Shadow Minister for Local Government Greg Warren has condemned the federal government for rejecting Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council's request for funding under a drought assistance package.
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Councillors were devastated to learn that neighbouring local government areas had received $1 million in funding as part of a federal government drought assistance package, yet Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council had been shunned.
Mr Warren said to be eligible, a certain percentage of residents within a community had to be employed in the agriculture sector - about 17 per cent.
However, Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council fell just short of that requirement.
Mr Warren called on the federal government to - for once - use common sense.
"This is just the latest kick in the guts for the communities of Gundagai and Cootamundra, who are still reeling from the NSW Liberals and Nationals' ill-advised forced council mergers policy," Mr Warren said.
"It beggars belief that surrounding councils qualified yet Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council was ineligible.
"This is not a matter of robbing Peter to pay Paul - it's simply about treating everyone equally.
"The NSW Liberals and Nationals must take a stand against their federal colleagues and demand Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council receive its fair share of funding."
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council Mayor Abb McAlister added: "It's certainly disappointing".
"Other nearby council areas only have one major town but we have two, so we have two lots of towns suffering.
"This money would have helped businesses.
"There is other discretionary funding so hopefully we get some of that," cr McAlister said.
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