Regional Voices Being Heard in Canberra

24 August 2015 Mayor: Councillor Des Manwaring General Manager: Robert Hunt

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA RELEASE Regional Voices Being Heard in Canberra

Lachlan Shire Council together with Central NSW Councils (Centroc), met with Federal Ministers and representatives at Parliament House to advocate for the region on several key areas.

Regional priorities discussed included NBN and mobile coverage, freight and transport infrastructure and regional health workforce. These topics were discussed in detail as outlined in comprehensive Regional Priority Infrastructure Plans developed by Centroc and Regional Development Australia Central West.

Priority plans for water and transport have been completed and plans for communications, energy, health, education, sport and culture are underway. These plans will facilitate additional meetings with Ministers and local representatives in the future.

Centroc board meetings are held with both State and Federal Parliament annually and are critical in ensuring regional voices are part of the conversation at all levels of government.

The Federal Member for Hume, Angus Taylor, was instrumental in co-ordinating the meeting in Canberra which brought together Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Mayors, General Managers and stakeholders including RDA Central West, the NSW Department of Premier, Cabinet and Central Tablelands Water, to one table to progress issues of regional significance. Member for Calare John Cobb, and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, were also involved in the meeting.

Ministers who met with Centroc representatives in Canberra last week include the Minister for Health, Susan Ley, the Assistant Minister for Health Senator Fiona Nash, the Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the Minister for Industry and Science Ian Macfarlane, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer Kelly O’Dwyer, the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Environment Bob Baldwin, and the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture Senator Richard Colbeck.

Mayor of Lachlan Shire Council Des Manwaring said these meetings are about building relationships and ensuing regional voices are heard.

Summary: Regional Voices Being Heard in Canberra Authorised By: Robert Hunt Contact: Lachlan Shire Council General Manager Ph: (02) 6895 1900 Distribution: Local Media, Council Website, Council Face book page.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA RELEASE

“It is essential that Council, in collaboration with Centroc, make the connections and advocate strongly on the issues that affect regional communities,” said Councillor Manwaring.

“Consistent, strong advocacy is essential if we want to see infrastructure development or if we want to have an influence in the development of good agricultural planning,” said Councillor Manwaring.

RELEASE ENDS

Image: Centroc Board outside Parliament House 12 August 2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA RELEASE

Image: Angus Taylor and Centroc Mayors, Parliament House 12 August 2015