Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, Gilgandra Mayor Doug Batten and Leader of the Nationals David Littleproud are calling for funding to be restored for Inland Rail grade separations, including at Gilgandra.
Concerns over the future of the Inland Rail project is casting a shadow over what should otherwise be an exciting time for Gilgandra Shire, with new residential housing blocks about to go to market and thriving local businesses providing positive employment opportunities for locals.
Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton was joined by Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud in Gilgandra this week, where they met with Gilgandra Shire Council Mayor Doug Batten, General Manager David Neeves and councillors.
“It was great to take my Party Leader David Littleproud to Gilgandra to show him the good work Gilgandra Shire Council has been doing to improve the liveability of the town,” Mr Coulton said.
“Council’s housing development is a great initiative. It’s good to see a council being so proactive in providing more housing blocks to increase the local population and capitalise on future growth opportunities, like the Inland Rail.
“However, Gilgandra Shire Council is one of the councils in my electorate understandably concerned about the uncertainty surrounding the Inland Rail project under the current Labor Government, especially in light of funding cuts for important grade separations and road upgrades to connections to the Newell, Oxley and Castlereagh highways at Gilgandra.
“These projects were vital to improve safety, efficiency and reliability along the Inland Rail alignment and we’re calling on the Federal Government to restore that funding so that these projects can be completed and provide a commitment to progress the Inland Rail for the benefit of regional communities like Gilgandra.”
Mr Coulton said while Gilgandra Shire Council is an example of a local council getting on with the job, the Labor Government’s cuts to regional funding programs like the hugely successful Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program has made it difficult for councils to fund important community projects.
“The Nationals know just how important the LRCI Program is to our local councils and will continue to lobby the Labor Government to provide ongoing funding beyond the current round, as well as certainty around the Roads to Recovery Program and a fair distribution model for Financial Assistance Grants,” Mr Coulton said.
“Local government is the backbone of our regional communities and it’s vital that the Federal Government provides the necessary support to ensure our councils can thrive.”
Mr Coulton and Mr Littleproud also caught up with Andrew Schier and the staff at Ahrens silos factory which employs about 30 locals.
“It’s wonderful to see such a bustling business in Gilgandra that provides employment for so many local people,” Mr Coulton said.
“Ahrens is a great example of the wide scope of industries we have in the Parkes electorate, and once the Inland Rail project gets back on track, more businesses like this one will be setting up shop in communities right along the route.”
Mr Littleproud said the visit to Gilgandra further highlighted the importance of having a government that understands regional Australia.
“The Nationals share the concerns of the Gilgandra Shire Council relating to the delays of the Inland Rail project since Labor’s election win and we have committed to getting it back on track if elected in 12 months’ time,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Hearing the effects of crippling energy prices for local manufacturer Ahrens also reinforced the need for a sensible energy policy that can provide base load power that supports manufacturing to help it prosper rather than just the renewables only approach of this government.”
Gilgandra Shire Council Mayor Doug Batten said the council team appreciated the opportunity to engage with two senior Federal Nationals Parliamentarians to raise issues relating to the Albanese Government’s action regarding the Inland Rail.
“The Inland Rail is a pivotal project for regional Australia, particularly along the Eastern Seaboard,” Cr Batten said.
“Gilgandra Shire Council has sought legacy-building projects as part of the construction of Inland Rail.
“It was refreshing to once again outline our plans for industrial and residential land to support the construction phase of the project, along with ensuring water availability that will not challenge stock and domestic supplies.
“These issues, together with housing availability and the ongoing sustainability of aged care in smaller communities such as ours, also warranted discussion.”
