The closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass continues to impact travel, freight and tourism across the Central West. It has again highlighted how vulnerable our region is when key infrastructure fails, with flow-on effects for local businesses and communities.
This reinforces the need for long-term investment in reliable road and rail infrastructure. In the interim I have worked closely with the government to get services from sydney out west.
Fuel supply issues and rising prices remain a serious concern across regional NSW. With the cost of living already high, unreliable supply and price volatility are placing added pressure on households, small businesses and those who rely on fuel every day. I will continue to call on the Government to work with the Commonwealth to secure supply chains and ease the burden on regional communities.
Recent changes to firearms laws continue to raise strong concerns across the Central West and NSW. While the events that led to these changes were tragic, many in our community believe the response has been rushed, with limited consultation and scrutiny. More than 98,000 people signed a petition raising concerns-one of the largest ever recordedwhich shows the strength of community feeling. There are real concerns these changes place further restrictions on law-abiding firearms owners, while doing little to address illegal firearms. Questions have also been raised about limits that don’t reflect the practical needs of hunters, primary producers and sporting shooters. I will continue to advocate for fair, balanced laws that target crime-not responsible people.
The proposed energy-from-waste facility at Parkes continues to raise strong community concerns. Many locals are questioning why regional communities should manage metropolitan waste, particularly given Parkes’ agricultural setting and the need to transport waste long distances. While I am not opposed to the technology, it must be in the right location and have genuine community support. I will continue to stand with the Parkes community and ensure their voices are heard.
