FEDERAL member for Parkes Mark Coulton has expressed his excitement for all the ongoing developments in the Coonamble and Warrumbungle Shires following a visit to local communities last week.

Due to COVID restrictions on travel and ongoing wet weather, Mr Coulton said he hadn’t had a chance to properly visit the area for around six months, mostly getting news through virtual conversations with the local councils.

“Normally, I would be here every two or three months on a regular basis so I’m trying to catch up now that parliament’s finished and COVID’s eased restrictions,” Mr Coulton said.

“I’m not in the ministry anymore so that gives me the time to go back. You can blow through town and meet a few important people and take a photo and roll on but the important thing is to take the time and so that’s why we’re here today,” he said.

During his visit to Coonamble, Mr Coulton met up with representatives from CAHS and Meals on Wheels as well as Coonamble Shire Council General Manager Hein Basson.

He also visited a couple of locations to see some ongoing and completed council projects federal government funding had supported.

Coonamble Shire Council received more than $1.65 million - across two phases - through the government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) program and Mr Coulton said it was great to see the projects charging ahead.

“The new driveway and carpark at Coonamble Visitor Information Centre looks fantastic, while the construction of a toilet facility at Quambone and the upgrades to Coonamble Aerodrome and a number of local roads will make a significant difference for locals and visitors to the shire,” he said.

According to Mr Basson, funding to improve local road infrastructure was now more important than ever after all the recent water damage.

“I have great appreciation for our federal member to take the time out and come and visit through personal contact to check out how the projects are progressing through the funding,” he said.

“The drought funding we were able to spend on the sporting oval is significant but also such an important project. Sport, to my mind, plays such an important role in a community like ours.”

Mr Coulton also visited Warrumbungle Shire Director of Technical Services Gary Murphy to see some updates to 30 different projects, funded by $2.8 million through two LRCI phases.

This included the construction of kerb access ramps across the shire, fence upgrades and changeroom renovations at a number of the sporting fields.

"These projects will be beneficial for our communities, creating more accessible towns while boosting our recreational facilities greatly,” Mr Murphy said.