MINING might be the biggest issue raised in the New England race so far, but the electorate is about more than just the Liverpool Plains, according to Liverpool Plains deputy mayor and Quirindi businessman Rob Webster.
Mr Webster said while some votes would be based on mining, the fact that the Shenhua coal mine, on the Breeza Plains, is out of the electorate could mean voters will prioritise other issues.
He said job creation was a big issue for the smaller communities across the electorate, as well as underground water levels.
“A good majority of people will welcome new industry, whether it is mining or something else,” Mr Webster said.
“We need jobs for our kids and our grandkids. We’ve got to try and retain our workforce so our locals don’t end up in the cities.
“In our area there’s no real industry except for the feedlots and the shire is the biggest employer in town.”
Inverell stock and station agent and businessman Bob Jamieson said connecting the town to other areas, whether through technology or flights, would help the growing community continue to thrive.
“We travel 125 kilometres to catch a plane because there hasn’t been a plane land here since the airport was renovated a few years ago, and that’s holding the district back,” Mr Jamieson said.
Mobile phone service was another barrier to business, Mr Jamieson said.
“We live 15km from Inverell in a Telstra black spot where it’s almost impossible to get the internet and if you do have it people just don’t believe how slow it is.
“We’re a leader in computer sales of livestock, so connectivity is very important to us.
“To sell $110,000 worth of steers I’ll stand on the of roof my car on a hill to get service.”
For Uralla’s Rachael Sowden, president of the New England District Council of P&C, federal funding for education and Gonski reforms are at the top of her priority list.
“Tony Windsor was very instrumental in getting Gonski across the line,” Mrs Sowden said.
“From a P&C perspective that’s a huge issue for parents in a regional seat like New England.
“There is inequity in the way the federal government supports schools, but Gonski funds according to an individual student’s needs.
“Gonski doesn’t look a whether the kids go to independent schools, Catholic schools or public schools – it just looks at what level of funding they need.”
