Boucher about Cobar Quids on her campaign visit to Cobar last week.
Nationals candidate for Barwon, Lucie Wightman, was in Cobar last week meeting with councillors, council staff and business owners ahead of the 2027 NSW State Election.
A regional newspaper owner and editor, mother of two young boys and Life Member and immediate Past President of the Country Press Association, Lucie is familiar with the challenges facing country communities.
The owner of The Gilgandra Weekly and The Warren and Nyngan Weekly newspapers says she is passionate about seeing rural communities thrive.
Lucie accompanied Shadow Minister for Water Steph Cooke on a Far West tour last week, visiting Bourke and Tilpa before arriving in Cobar on Wednesday.
Among the issues discussed with Cobar Shire Council was the proposed Nyngan to Cobar water pipeline, currently on hold.
“We’re trying to figure out how we can get that project committed next year if the Coalition was to win back government,” Lucie said.
She said concerns raised in Cobar were similar to those across the electorate.
“Health, cost of living, aged care, and your general amenities and how we’re seeing a reduction in service delivery from government agencies such as health and ambulances and others.”
Lucie acknowledged Cobar’s mining industry presented particular challenges.
“Having a fly-in/fly-out workforce becomes transient for the town and there’s a lot of challenges there,” she said.
“There’s also a lot of opportunity as well, not just for the government to invest in Cobar, but for people to come out here and seize those opportunities.
Lucie said water security was a key Nationals election priority, with a proposed $5 billion investment in regional water infrastructure.
Other commitments include reinstating the Regional Seniors Travel Card and a $300 million biosecurity plan to tackle invasive species and other regional threats.
