Potholes, solar panels and compulsory land acquisition are some of the biggest issues to emerge from NSW Farmers' election debate series, which is set to heat up in the final two weeks.
The energy transition and its impact on country communities has emerged as a major issue during four debates hosted by NSW Farmers, alongside road and rail repair, water security and climate policies.
Ministers, shadow ministers and minor parties faced tough questioning during the debates in Goulburn, Bega, Armidale and Muswellbrook, and NSW Farmers Head of Policy Annabel Johnson said people wanted to know how the next government would make things better.
"This is going to be a very tight election with the cost of living crisis hurting everyone, families and farmers alike, and they're wanting to know what will be done about it," Ms Johnson said.
"Roads range from ordinary to terrible across the state, and at the same time there's this huge land development pressure - people are feeling like things are being done to their communities without any consultation.
"For those people who have their land compulsorily acquired for big new projects, there's a real question around whether they're being treated fairly and getting paid enough."
The community of Merriwa, in the Upper Hunter, was a prime example of the pressures facing rural areas, Ms Johnson said. Situated on the Golden Highway between Newcastle and Dubbo, Merriwa will become a major thoroughfare for trucks and workers building renewable energy projects. Locals raised concerns about schoolchildren crossing highway to access sporting fields, and feared Sydney-style traffic jams without urgent intervention.
"Locals told the politicians that Merriwa isn't benefitting from all this new development, but it's bearing the burden, and it's just one of many towns facing similar pressures," Ms Johnson said.
"Both the government and opposition admitted there was a problem here, but it's not clear what the solution will be.
"It's clear we need a better method of community engagement when these big projects are proposed, and a better system of scoping out what the full impacts are."
The issue of people feeling unfairly treated when their land was acquired was an important issue for NSW Farmers and voters, with concerns people weren't receiving a fair value for their property. Ms Johnson said NSW Farmers had called for reform of the Just Terms Compensation Act to be more suitable for rural land interventions in its election platform.
With the cost of producing food and fibre skyrocketing as inflation bites all Australians, Ms Johnson said there had to be a dedicated focus on stronger regions and securing agricultural production from the next government.
"Country communities grow Sydney's food, and they want to know they won't be left behind as governments tackle economic pressures and a changing climate," Ms Johnson said.
"People have said they want to be treated with respect and dealt with fairly, and I'd say that message will come through loud and clear at our final two debates.
"NSW Farmers is telling all parties they will need to expand their focus beyond Sydney to win these crucial votes and form government."
