Thursday, 24 October 2024
Subjects: William Bradford Bridge, Frost damage to crops, Ag Shows, Rural Women’s Network gathering, Kate Cleary, Hume Hwy road works, Australia Day nominations, Breast Cancer Awareness month, Mental Health Awareness month, Crown Land Improvement Fund, Junee Show.
E&OE…
Dave Eisenhauer: Every couple of weeks we catch up with member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke and of course Steph joins us on the line this morning from Macquarie Street today, Steph a very good morning.
Steph Cooke: Oh, Good morning, Dave. It's lovely to be back with you this morning and good morning to all of your listeners and yes, we are in the second week of the sitting week for October and I'm looking very forward to coming back to the electorate early tomorrow morning.
Dave Eisenhauer: It's a very busy time for our political world from the star point of view and from, of course, from our local members in the region. Steph, there's a lot on and we're going to talk about that very soon as we head through as we wrap up it.
Steph, really appreciate you taking some time out to have a chat to us as we do each and every fortnight. Let's have a look at what, I mean, where do we start, Steph? I mean, so
many things on, but you've had some meetings with Ministers recently discussing some pretty big issues for the electorate of Cootamundra.
Steph Cooke: Yes, That's quite true, Dave, and I take that part of my role very seriously,
because that's where we have the opportunity to sit down with Ministers one-on-one and talk about the really big issues that are impacting our communities.
I've worked very hard at, you know, establishing good relationships with Ministers of all persuasion over the last seven years, and as a result of that, I do get very good access to our Ministers, particularly New South Wales.
And most recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Minister Aitchison, the Regional Roads and Transport Minister, and we had a chat about a bridge.
Now, this bridge is known as the William Bradford Bridge, and those of you listeners that travel east to west may be familiar with it. It's on the Burley Griffin Way between Harden and Wallendbeen, and it's a very, very narrow bridge.
And it's been the site of many incidents over the years, and we had another one most recently, and what we need to see there, Dave, is either a replacement of that bridge or a widening, a significant widening of the existing bridge.
Now, I'm not sure which one it is, and I had that discussion with the Minister, and the reason we don't know is because transport for New South Wales haven't done the homework around what that might look like.
So, we don't know what the final solution there is, but it was an opportunity for me to once again raise that this is a very important issue, particularly for those that travel from the East.
If you're going from the Hume Highway out to a place like Griffith or even further a field, you will be using the Burley Griffin Way and that point is particularly dangerous.
So, it was a great opportunity to sit down and do a little drawing of what I was talking about to make sure that our Ministers that are otherwise very city-focused and city-based, have an idea of what's affecting us out in the regions.
Dave Eisenhauer: And important, it's been an ongoing issue to that bridge though, I know it well. We used to broadcast it at 2LF and sort of that district when I worked in Young, that was part of that territory there and it is part of the electorate and road safety is such an important issue and particularly for our local members, it's one of the big key issues I think that you get from your constituents quite regularly, Steph Cooke.
Steph Cooke: It is, it’s really, it competes on the same level as health issues and we have a huge road network across the Cootamundra electorate and as you can imagine with nine local government areas and that huge road network to maintain, it's really important that Ministers are aware of what our key problems are and that we continually fight for road funding.
I certainly never miss the opportunity to talk about the fact that we do need ongoing government support when it comes to maintaining our roads because our rate payer base is on the low side and that makes it very difficult for our councils to maintain the local road network.
Then, of course, the State Government does have a genuine a direct responsibility when it comes to maintaining regional and state roads, so it is a big issue, Dave.
And interestingly enough, my understanding is that the old RTA actually purchased the land around the William Bradford Bridge in the '90s, so this is, you know, a recognition that that particular bridge has been problematic for decades and decades and we're now at the point where we transport the way that it is and our truck's getting bigger and we're still using the same road network and sharing it with school buses and more tourists and caravans than ever before and our caravans are getting bigger of course and so are our vehicles. This type of infrastructure really needs to have a good examination.
Dave Eisenhauer: Now, Steph, staying in the regional areas, and of course, bridge access, we've got some pretty heavy trucks about to hit that as too, as we get into our harvest operations.
And we've got the windrowers starting out, very important. I mean, it's this time of year, we come through our show circuit, which we're going to talk about, but Canola and the windrowers are getting out in the paddocks, their contractors around their region, it's starting up.
But farmers this year, looking at losses of up to 70 percent in some of the southern river inner areas like Ariah Park and Coolamon, Ganmain district.
Steph Cooke: Absolutely, and people, you know, your listeners may have had some interesting issue around the frost that happened in late September. It's had some pretty
devastating effects right across the Cootamundra electorate.
I don't think there's too many crops that have been unaffected by that frost, it's just a question of how much it has been affected. And out in the West where those crops were more advanced, it's pretty devastating in some of those places.
I've made a speech to Parliament in relation to that frost damage and there's been widespread media interest in that issue. So, I've had the opportunity to speak far and wide on it and I think what we really need to see there by way of a solution is more government investment in developing frost resistant and frost hardy varieties of grains and that's predominantly in that canola space but also in also in Wheat and, Bali.
