Steph Cooke MP
Member for Cootamundra

Steph Cooke MP at the Narrandera Shire Council Chambers. The NSW Labor Government has failed to sign the required Deed of Agreement to progress Narrandera’s Water Treatment Plant business case, nearly six months after Commonwealth funding was awarded. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, said the ongoing delay is preventing Narrandera Shire Council from progressing critical work to deliver clean drinking water to the community. In December last year, the Commonwealth Gove

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, is calling on the NSW Minister for Agriculture to urgently deliver a fair compensation package for blue mallee and broombush farmers who have been unable to operate for nearly two years due to restrictive native vegetation mapping. Ms Cooke said the Agriculture Minister had been “missing in action” throughout the ongoing crisis, despite the devastating impact the Government’s decisions were having on farming families, regional jobs, and

Steph Cooke MP, with Hilltops Mayor Brian Ingram and SES personnel at SES Harden Residents across the Cootamundra electorate are being encouraged to wear orange next Wednesday as part of Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW Day), a national campaign recognising the dedication of State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers. Held during National Volunteer Week, WOW Day celebrates the thousands of SES volunteers who respond to emergencies, including storms, floods, road crashes and rescues a

Steph Cooke MP with her mother, Marie Cooke. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, is encouraging residents to celebrate Mum in a way that gives back by choosing local businesses for gifts, dining, and experiences. From florists and boutiques to cafés, restaurants and salons, there is no shortage of thoughtful options across the electorate to make the day memorable while supporting the people who keep local communities vibrant all year

Steph Cooke MP with representatives from Tresillian, Cowra Council, and Richard Crookes Construction Families attending Tresillian’s Cowra Centre will benefit from safer, more accessible parking and improved driveway access, following a $70,000 contribution from Richard Crookes Construction. The funding has supported significant upgrades to the centre’s car park and entryway, enhancing safety and making arrivals easier for parents with babies, prams and young children. Th

Retiring paramedic Stephen Pollard with Steph Cooke MP. After an extraordinary 50-year career in emergency service, one of New South Wales’s longest-serving paramedics has officially retired. Stephen Pollard’s career spans the transformation of paramedicine from a transport-focused service into a highly skilled, frontline medical profession. For the past 30 years, Mr Pollard has been stationed at the Young Ambulance Station. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, paid tribute t

Steph Cooke MP on ANZAC Day 2026 at Bribbaree War Memorial, Bribbaree. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, is encouraging local councils, RSL sub-branches, and community groups to apply for the 2026/27 Community War Memorials fund. Since its inception in 2008, the program has been a cornerstone of heritage preservation in New South Wales, ensuring that monuments dedicated to servicemen and women remain standing for future generations. Ms Cooke said the fund provides vital fi

Steph Cooke MP and former Junee Show Society Peter Commens Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, is encouraging local organisations and Councils to apply for grants to strengthen residents' wellbeing. Applications are now open for the 2026 Community Building Partnership program, offering grants of $10,000-$100,000 for small infrastructure projects. Ms Cooke is urging locals to join the likes of Junee Show Society, Grenfell PAH&I Association, Mirrool Silo Kick Challenge com

Transport for NSW has required school buses to operate on pupil-free days despite mounting concern over the availability and affordability of fuel. Numerous bus operators in the Cootamundra Electorate have contacted their local member, Steph Cooke, because they’re being required to operate empty buses on Monday and Tuesday, even though children aren’t expected to need their services. At the commencement of the Easter school holidays, Ms Cooke called upon the NSW Labor Gov

Steph Cooke MP with members of the Federal Coalition, and Narrandera Shire Council. "This is a milestone in our journey to achieve clean drinking water for the people of Narrandera. For the past three and a half years, since the 2022 floods, two issues have dominated this community. The first one is their stormwater. The second one is their drinking water. "Council and I have worked doggedly on both issues simultaneously. We've got $17 million to fix the stormwater issues h

Residents across the Cootamundra electorate are encouraged to come together this ANZAC Day to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who have served, and to show their support for Australia’s veterans and current service personnel. This year marks 111 years since Australian and New Zealand troops landed at Gallipoli, an event that helped shape our national identity and enduring values. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, said ANZAC Day holds deep significance for comm

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is encouraging local sporting groups to apply for their share of $500,000 to help improve female participation in sports, both on and off the field. The Play Her Way Innovation Program is part of a four-year strategy to strengthen opportunities for girls and women across the state, helping them take up a new sport or continue in their chosen field. “Women and girls deserve equal opportunities to participate, lead and thrive in sport, and

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is calling on the NSW Government for a ‘Fuel for Harvest’ guarantee, and to outline the measures they will implement to ensure farmers will have access to fuel during the critical 2026 harvest period, and beyond. The call follows statements from Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen that fuel supplies are secured “until May”, leaving farmers uncertain about the future beyond the autumn sowing window. Ms Cooke said the NSW Government must g

Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is calling on the NSW Government to increase subsidy rates under the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS), to support rural patients accessing life-saving care. IPTAAS provides financial assistance to patients who must travel for specialist medical treatment not available locally, subsidising travel and accommodation costs. However, patients using a private vehicle receive only 40 cents per kilometre and

Steph Cooke MP with Narrandera Mayor Neville Kschenka. Pedestrian and cyclist safety across Narrandera Shire is set for a major boost, with $1.29 million in new funding to deliver safer, more accessible local infrastructure. The investment will support key upgrades in both Narrandera and Grong Grong, targeting areas where residents regularly walk and cycle but face safety risks. In Narrandera, $997,200 will fund the construction of a shared footpath and a new pedestrian b

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, is encouraging local event organisers to apply for funding to support both established and new events across the electorate. The Destination NSW Regional Event Fund has been created to support events in regional areas with the potential to become a flagship tourism event, attracting overnight visitors and delivering long-term benefits to the region. Ms Cooke is encouraging local organisers, associations, councils, and community groups

Steph Cooke MP with 2024 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll inductee Jen Sturrock. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is calling on residents across the electorate to recognise the extraordinary contributions of local women by nominating them for the 2026 Hidden Treasures Honour Roll. The Honour Roll, coordinated by the NSW Rural Women’s Network, celebrates the often-unseen efforts of women who dedicate their time to supporting community groups, sporting clubs, emergency services,

Steph Cooke MP at the Mary Gilmore Way railway crossing near Bribbaree. Design work for a significant upgrade to the railway crossing along Mary Gilmore Way at Bribbaree has commenced following a vocal campaign to improve safety at the site. Transport for NSW has commenced design work to transform the crossing from a passive to an active level crossing, with boom gates, flashing LED lights, warning bells and improved signage. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomed th

Steph Cooke MP in NSW Parliament on Wednesday. Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, is calling for an urgent increase and expansion of the School Drive Subsidy to alleviate cost-of-living pressures on regional families with preschool and school-age children. Rising fuel costs and growing concerns about fuel availability continue to place significant strain on regional families, particularly those living on isolated properties or in small villages. Ms Cooke told the Parliament

Narrandera residents with Narrandera Council representatives, and Nationals leaders. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke is calling on the NSW Government to deploy a temporary water treatment plant to Narrandera, with neither the State nor Federal Government committing to fund a permanent infrastructure solution. The call follows a Roundtable hosted by Ms Cooke in Narrandera on Sunday, attended by Nationals Leader Matt Canavan, Federal Shadow Water Minister Michael McCormack,