The NSW Country Mayors Association (CMA) extended its gratitude for the Coalition's Local Government funding pledge on 14 April. 

Nonetheless, the peak body are appealing to federal candidates to do more to ensure local government sustainability. 

"Country Mayors in NSW are pleased that the spotlight has been directed onto the inadequacy of the Financial Assistance Grants that they depend on," CMA Chair Temora Mayor Rick Firman said. 

"However, there is no commitment from the government, coalition, or any other party to improve the broad untied funding program." 

In particular, the CMA campaigned for a return of the Government Financial Assistance Grants from 0.5 percent of Australian taxation revenue to one percent to keep up with local government's growing responsibilities. 

"Local governments around Australia are increasingly being called upon to provide healthcare services and housing, manage ageing infrastructure and assets, and respond to current and future climate adaptation needs," Committee Chair of the Interim Australian Government Report into Local Government Sustainability MP Luke Gosling said. 

"These additional responsibilities are placing a significant financial strain on local governments who are struggling to meet community expectations, especially in rural, regional, and remote local government areas." 

"Country areas have been neglected way too long, it has to stop," Trumpet of Patriots Parkes Candidate Petrus van der Steen said.

Mr Van der Steen said the Trumpet of Patriots' stance is to "fund worthwhile programs with a proven track record to work and cut the ones that don't deliver."

"Major important infrastructure projects will get the funding they need to be completed satisfactory. Not band-aid solutions."

Nationals Candidate for Parkes Jamie Chaffey acknowledged that local governments in regional Australia need more support. 

"As the immediate past CMA chair and the previous Mayor of Gunnedah, I have had firsthand practical experience with the financial struggles of local government due to the increase in cost shifting and the out-of-touch annual Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) rate peg determinations.

"On top of this, we have seen over the past three years, a dramatic reduction in non-competitive grant funding streams from the Commonwealth Government."

 Jamie Chaffey handing out flyers in Coolah. Photo: Jamie Chaffey.

Mr Chaffey promised the Nationals will establish a $20  billion Regional Australia Future Fund and reinstate the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program should the party be re-elected. 

"I will share my knowledge and experience in The Nationals and the coalition party room to advocate more support for the tier of government that I have the utmost respect for, local government.' 

The Western Plains app reached out to the other Parkes candidates for comment, but they did not reply in time for deadline.