We know that the CSIRO and our local Ag stations are doing some fantastic advanced work in this space and I think off the back of incidents like this in which, you know, we were forecasting a huge bumper harvest that has now been pulled back dramatically as a result of this frost event and all it does is just reinforce the need to continue to invest in our sciences and our scientists who do magnificent work already, and you know let's make sure that we give farmers every opportunity to succeed into the future.
Dave Eisenhauer: And staying on the theme of farms you've been very busy Steph as our agricultural show societies have been and continue to be a lot to shows around the region, Cowra, Cootamundra shows, though, last weekend we've got Junee and a stack of shows still to come, the National Field Days as well.
Steph Cooke: There's plenty going on, and in fact I was talking to Paul Toole, the Member for Bathurst, this morning about the National Field Days, he will head there. I'll be of course attending the Junee show amongst other events this coming weekend.
These agricultural shows are incredibly important to our local communities. It's an opportunity to celebrate the importance and the contribution that Ag has made to our communities over generations and continues to do so.
They are much loved events and an opportunity for people to come together over the weekend, to catch up with friends, to enjoy everything that our shows have to offer, and I just strongly suggest to anyone listening this morning, if you've got some spare time this coming weekend, or you're wondering what you should be doing with your time, please try and head to one of our shows.
It's really important that we continue to support them, and of course our volunteers, oh wow, don't they do an amazing, magnificent job, all year round, really, it takes to pull together just one or two days for enjoyment.
Dave Eisenhauer: Indeed, and look and it's a they're such an important part and so much history tied up you see you know local family names new and old in amongst the mix there.
The kids get involved they're show societies that's group seven that we're talking there and of course by this time next year we'll have wrapped up all the local region sort of Tumbarumba, Tumut, Batlow all the show and they're all very similar but they all have the uniqueness as well too they really showcase as you said they all showcase our particular communities.
And all those volunteer hours that go in Steph it's so important we celebrate things like our young woman they used to be called the showgirl competition I find it's still called at the showgirl even on the mic, but we talked New South Wales rural women and the network event you attended last weekend.
Steph Cooke: Oh this was a fantastic event Dave, this is the Rural Women's Network annual conference. It was held in Harden this year. It's the second time since I've been a Member for Cootamundra that the electorate has hosted this event off the back of Narrandera in 2017, a wonderful opportunity for women to come together.
We had Dr Yana Pittman, people will remember her as that amazing 400-metre hurdle champion, world champion, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, just an amazing woman who then pivoted and really refocused her entire life to becoming a doctor.
She's an obstetrician and gynaecologist. She has six children of her own and she was a surrogate mother for some friends of hers that were unable to have children of their own, an incredible woman and she gave us an hour of her time, gave a wonderful speech and then took questions at the end.
And certainly an event I will never forget and it was wonderful to see a couple of hundred women from all over New South Wales including from areas like Tumut and Adelong come up, and you know and participate in this fantastic event and well done to the community of Harden who have hosted us this year.
Again, a lot of effort went into that by a very small committee. They did a magnificent job, and we had a great day.
Dave Eisenhauer: Indeed, and of course celebrating Kate Cleary and we've got some people here in the region from Galong. Central West Adult Volunteer of the Year one of our founding members there for many years this this has been running for Steph Cooke and when you look at the farming community Galong very deserving recognition.
Steph Cooke: oh absolutely and Kate Cleary is oh she is she is a force to be reckoned with, an amazing woman who is running a facility called The Farm, it's in Galong, it's a converted monastery there, and the farm does really important work in helping women and at times when they're able to they're joined by their children so there's a family element as well,
And these are women who have experienced addiction and other challenges in their life, and
the program that Kate runs out of The Farm is one aimed at rehabilitation and helping women get their lives back on track.
In some cases, or in many cases, these women who have had the opportunity to spend time with myself have had their children taken from them and placed in foster care and there's an opportunity through the work that Kate's doing to have those families reunited once the mum is able to get her life back on track.
This is incredible work that's happening right in our communities, largely under the radar, and so to see someone like Kate recognised for the work that she's doing is not only appropriate, but it's wonderful to see in an area that is quite challenging for people to talk about at times.
I think that there's still a lot of taboo in this space and Kate is really determined to make sure that it's not taboo and in fact that we actually make a difference in people's lives.
Dave Eisenhauer: And of course, Steph, we must mention roadworks as we talk about roads a lot in a lot of conversations we have with our local members and of course on the Hume between Mittagong and Albury. It's a little bit out of the region there but it's, but it's, I mean, we all use don’t we?
Steph Cooke: Oh, yes, there's a lot of road work happening on the Hume at the moment, and I'd encourage anyone from our part of the world who's heading out to Sydney over the months ahead to please take care and really, you know, be mindful of those road works that are occurring.
There are contra -flows in place at many points. This is necessary work, and those of us that travel it regularly, I travel it more frequently than I would like Dave, just quietly, particularly that patch between Goulburn and Marulan is particularly bad northbound at the moment.
