Steph Cooke MP
Member for Cootamundra

The Minns Labor Government has neglected the state’s primary funding program for town water infrastructure for the fourth consecutive year, despite NSW facing a multi-billion-dollar backlog in critical projects. The Safe and Secure Water Program was established by the former Coalition Government to support the design and construction of essential capital works projects that ensure regional communities have access to safe and reliable drinking water. Since being elected in

Steph Cooke MP with long-time Narrandera Resident Polly Rombola. The Deed of Agreement concerning Narrandera’s future Water Treatment Plant has been executed following sustained pressure from the Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke. The deed was critical in enabling Narrandera Shire Council to progress detailed design and business case work for the project, which aims to deliver clean water to the town. Until this week, the NSW Government had not handed the deed to the co

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

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,

My mate Tubby Allen is a hardworking farmer from Burcher in western NSW. A better bloke you’ll struggle to find. I’ve known him for years, but don’t ask for his real name. “Tubby” is all anyone has ever needed. When Tubby reaches out, it’s because there’s a real problem. This time, it’s water. Burcher is on Level 6 restrictions. But in Burcher, it’s worse again. The village water supply is raw, non‑potable water and must not be used for drinking, cooking or showering. In

The Minns Labor Government failed to complete a business case for the Wilcannia Weir project before approaching the Commonwealth for funding, despite now blaming the Federal Government for the project’s collapse. Last week, NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson confirmed the long-awaited project would be shelved, citing a lack of additional Commonwealth funding. However, during Budget Estimates on Wednesday, the Minister admitted that the business case required to support the f

The Minns Labor Government has abandoned the people of Wilcannia and the broader Far West, shelving the long-awaited Wilcannia Weir replacement project. Shadow Minister for Water Steph Cooke said the decision is a betrayal of a community that has fought for more than three decades to secure a safe, reliable and drought-proof water supply. “Late on a Friday afternoon, when newsrooms in the Far West were logging off for the week, the Minister for Water quietly announced the