In 2014, Kempsey Shire was ranked the 'fourth poorest shire in NSW'. I don't have to go on about the high crime and drug use/domestic violence statistics.

Well, here we are in 2017. The State Government has billions available, from the 'Poles and Wires' sale, and here we are one of the 132 local councils in NSW. Do the maths. If we stand up for ourselves and demand our fair share of that 'windfall', then we can get the valley's economic growth up to a healthy rate.

And that is what the Kempsey Council is trying to do. By investing in infrastructue we become eligible for government grants.

We are getting a $2 million grant from the Federal Government on the back of our $2 million investment into the Cinema Complex.

There are 'rivers of government money' out there at the moment, a volume that has never been seen before! Our valley deserves our share of that.

The State Government will pour money into our valley if we put forward 'productive/productivity raising proposals'.

So, rather than 'cinema or saleyards' , the council is saying: 'cinema, saleyards, roads, sewerage … ’ – as much as we can while the money is there. And the money is there, and the money is available.

We have to get this valley moving. The sluggish economic growth of the past 30 years is simply unacceptable. And the State and Federal Members of Parliament agree!

They will back the council, and the business sector of our valley, if we present a workable plan of action.

So let's start to think big for a change, and get past the crippling poverty mentality.