It has not hit our radar for upgrade yet, but it's certainly something that I'm raising here in Sydney because it's actually quite dangerous but where they are doing roadworks, please encourage people to take care and this is very, very necessary work.
Dave Eisenhauer: You've got a massive weekend coming up, celebrating all things, the Touch Netball Carnival Boorowa. We've got the Ardlethan Memorial Hall and Barellan CWA rest house, as we mentioned, the Junee shows coming up, Flourish Metal Health.
I don't know if you find the time to actually take a break and visit those pups of yours, but there's so much, want a huge weekend you've got ahead celebrating all things to do with being Australian and that brings up the nominations for Australia Day Awards are open across our region.
Steph Cooke: They are Dave and I look I just encourage everyone to think about that person that they believe is worthy of nominating for an award.
It is an opportunity for us to recognise the people in our local communities that make a real difference and they're not people but generally speaking that are doing it because they are seeking recognition they do it because they've got a very you know strong passion about making a difference in the lives of others and this is a good way that we can recognise people.
So, I'd encourage everyone to think of somebody and put their name forward.
Dave Eisenhauer: Breast Cancer Awareness Month that's right through October, it's also Mental Health awareness month as well. But breast cancer awareness, we're hearing this a bit more on the news for men and women at some of the people think sometimes it's just for women. This is men as well.
Steph Cooke: It is, it is Dave, and it's important again, we talk about taboo subjects and this is something that we do need to be constantly mindful of and not afraid to of conversations about our health, whether it's women or men. And there's no better time to do that than in the designated months for awareness around these issues.
So whether it is mental health or whether it's breast cancer or any of the other, I mean, we've got Movember coming up, there are many opportunities, and these months, while some people might think, ‘Oh gosh, we just roll from one to another’.
The real benefit that they bring is that they raise awareness of these issues, and they give people information and access to help and services that they may not have otherwise thought about if there hadn't been a spotlight on the issue at that time.
And so, this is a good opportunity for people to stop for a moment, think about their own health, think about the health of those that they love and are close to and don't be afraid to have some of those what we might think are challenging conversations but at the end of the day whether it's your physical health or your mental health it may end up saving either your life or somebody else's.
Dave Eisenhauer: Isn't that true Steph? No true word spoken there.
And finally, of course we talked about shows the Crownland Improvement Funds they're open again this is for things like new shape of you show pavilions or upgrading your footpaths around public land areas, that sort of thing for the weed management pest control, all those sorts of things, isn't it?
Steph Cooke: Yes, it is, and Dave, I'd encourage anyone who's involved in the management of Crown Lands, and we've got an awful lot of Crown Land right across the Cootamundra electorate and down in your neck of the woods to put in an application.
I think it is important, I don't want to finish on a downer this morning, but it is important to recognise that there's a couple of substantial changes to the fund this year.
The first one is that the amount of funding available for groups has reduced substantially, so the government is offering $10 million for the whole of New South Wales. That fund has all but halved in the last two years, which is very unfortunate given the amount of crown land that we have to maintain.
The second change that they've made is that the minimum you can apply for is $100,000, and so we have, unfortunately, in the Cootamundra Electorate, a lot of smaller projects that are very worthy, but they will not be eligible to apply for this funding, which is quite sad.
But nonetheless, if there are people out there with projects, please have a crack. It's really important that we stay shovel ready and that we continue to signal to the government that we do have worthy and worthwhile projects that are important to us and our facilities in order to keep them fit for purpose and going, and that's part of the legacy that we leave future generations.
So if people need help with that, please reach out to my office and we will do everything we can to help and support their applications.
Dave Eisenhauer: Yes, very important our Crown Land and of course of the management of them, there's a few other things happening in that sphere as well, Steph, we'll talk about next time.
But so many other things, we can talk about flying kites, we can talk about Woolfest but another time, Steph, and we really appreciate you taking time out of your huge schedule.
I mean, you've off to the touch carnival, as you mentioned, there's so many things, but we will see you at the Junee show and we might even have a chat to you on the radio, when we do a cross from the Junee show.
So we might even have a chat to you bright and early on Saturday morning before you head off to, I think there's four or five events you've got to get to, really appreciate it, Thank you, Steph.
Steph Cooke: I'll see you on Saturday. Thank’s, Dave.
Dave Eisenhauer: Really appreciate your time. There you go, of course, Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke joining us, and it's amazing when you look at the list, as Steph's been opened the Good Old Days Festival, that's the big heavy Horse Festival out at Barellan.
Barmedman Gala dinner, the Boorowa Wool Festival, the Hardin Kite Festival. We might ask Steph about that, how she went flying the kites there when we talked to Steph on Saturday.
The mark Carers Week, a visit to Cooinda Court in Junee, the Rural Women's Gathering, the list just goes on a very busy friend of the region, of course, Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, back in a fortnight's time, but we will hear from Steph, we'll have her chat to Steph on Saturday morning, live from the 2024 Junee show.