THE poor condition of Orange’s roads and a lack of job security are the two biggest problems facing Orange residents according to the results of Member for Calare John Cobb’s latest annual survey.
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The survey was mailed to residents in Mr Cobb’s electorate in August and his office received about 3000 replies.
“The results in the survey reflect the correspondence coming into my office from our community over the last year,” Mr Cobb said.
Mr Cobb said an overwhelming number of people, 73 per cent, said they want to see an improvement in local roads given priority.
“Happily the federal government has tripled Roads to Recovery Funding to ensure councils can continue upgrading roads across Bathurst and Orange,” Mr Cobb said.
Almost 70 percent of respondents from Orange said they felt it was important for the federal government to continue to invest in skilling its workforce to ensure their job security.
“After a tough year or so across the Central West it’s not surprising job security is a concern for locals,” Mr Cobb said.
“The coalition is working hard to ensure a strong regional workforce securing the landmark China Australia free trade agreement.
“This has created big opportunities for Calare and will see growth in all industries including in health, education and agriculture.”
Mr Cobb said this week’s launch of the Coalition’s new innovation and science agenda will also provide assistance for local business by providing support for entrepreneurs to “back their ideas and get access to the capital they need”.
Mr Cobb said the initiative would also help forge closer connections between industry and research, particularly in agriculture.
“There are also new initiatives for our young people to get the digital literacy and science, technology and maths skills they need for the jobs of the future,” he said.
Mr Cobb said the survey also revealed people were supportive of the Coalition’s work for the dole program.
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au