TAMWORTH mayor Col Murray is confident the region will still get "strong local representation" as New England MP Barnaby Joyce banishes himself to the back bench.
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However, Cr Murray was disappointed to see Mr Joyce resign from his posts as Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure and Transport Minister.
"It's probably not the first choice of outcome," he said.
"It is what it is and I'm very confident we'll still get strong local representation from Mr Joyce."
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The mayor was also disappointed an upgrade for Dungowan dam wasn't secured while Mr Joyce held the water portfolio.
"There was a potential for opportunity with Dungowan which didn't get realised and that's now a matter for the state government," he said.
Cr Murray said the current dry spell highlighted the need for the project to be realised.
"We see Chaffey Dam is down to 75 per cent now and that shows the impact of the dry spell we've had," he said.
He remained optimistic about Tamworth and the New England electorate having a strong MP in Mr Joyce.
"We're used to having strong representation in New England," Cr Murray said.
Tony Windsor was a high performer.
"Ian Sinclair was a strong representative.
"I expect Mr Joyce to still be a strong performer."
Thanking the people of New England for their support, Mr Joyce said he would still stand in the next election.
Fairfax Media asked Mr Joyce if he thought he would still have the favour of voters, given his decision not to campaign in the New England by-election and his scarcity since.
“I don’t deserve the support that you’ve given me,” he said.
“Without a shadow of a doubt I’m staying as the Member for New England.”