No longer will Parkes be in the Dubbo electorate - with local MP, Troy Grant.

Instead, Parkes will be in the Orange electorate, of which the current local state member is Andrew Gee.

Mr Gee this week announced he has been preselected unopposed as The Nationals candidate for the Orange electorate at the 2015 NSW State Election.

“I’ve been extremely proud and honoured to represent the Orange electorate over the past three years which has included the Cabonne, Wellington, Mid-Western and Orange council areas,” Mr Gee said.

“At the next election, there’ll be significant changes to the Orange electorate. 

“The changes mean that the areas of Wellington, Geurie, Gulgong and Mudgee will go into the Dubbo electorate.

“The areas of Eugowra, Canowindra, Parkes, Forbes, Trundle, Peak Hill and Tullamore will come into the Orange electorate.

“On a personal level, I will be disappointed to be losing areas I like to think I have worked hard to represent. A lot of blood, sweat and tears have been shed on issues like the Gulgong MPS and Ulan Road upgrade,” Mr Gee said.

“I’ve also developed many solid relationships in those communities.

“On the other hand, the areas coming into the electorate are communities any member would be extremely proud to represent. 

“Trust has to be earned, and if I’m fortunate enough to be elected as the Member for Orange at the next election, these new areas will have my very best as a local member.”

Mr Gee said he believed he had been an effective local member with major wins including the 24-hour retrieval helicopter which services the entire Central West, completion of a new bridge at Nashdale after 60 years of neglect, a new emergency department at Wellington Hospital and the reintroduction of a bus service between Wellington and Dubbo.

Mr Gee said he had made a number of trips to the Forbes and Parkes area recently and looked forward to meeting as many constituents in the lead up to the next election.