NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet paid a visit to the Coonamble township earlier today (Thursday 3 February), speaking to community representatives about local issues including health and education.

Mr Perrottet was joined by NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts and Regional Youth Ben Franklin and Western NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Mark Spittal in visiting organisations such as the Aboriginal Medical Service, Coonamble Shire Council and the local Multi-Purpose Health Service.

Mr Perrottet said it was his first time visiting the Coonamble community but it was really important to him and Mr Franklin to make visits to rural communities like it when opportunities arise.

"Coming out and understanding front and centre what are the challenges and what are the issues facing regional or remote communities really informs both of us in respect of policy development and where investments can be made," Mr Perrottet said.

"There's been challenges and focuses on the negatives over the past couple of years with COVID but a lot of good's come out of it in the way that we structure government services and the way that we invest taking a different path.

"So we're going out to places like the hospital to get the frank advice, pick out what's going well but also where things can be improved."

While the visit was brief and occurred at short notice, those who had a chance to speak to Mr Perrottet said they were glad for the opportunity to share their views.

Ben Franklin and Dominic Perrottet listening to Coonamble High School principal Stewart Vidler about the current state of local schools.

This included principals of the local state primary and secondary schools who raised with him ongoing issues with attracting new people to the town as well as keeping local children constantly engaged in the classroom.

Coonamble Shire Council Mayor Tim Horan said Mr Perrottet and Mr Franklin were also interested to speak to him about the state of the health industry in the town as well as the local response to COVID, including it's high vaccination rate.

"It's not something we need to be recognised for but it's good that they know there was communities with (vaccination) as a priority," Mr Horan said.

"You can only say so much about our priorities in the time they were here, but they seemed very receptive and were asking the right type of questions, which was great."