Firstly, Mr Taylor said he was happy to work with the Upper Lachlan Council as they are a strong Council in great shape.

“They are a strong Council that is doing very well.”

“I look forward to working with them for many years to come if I get that opportunity,” he said.

Telecommunications

MP Taylor said, “A big focus of mine in the past few years, and continuing to be a focus because the work’s not finished, is telecommunications infrastructure funding in the Upper Lachlan area.”

“It is a vast area, with a vast population, so infrastructure is incredibly important.

“Our achievements are significant with the Crookwell TV tower now in place - being years in the making.”

This is a big accomplishment to Angus Taylor's first term as the local member, with the feedback from local residents being fantastic.

“The local Council has been good to work with as well as others in the community.”

At present, there are significant telecommunications rollouts happening with upgrades to mobile phone towers across the area.

“We have a mini 4G tower in Dalton and the Crookwell phone tower has been upgraded in the last few months,” he said.

There are more towers to be built using Federal Government funding in Dalton, Tarlo and Golspie and they [the Government] are awaiting news for the next round.

“I have pitched hard for a mobile phone tower at Bigga encompassing the Bigga to Reids Flat to Rugby areas,” Mr Taylor said.

“That's the triangle where we know we have significant issues.

“In the interim, there is a mini tower at Bigga to cover the Bigga village that is now voice and data activated.”

The NBN

The NBN is currently rolling out in Goulburn and as soon as it’s completed, it will be coming to Crookwell, expected early next year.

That means fibre will be rolled out in Crookwell - high speed internet.

The NBN satellite has been switched on recently for people in the more remote areas of the Shire.

“They now have access to high quality, high speed, non congested internet.” Taylor told the Gazette.

“This is a really big breakthrough for these areas.

“They may not have mobile phone service but they now have access to a high speed internet service which is real good news.

“There are seven different retailers providing that service and the pricing is good, very competitive.” Mr Taylor said.

Roads to Recovery funding

Just under $7.7 million has been allocated between 2014 - 2019.

“A big increase on past funding.”

This money is being used by the Councils to invest in roads around the region, which they would not normally have had.

“We leave it to the discretion of the Councils as to where the money is allocated.” Mr Taylor said.

“It is a big infrastructure and investment program across the region.

“When you add up the amount we are spending here on TV, internet and roads, the Federal Government has never made this amount of investment on infrastructure across the Upper Lachlan ever before.

Main complaints from residents

When the Gazette asked Mr Taylor about the main concerns he has been hearing from residents on his rounds he said, “roads, jobs and telecommunications.”

“People want more local jobs.”

“This is a big issue to us.

“They want to see managed growth in the area, keeping the character of Crookwell as it is such a beautiful area.

“This is why our focus on “Jobs and Growth” is so important.

“Most jobs in Crookwell come from the small business and farming sectors.

“Our whole policy in the budget and in the election campaign is about getting small businesses and farms investing and creating more work.”

Initiatives like accelerated depreciation is working.

This means that when a farmer puts up a silo or builds a fence they can immediately get a tax deduction.

The services providers are saying this initiative has had a big impact on investment across the region with more jobs being created.

Another bonus to the region is the really good prices for meat coming from the agricultural sector.

“This focus on “Jobs and growth” is absolutely relevant to Crookwell because local jobs is such an important issue.”

Renewables

“We need to get the balance right.” Mr Taylor added.

“There is great potential in the Crookwell area to create more jobs through further subdivision encouraging more people to move into the area onto small farming blocks but we don’t want to deter that by having wind turbines built in the wrong places.

“I want to see balance, and I want to see job creation in the local area.” Mr Taylor explained.

International tourists

With the announcement that the Canberra airport will soon have opportunity for international flights.

This may open the door for the tourist market in Crookwell.

Marketed correctly, there may soon be an influx of short-stay tourists in the area.

“Tourism is a great opportunity for this region in addition to agriculture and small business,” Mr Taylor explained.

“With Crookwell being so central to Sydney, Canberra and the western areas this will bring great potential.

“The weather, altitude and seasons in this region are a big attraction.

“In order to encourage this, you have to have good telecommunications and good businesses to service those who visit.

“It’s a region with enormous potential as it is important as a Government to provide the platform for success and growth and prosperity.” said Mr Taylor.