That’s a fairly random fact, but it does serve to remind voters that it is a pretty big place.

The state seat of Goulburn is only about half the size, occupying 18,827 square kilometres and containing 53,765 voters, but that'ss still a large chunk of land and a big group of people.

With Robertson at one extremity and Boorowa at the other, Google Maps advises it would take almost two and a half hours to drive from end to end and in doing that you would pass through a lot of diverse communities with differing priorities and needs.

The big ticket items in Moss Vale may not rate a mention in Murrumbateman. What matters in Boorowa may not matter in Berrima. The trick for candidates for the seat of Goulburn is to not only get around the electorate, but to be across all of the key issues in each community.  

We’ve asked the editors and journalists of the five Fairfax newspapers in the Goulburn electorate (Boorowa News, Crookwell Gazette, Goulburn Post, Southern Highland News and Yass Tribune) to identify the key issues for their readers, and here’s what they had to say.

Katie Burgess, Boorowa News

When it comes to state electoral boundaries, Boorowa is a bit like that kid that no one wants on their team. 

After 24 years in the Burrinjuck electorate, we've been severed from neighbouring towns like Cowra and Young and stitched back onto the state seat of Goulburn, kind of like Frankenstein's monster.

And it seems, if election promises are anything to go on, our Cootamundra compadres seem to be getting the better end of the deal.

Getting a politician to commit to any action in Boorowa is like trying to nail jelly to a wall.

Boorowa mayor Cr Wendy Tuckerman agrees.

"As the NSW State Election looms the Boorowa Local Government Area now sits in the NSW electorate seat of Goulburn. I have watched with interest in the media the enormous funding announcements and commitments being made in new seat of Cootamundra (just next door) and the deafening silence we are experiencing," Cr Tuckerman said.

"I will continue to have conversations with the candidates of the seat of Goulburn to push the many issues we are currently experiencing. We need our State representatives to be fully conversant with the issues we face and every voter should be asking our candidates what they will do for our communities and whether they deserve your vote."

So, dear candidates, it's time to play ball. 

Here's are the issues the Boorowa region needs action on - they're in your court now.

Local Government Reform - "[There's] a lack of clarity on what 'fit for the future' means and uncertainty surrounding the consequences of a particular course of action," Cr Tuckerman says.

" For example what will be the impact on revenue sources such as grant allocations if a Council is deemed not to be 'fit for the future' and how serious is the likelihood of forced mergers if voluntary mergers cannot be achieved."

Water security - "Boorowa has been severely impacted by a lack of adequate water storage capacity for many years. This has had broad ranging impacts on the general community, businesses and the ability to attract new businesses to the community. Although Council has identified a suitable solution, can clearly demonstrate the issue is as severe as anywhere else in the state and the State Government has a water security for the regions program, Boorowa has not been considered for any funding."

Lachlan Valley Way passing lanes - "The Lachlan Valley Way is the first state road to the south of Sydney that connects with the Hume Highway. The 45km stretch of road between Yass and Boorowa (the gateway to the Central West) has very limited passing opportunities with no passing lanes. The road carries a large volume of heavy vehicles and has a relatively high crash rate. Although preliminary concepts for passing lanes were developed, there has been no commitment to fund the much needed safety improvements which are a state responsibility."

Regional Transport Infrastructure - "Boorowa, like a number of communities across the region, is highly reliant upon the agricultural sector which involves the transport of large amounts of freight. To ensure that freight can efficiently and safely be moved within the region it is critical that the State provides adequate support funding for key regional transport routes such as MR 241 West (Murringo Road) Linking the Lachlan Valley Way (Boorowa) to the Olympic Highway (Young) and MR380 Cunningar Road Linking the Lachlan Valley Way to the Cunningar grain terminal/rail line. Current funding allocations are not adequate to support these roads to a safe and efficient standard relative to the volumes and type of traffic they carry."

Telecommunications - "Although telecommunications are not traditionally considered a state responsibility, a lack of adequate mobile phone and quality internet access are having significant economic impacts both within the urban environment as well as village and rural areas. Council has committed to planning for a 'Smart Work Centre' which will provide opportunities for businesses and individuals to access high quality communications infrastructure to undertake their business interactions. The project will provide an investment opportunity for the State to make significant improvements and diversification within the regional economy."

Bronwyn Haynes, Crookwell Gazette

There are many issues aspiring politicians could help with in the Upper Lachlan area. Here are a few for starters.

Wind Farms: The ongoing debate about wind farms and their heath effects, appearance, productivity, carbon footprint and so on will be one of the major factors in the upcoming state election as with other topics raised around the area on a daily basis.

