NSW Nationals won its most significant battle in history by retaining all of its seats, bar two potential losses on the North Coast, according to party chairman Bede Burke.
"(The state election) was one of the toughest challenges I will experience," Mr Burke said.
Judging by pre-election polling some pessimistic people had the party pegged to lose seven seats across the state, he said.
Regional NSW lost the seat of Murrumbidgee before the election began, replaced by Newtown in Sydney (now a Greens seat), Ballina also fell to the Greens, which is also neck and neck with Nats stalwart Thomas George in Lismore.
"We were forced to get out and really get in there and street fight for seats, which is not something the Nats has done in the past."
Mr Burke said victories in Monaro and Tamworth were highlights.
"Both those seats were contested by former members (Labor's Steve Whan and independent Peter Draper, respectively), which only happens very infrequently in regional seats."
Mr Burke said North Coast seats were influenced by coastal migration and a dwindling of traditional Nationals voters, but argued the party still could have done more to combat the coal seam gas protest vote in the region.
"Whatever the demographic shift there is, we have to listen to the community and bring them with us."
Mr Burke said the shrinking regional share of the state's population means the Nationals would be "restricted" in its future growth as a party.
"We don't look at it as numerical figures, it is about regional delivery."
Deputy Premier and Nationals leader Troy Grant said the election was a great result for farmers who wanted to see native vegetation reform.
"This definitely wouldn't be happening if we woke up to a Labor government at the weekend."
Mr Grant said he and Premier Mike Baird would announce new Cabinet positions soon.
Mr Grant doesn't want to waste any time getting regional and rural NSW up to speed following the election last Saturday.
"I look forward to getting on with the job and start delivering what we've promised this term," Mr Grant said.
"Our Rebuilding NSW plan will get under way immediately, as we look towards partially leasing the state's electricity distribution networks."
Roderick Makim
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
