Chair of the Centroc group of councils, Parkes Mayor Councillor Ken Keith has welcomed the new policy directions floated as part of the this week’s NSW Government Cabinet re-shuffle.
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Cr Keith and also has congratulated the two Central NSW MPs on joining the Cabinet.
“It’s good news for Central NSW to have a former Centroc Board member as the new Local Government Minister, Paul Toole, and the Member for Dubbo, Troy Grant, as the new Minister for Racing, Gaming and the Arts,” he said.
“It’s important to have a strong understanding of regional issues around the Cabinet table and I congratulate Paul Toole and Troy Grant on their promotion.
“Kevin Humphries has also shown he has a good understanding of rural communities in his former portfolio and I’m sure he’ll be bringing these abilities to bear in the new Land and Water department.”
Cr Keith also wants the state’s new leadership team to consider giving regional areas a greater slice of government spending when it comes to long-term infrastructure.
“The election of the new Premier has also put talk of selling the state’s ‘poles and wires’ back on the agenda,” Cr Keith said.
“That specific issue will be up for the government to decide, but if it goes ahead, it’s crucial that NSW hangs onto the value of major assets like these by putting that investment back into serious infrastructure.
“In this region, an investment in infrastructure for water security for our urban communities is of critical importance, as is the Bells Line Expressway.
“I am currently coordinating a meeting with the Chair of OROC and Duncan Gay, Minister for Roads and Freight, to progress the next stage of securing a corridor for the Bells Line Expressway.
“It will be great to have the support of Ministers Kevin Humphries, Troy Grant and Paul Toole in these efforts,” Cr Keith concluded.
