At last count 21 government and opposition cabinet members have been sighted in Orange of late.

The reason for this westward convoy of the politically prominent is obvious: the approaching byelection in the ‘colour city’.

In the wake of the controversial decisions on council amalgamations and the greyhound racing ban the result of the November 12 poll is being seen as a bellwether on Premier Mike Baird’s Government.

Desperate for a strong showing the premier and his deputy Troy Grant have been sending their big guns our way.

For an electorate, like many in the bush, that is used to being ignored there’s something semi-flattering about the sudden flood of interest our eastern neighbours are getting

It shows what can happen in any electorate where the result is up for grabs.

By the time the general election rolls around in 2019 there’s every chance Orange will once again be forgotten, so now is the time for the city’s stakeholders to make their requirements and desires known.

We can do the same here in Dubbo.

Our issues are just as important and there is no doubt the approval rating of the Nats has copped a hammering as a result of the same issues that have fired up Orange constituents – amalgamations and dogs.

Since 1947 the seat of Orange has been a Country Party-Nationals stronghold, almost always decided at the polls by double-digit primary margins.

As such, its constituents have by and large missed out on the pork-barrel promises party leaders doll out to the marginal seats which most Governments require to secure power.

In recent times, however, Dubbo has swung between Independents and the Nationals. In fact our member is the current party leader and someone who can achieve a lot for our area if we put a bit of pressure on and are willing to ask.

The Orange byelection won’t decide the next State Government. It’s important for different reasons.

The pollies may have come west of the mountains for the food, but it would be great if they could put some pork on our forks while they’re here.

All we have to do is ask.