CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr CONAGHAN (Cowper) (16:34): This week we have the privilege of hosting local government leaders from around the country. While the Prime Minister might not appreciate our councils after his bizarre question time insinuation yesterday that council members are not serious people, I don't share that view. I'm very lucky to represent an electorate with five local government jurisdictions within it: Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey shire, Nambucca Valley shire and Port Macquarie-Hastings—each with a passionate mayor and councillors intent on delivering the services and infrastructure that their regional residents deserve, each needing the federal and state governments to step up and recognise the potential when it comes to solving broader national issues like housing and the cost of living.

Regional councils are crying out for regional funding, and they've done the hard work when it comes to the costings and what is required to maintain their current standards and expand responsibly into the future. The beautiful Mid North Coast electorate that we represent has seen an influx of population like never before in the wake of COVID migration, and our demographics have evolved along with it as we've welcomed more and more young families looking to purchase their forever homes in a coastal region that offers a quality of life beyond that of the cities.

The regions are ready to shoulder some of the burden when it comes to solving the country's housing crisis. We have the land and we have the demand. We want to be attracting a working-age population to fill the gaps in our critical sectors, like health, aged care, child care, policing and manufacturing.

We need them as much as they need us. But, at the moment, our collective infrastructure is at capacity and, in some cases, beyond capacity. Every one of my LGAs—every single one of them—is in desperate need of water and sewerage upgrades, and we cannot be unique in this need.

Without adequate water and sewerage networks, we cannot build. We cannot introduce higher density housing in key areas—including social housing, which this government espouses that it focuses on. We cannot keep up with the demand while providing enough supply to keep house prices within reach for our current residents.

And, without adequate funding, councils will be forced to pass on the cost to residents already at their limits when it comes to rate payments. While we are rich in so many ways—like natural beauty, close community ties, education and employment opportunities—our average residents are far from wealthy. So I say to this government please listen.

Please consider carefully what these local government representatives are telling you, and please allow our regions to reach their true potential.