At the Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce's Meet the Candidates event on Tuesday, May 7, candidates responded questions on the funding of an equestrian centre at Kendall, Lake Cathie water quality, support for small businesses, mobile reception, recycling and funding for the ABC.

Candidates including Phil Costa (Australian Labor Party), Dr David Gillespie (The Nationals), Garry Bourke (United Australia Party), Ryan Goldspring (Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party), Ed Caruana (Australian Workers Party), Jeremy Miller (Independent) and Stuart Watson (The Greens) attended the event.

Dean McRae (Liberal Democrats) and Catherine Zhao (Christian Democrats) did not attend the forum.

Recently a state-of-the-art equestrian centre at Kendall received a setback after not being successful in a grant application for state government funding.

If elected, candidates were asked if they would support the project and commit to funding for the $5.5 million project.

Mr Costa congratulated the Camden Haven Show Society and said while he couldn't commit to the funding, he would take the project to the relevant Minister if elected.

Dr Gillespie said he would continue to work to ensure the project comes to fruition, as it will be a great economic driver for the region.

Mr Bourke said he would support the project and believes the area around the centre could be expanded to perhaps include a mobile home area.

Mr Goldspring agreed that the project would be of major benefit for the community and visitors to the area.

Mr Caruana said the project would bring an injection of funds into the community but it would be unwise to commit to the project without knowing the full cost.

Mr Miller said the society had put the hard work in and it was time to get on and get it done.

Mr Watson offered the society his service in doing plans for solar to make the centre environmentally friendly.

A member of the public addressed Dr Gillespie directly in relation to mobile reception blackspots in the Camden Haven.

The man attended a Meet the Candidates forum three years ago and said Dr Gillespie had told him the problem would be fixed. The man questioned why the community should trust Dr Gillespie as their leader.

Dr Gillespie responded to the man's concerns and said the party had already done a lot in committing to mobile tower implementation in the region.

He said the Prime Minister is aware of the problem in the electorate and acknowledged there is still more work to do.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council Mayor Peta Pinson addressed the candidates and said she was looking forward to a good working relationship with the successful Lyne candidate.

For more information about where and how to vote visit www.aec.gov.au