Chaired by Margot Anderson of the Comboyne Community Association, the meeting agenda was set by local residents who asked their federal MP about the recently announced carbon package, the state of local roads, coal seam gas mining and electricity prices.

“The questions really did reflect the value that communities such as Comboyne place on local infrastructure, the environment and public policy where it has the potential to impact on household budgets and cost of living expenses,” Mr Oakeshott said.

“The state of the Wingham Road was probably of most concern to residents, and I look forward to the upgrade being funded in the September State Budget, as per the pre-election commitment given to the people of Comboyne by the Deputy Premier and Oxley MP Andrew Stoner.

“Funding of local roads and bridges is usually a function of state and local governments, however, intense lobbying on behalf of our community delivered a $12.7 million windfall to Greater Taree City Council in the recent federal budget.

“I’m happy to continue to advocate for more Commonwealth funding to local councils because most are struggling to maintain their assets, but, in the end, it is the council that has the final say on where the funds are spent.

“Local communities need to lobby their councils if they want their roads projects prioritised.”

Mr Oakeshott said the other significant issue discussed was carbon pricing, the potential impact it would have on consumer prices, including electricity bills, and the opportunities it would present to the farm sector.

“Australia is already a world leader in soil science. The $1.8 billion land-sector package acknowledges this and now starts to place a real value on it,” Mr Oakeshott said.