Amalgamations: The influx of 'Letters to the Editor' of late in the Crookwell Gazette is also a sure sign that residents are concerned with the threat of amalgamation with a neighbouring shires. Residents are looking for answers and assurance that the Upper Lachlan Shire will remain as it is.

Crookwell/Goulburn Rail Trail: This major tourist attraction hinges on government funding and one hundred percent cooperation between landholders and developers. The first application for funding has been lost to other areas and other projects at this stage. It is reported by the Crookwell /Goulburn Rail Trail committee that it is early stages of the project and they will keep applying for funding for the project. 

Roads: The improvement of local roads and extra funding for such, is always a topic just before an election. Extra funding for resheeting of gravel, maintenance grading, sealing and upkeep is always a hot topic. The upkeep of rural roads and the need for rural ratepayers to travel about in safety is crutial.

That's not an exhaustive list by any means, but it's a few of the main points that come up frequently in discussions.

Crookwell district voters are reminded that can raise these and other issues at the 'Meet the Candidates' evening at the Crookwell Services Club on Wednesday March 11 from 7pm. If you have concerns for our candidates or have questions that need answering, bring them along to the evening.

Gerard Walsh, Goulburn Post

Whoever wins the state seat of Goulburn will need to convince the regional city of the same name that they will deliver - among other things - a new hospital.

Goulburn, the city, will no doubt decide the outcome of the March 28 election, being the major centre and hometown of key candidates Liberal incumbent Pru Goward and former senator, Labor's Ursula Stephens.

And both know that with the redistribution south west, the anti Abbott factor and the fallout from the Queensland LNP demolition, there's a strong chance Goulburn will become a marginal seat.

Goulburn, the city, has been crying out for a new hospital for at least a decade.

There is every indication of an imminent announcement from Ms Goward and her health minister that, should she retain the seat (and the Coalition stays in power), Goulburn will get its new base hospital.

Ms Goward told me last week that funding for the project would not be dependent on the proposed State poles and wires sell-off (sans Essential Energy).

Dr Stephens, could, however pre-empt her with an equally as enticing package should she and her party sweep to power. 

Any hospital promise (actually .. .we want a written guarantee) must come with assurances that, meantime, the government, whoever it is, will invest more to recruit and retain medical specialists in Goulburn.

It's idealistic to think both these high-calibre candidates would come to a bipartisan arrangement on the hospital whoever wins the seat.

But that's what should happen, allowing them - along with fellow candidates Iain Fyfe (Greens), Adrian Van Der Byl (Christian Democratic Party), Wal Ashton (Outdoor Recreation Party) - to campaign on points of difference on the following key election issues confronting Goulburn, the city:

There are myriad other issues candidates could address - such as road maintenance funding to match the increasingly active quarrying industry and tackling rising gas prices (which affect colder climate districts more).

It shouldn't be just about the hospital.

The candidate who throws all their eggs into that basket, as important as it is, could be disappointed.

It's about not being complacent and appealing to all voters, whatever their political creed.

Megan Drapalski, Southern Highland News

THE changed electoral boundaries for the 2015 election means the Highlands has been split in half.

Towns south of the Illawarra Highway remain in the seat of Goulburn with education and infrastructure the main issues.

The majority of schools in the electorate are public and both the TAFE and university campuses are in Moss Vale.

The university specifically requires support as a tutor who wished to remain anonymous has come forward and shared the declining student numbers.

Should this continue, face-to-face teaching will be discontinued and replaced with video conferencing.

Roads in the area are deteriorating, especially as you get out of the main township of Moss Vale towards the smaller outlying villages.

Residents are eager to see upgrades and government funds invested in the area.

Jessica Cole, Yass Tribune

In the lead up to the state election, the Yass Valley community has been curious to know if there will be any major gains for the community in a new representative government.

Six major concerns are on the forefront of many residents minds. Firstly, the Barton Highway is in dire need of improvement and duplication.

Support from state government in infrastructure, such as water and sewage grants.

The Yass Valley is in need of some educational commitments, including improvements to Yass High School and an advocate that will help the community fight for a much-needed school in Murrumbateman, as the Valley has a growth rate of 14 percent.  

The Yass hospital is in need of an upgrade, providing the community with more suitable health services.

Our rural lands rezoning needs to move forward, as well as a commitment to Economic and Small Business development, through a community work hub and study centre.

We need to hear some real commitments and would like to see our local representative fighting for the Yass Valley.