Mr Mack met voters across Berrigan, Barooga, Tocumwal and Jerilderie plus met with Finley locals in Berrigan.
The Albury City Council Mayor is one of the lead candidates to challenge Liberal Party MP Sussan Ley, who has held the seat since 2001.
He said he had ‘‘some intimate discussion’’ about how people in the region are faring and described it as ‘‘quite drastic’’.
‘‘The diminishing numbers of population in their communities, decline of health services and decline of small business came up quite a fair bit.
‘‘There’s been a general decline right across the board and real sadness and despair.
‘‘I spoke with some Finley people two weeks ago and it’s the same message.
‘‘I’ve been in constant contact with Matt Hannan for the last few months; he and I sat with the Finley people a few weeks ago about what needs happening around Farrer.
‘‘The Berrigan visit was about catching up with some of the local business people and farmers to get a sense of what they want and their expectations.
‘‘It’s about having that open discussion and getting a better understanding of their needs and their concerns.
‘‘There’s a real sense of desperation out there and it’s quite obvious when you walk down the streets of Finley and Berrigan, people are really struggling.’’
During his visit to Jerilderie, Mr Mack said he spoke with small business owners and farmers regarding issues around water.
He said more people need to come forward with the problems they’re facing and help provide solutions.
‘‘We had a conversation about how they could provide solutions to the problem and there’s some discussion about pausing the (Murray Darling Basin) plan.
‘‘We also need to provide solutions to the government rather than providing more problems. With the water plan been so convoluted and complex it’s really important to work on other things and this includes a plan for irrigators that certainly fits with what’s go on.
‘‘It was raised that you’re looking at greenfield sites beyond the choke being used for almond growers but why aren’t they buying existing water licences east of the choke so people use that land and have access to current infrastructure demands. Why would you create more infrastructure further down the river?’’
On Saturday, Liberal candidate Justin Clancy was voted in the seat of Albury with a healthy 2.1 per cent swing in his favour, replacing outgoing MP Greg Aplin.
Although Albury was one of the few seats across the state where the Liberal Party received a positive swing, Mr Mack said he doesn’t hold much to the result.
He said there were many factors leading into the state election that will be different when he challenges Sussan Ley at the federal election.
‘‘I think people will see the Coalition has let them down and on the big stage the local member has let them down. Justin is a fresh face, but at the federal election people will be voting for someone who has been there for 18 years.
‘‘They want to see change and be heard. That will all be sorted out in due course.’’
Mr Mack said he will return to Southern Riverina ‘‘as often as possible’’.
‘‘Farrer is a big electorate and I need to continue to sit down with the businesses and people and understand what it will be like moving forward.
‘‘During the next few weeks there will be bigger community forums. These are held to be a bit more forensic, getting people to explain their issues and also introducing myself.
‘‘I will be visiting everyone including Griffith, Narrandera and Coleambally in the next five days,’’ Mr Mack said.
6°C