‘IGNORE us at your peril’ is the plainly-worded message to the state’s new premier from regional NSW.
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Tamworth Regional Council mayor Col Murray has thrown his support behind premier Gladys Berejiklian’s commitment to infrastructure across NSW.
“I think it’s timely, because, I honestly believe the infrastructure spend in the regions is under-par,” Cr Murray told The Leader.
Regional NSW has moved its way up the list of state priorities, according to the mayor, who said the Orange by-election and “the ruckus that’s being caused by Pauline Hanson’s group in the upcoming Queensland elections” made it timely to have a more regionally-focused leader.
“I think they’ll ignore the regions at their own peril,” he said.
With Ms Berejiklian putting infrastructure at the top of her priorities as premier, Cr Murray said he was filled with more confidence about state investment in the sporting centre of excellence.
“We’re not sure where that’s going to land but it’s very high on our agenda,” he said.
“That’s something we spoke about before the last election and I think people will make their own judgements if we’re still speaking about that come the next election because I don’t think that’ll be a good look for the coalition.”
And there’s a number of infrastructure projects the Tamworth mayor thinks will get traction in the near future.
“I think the aquatic centre will be a hot topic in the lead up to the next election,” Cr Murray said.
“The inter-modal hub is progressing and I think it will be a done deal before we come to the next election.
“That is a very important keystone investment because that will unlock a lot of other private investment around the city.”
The mayor predicted Ms Berejiklian would be a “premier that would have a bit more of eye for the regions”.
“The limited amount of times I’ve had association with Gladys Berejiklian, I’m very impressed,” he said.
“She really does seem to understand what makes the region’s tick.”
The new premier said her government wanted to focus on local infrastructure across the state, not just the “mega projects” of Sydney
The former transport minister and treasurer said she understood the difference small things such as sealing a dirt road or adding a new hospital ward made.