling River, or in the east of the electorate when people talk to you about protecting ground water in the aquifers that make up the Great Artisan Basin from the risks around coal seam gas," he said.
Mr Butler has a 10 point strategy on the Murray Darling Basin and said he has been very clear in what he hopes to do.
The first three strategies are the first things he looks to resolve, they include; to have a better understanding of environmental water, resolve decision making back to locals and consistent metering.
"We'd like to see those things implemented… those first three things would fit in well with a five year pause in the plan in the recovery targets and that enables those things to take effect," he said.
"We need to ensure that when we do get rain and we do get water through the system that we're managing it correctly."
In terms of how this will be achieved, Mr Butler explained it will be through Parliament and what the people want.
"Both myself and Helen Dalton have been leading in the primary votes and I think that gives us a fairly clear mandate to take that 10 point strategy to Parliament," he said.
"To say the people that actually live on the Murray Darlign Basin have voted for this, this is what they want.
"If government doesn't want to play with that and doesn't want to do the right thing then what we'd look to do is use the minor parties and the upper House to use the balance of power in the Upper House to force the government to implement that 10 point strategy.
In terms of time-frame, Mr Butler said he would like to see it happen quickly.
"Because if we do get rain… I'd love to see some of that water come down and benefit everyone…," he said.
Paul Toole, MP for Bathurst Electorate – The Nationals:
Paul Toole. Photo: Supplied.
Mr Tool said water security is a major issue and the NSW Government was committed to addressing this.
"Pipelines linking towns and villages to major storage impoundments are a priority," he said.
"In this regard investigations are already underway to establish pipeline linking Lake Rowlands and Carcoar Dam.
"In February I opened the Orange to Blayney and Carcoar pipeline, marking the formal completion of the 61 kilometre underground pipeline linking the Macquarie and Lachlan water catchments and this will help underpin water security in the region."Read More – Source
[contf]
[contfnew]
Nyngan Observer
[contfnewc]
[contfnewc]
