BUDGET 2025: COOTAMUNDRA AWAITS FAIR SHARE AHEAD OF THIRD MINNS BUDGET
- Steph Cooke MP
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
Friday, 20 June 2025
As the Minns Labor Government prepares to hand down its third State Budget, Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has called for urgent and overdue investment in rural communities across her electorate.
Ms Cooke said that for the past two years, regional and rural areas have been left behind when it comes to funding for vital infrastructure and services.
“Residents in my electorate have had little to celebrate these past few years at budget time,” Ms Cooke said.
“This year, rural taxpayers are hoping that third time’s a charm.”
Spanning approximately 40,000 square kilometres, the Cootamundra electorate includes an extensive road network that underpins the movement of freight, students, and patients.
Ms Cooke said every meeting with local councils raises concerns about road funding.
“These are not just any roads, they are critical freight routes, school transport corridors, and emergency access roads,” she said.
“The William Bradford Bridge, between Wallendbeen and Harden, is one example. It’s a known crash hotspot, and despite a safety assessment and multiple incidents, it remains untouched.”
“We need to see it funded in this year’s budget.”
Health infrastructure is also being sought, with Ms Cooke highlighting the dire situation at Grenfell’s Multipurpose Service, where nine bed licences remain inactive due to a lack of State Government funding.
“Grenfell’s population is ageing, with one in three people expected to be over 70 by 2031.”
“Yet residents are being sent to Cowra, 40 minutes away, due to a lack of local aged-care beds. That’s not good enough.”
She added that the Coolamon-Ganmain MPS, a $56 million hospital project which has long been supported by the NSW Coalition, also remains unfunded.
Access to clean and secure drinking water remains another critical issue, with Ms Cooke urging renewed investment in the Safe and Secure Water Program.
“Communities like Narrandera can’t afford to keep holding their breath every time they turn on a tap. Others, like Boorowa, need certainty ahead of future droughts.”
“But this Government hasn’t put new money into the program in two years.”
A focus on drought resilience and preparedness is also being sought, following the slow government response to developing drought conditions in southern NSW earlier this year.
“Our agriculture industry needs support — including transport subsidies for feed and water,” she said.
“This Budget must prove that rural communities matter just as much as those in the city.”
