In the lead-up to this weekend's Local Government election, The Times conducted a poll asking our readers, what are the top three issues facing the region?

The number one response was medical services and a lack of medical professionals.

"A major issue is a need for more doctors," one respondent said, while another acknowledged access to GPs was a concern, but said it was not a local council issue.

"There is not enough funding for Inverell Hospital," one resident said. "It has a busier ED than Armidale but has less staff," they added.

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And there is a lack of other services too according to respondents: childcare, teachers, after school care and cheaper/department store shopping options.

Another said there was also a rental property shortage.

"There should be free or sponsored activities for children/youth," according to one resident.

Some say the swimming pool needs an upgrade along with roads, "particularly in subdivisions around town" one person said. Another called for more transparency from council around infrastructure and road projects.

While others called for better presentation of the town. "The approaches to town need a face lift," someone said. "Public art," another added. "Other towns have more prominent use of this to attract and maintain interest in our town(s)."

"The rubbish people just drop, chuck out of cars, especially glass," is a concern also. "I'm tired of the lookout having rubbish dumped on the ground or tables when you literally have to drive past bins; it's lazy," they said.

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One resident asked for the council tip to be "brought into this century" and become a recycle centre. "Smaller towns than us do it; Coffs Harbour does it brilliantly," they said.

Some agreed drainage was also an issue along with a lack of council service to small towns.

Unemployment, homelessness and climate change were topics also raised.

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