TAMWORTH will go to the polls for the fourth time in less than three years on May 18.
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It's the third time residents have been asked to vote for a New England MP in that time and it will be not even two months after the state election.
It's fair to say the people are old hands when it comes to going to the polls, and the regional councillors are, in a way, calling for an educated choice.
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The councillors the Leader contacted after the Prime Minister's announcement of a May 18 election were largely in unison about what the New England candidates would need to do for this city.
"The $10 million commitment for the university is paramount to our future growth," acting mayor Phil Betts said.
He said water infrastructure would also need to be front-of-mind for all candidates in during the campaign.
Polling suggests Labor will form government after May 18, but incumbent MP Barnaby Joyce won the 2017 by-election with a 7 per cent swing, which means Tamworth could have its local member in opposition for the first time in many years.
The acting mayor didn't believe this would pose any issues in attracting funding to the region, which has "enjoyed a pretty good run over the last three years".
A point echoed by councillor Russell Webb.
"Having a local member who is a minster is very beneficial, but what is most beneficial is having a member, whether they're in government or opposition, who fights the good fight for the electorate," Cr Webb said.
He said water infrastructure, university funding and improving highway safety were his top federal priorities.
Councillor Helen Tickle also said federal funding for a Tamworth university was "near the top of the list", along with water security.
In terms of issues, she said sustainability was going to loom large.
"They're big issues and people are becoming more and more aware," Cr Tickle said.
"We want to see some policies in that regard, and particularly around water, energy and our land."