Speaking at a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry last week, Cr Cornwell McKean was providing evidence on behalf of the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO), standing in for its chair and Murrumbidgee Mayor Ruth McRae.
RAMJO represents 12 councils from Wentworth to Albury, collectively serving more than 160,000 residents across the southern border region.
In her evidence, Cr Cornwell McKean highlighted the widening divide between metropolitan and regional NSW, particularly in access to essential health, education, transport and digital services.
Examples from Berrigan Shire illustrated challenges shared across the RAMJO region, including lengthy ambulance wait times, limited access to dialysis and cardiac diagnostic services, and the inability for stroke patients to receive treatment within the critical “golden hour”.
Cr Cornwell McKean also pointed to broader service gaps affecting the region’s growing population, including unreliable digital connectivity, ageing school infrastructure, limited youth services and electricity supply constraints that are restricting local development.
Cross-border service delivery formed a major part of her testimony.
“It’s a special situation we have on the border,” Cr Cornwell McKean said.
“Cross-border issues affect almost every aspect of daily life here, yet the effectiveness of the cross-border commissioners has been deficient in terms of practical outcomes.
“We’re just not seeing real results.”
Many communities across the RAMJO catchment rely on Victorian services for health, education and transport, but NSW policy frameworks do not consistently recognise or accommodate this reality.
Cr Cornwell McKean urged the committee to strengthen and make greater use of the Office of the Cross-Border Commissioner to deliver meaningful improvements.
“We’re striving for equality across the RAMJO catchment,” she said.
“Our communities deserve fair access to essential services, no matter which side of the border they live on.”
RAMJO and its member councils say they will continue to advocate for reliable, equitable and coordinated service delivery, ensuring regional and border communities receive the support and opportunities they deserve.
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