Cowra Mayor, Councillor Bill West, outlined the Council's electoral priorities in the Mayoral Minute, presented to the last meeting of council. 

“There are some issues here we need to be pursuing really strongly,” Cr West said. 

On a local level, Cr West said council would be advocating for a new hospital, a replacement for the Low-Level Bridge, maintaining police numbers, continued investment in Wyangala State Recreation Area, funding for Wyangala Village water supply, an increase of funds for the Cowra Agricultural Research Station and commitment to a heavy vehicle bypass. 

“The need for not only urgent repairs to the emergency department but a completely new hospital for the Cowra region is clear to anyone with knowledge of the health needs of the Cowra and district community,” Cr West said. 

“The staff at Cowra Hospital operate under conditions that are well short of what NSW Health employees and residents of NSW should expect in 2018.”

Regional priorities include the Blayney-Demondrille Rail Line, linking the Central West to Sydney, the Southern Lights project, Wyangala’s wall and the redevelopment of Cowra Aquatic Centre. 

Cr West said the response from Transport NSW in regards to the rail line has been “unreasonable”. 

“The silence is deafening,” he said.  

Cr Ray Walsh praised Mayor West’s choice of priorities. 

“They [the priorities] have been laid out as they are so candidates can be reminded about what we need,” Cr Walsh said. 

Councillor Peter Wright said council should reconsider Cranky Rock instead of raising Wyangala’s wall. 

“I preferred the Cranky Rock option," he said. 

However Councillor West said Cranky Rock has not been considered “due to costs and the Cliefden Caves”. 

“We need greater water security in the valley,” Cr West said.