Earlier this week, Ms McKay visited Taree and Forster for the first time since becoming NSW Opposition Leader.

"I've made visiting rural NSW my priority," Ms McKay, who grew up in Gloucester, said.

"I've done a lot of travel in drought stricken areas- I've been to Broken Hill, Menindee, Dubbo and Armidale."

With the bill for the Sydney light rail line in mind, Ms McKay believes regional NSW continues to be shortchanged.

"We've got a massive infrastructure spend in Sydney, budgets that are blowing out," Ms McKay said.

"Imagine what that could do in rural NSW.

"My job is to hold the government to account but it's also to make sure the Labor Party cares and understands rural NSW as I do."

During her visit, Ms McKay met with bush fire relief volunteers at Taree Showground.

"They're doing such an incredible job and even when I was there families were still walking in who are in need," Ms McKay said.

"I think this community has come together when you look at what the volunteers have done- it's awe-inspiring."

The main focus of her visit however was to address the health needs of Manning and Great Lakes residents.

In the wake of the bush fire crisis, Ms McKay claimed an election promise to build a public hospital in the Great Lakes area has been 'exposed'.

She said Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead needs to identify the time frame for it to start and finish, where it will be, what services will be provided, cost, budget allocations, a commitment it will be a public hospital and a promise that Manning Hospital won't be downgraded due to the build.

"I think the government needs to be honest about what it has planned, we're not suggesting a full service hospital, we have that in Manning Hospital," Ms McKay said.

"The government has made a $140 million commitment there and we support that.

"What we are saying to the government is there needs to be some meat around the bones.

"It was a promise made around the election and I think when you look also at the number of visitors that areas gets in December and January, the holiday period, it is important there is a hospital service available there.

"There are a lot of questions which need to be answered and right now we have no answers to any of those questions.

"It's an important announcement made by the (NSW) government that we (NSW Labor Party) support but, hey, time to deliver."

Ms McKay gave a personal perspective about the importance of health services in the region.

"My sisters and I are regularly bringing her (mum) over to Forster or Taree for specialist treatment so I do know how important it is to have proper health services and my job is hold the government to account which is why I am here because never was it more obvious that there needs to be a commitment fulfilled then during the fires when we saw Forster-Tuncurry isolated," Ms McKay said.

Speaking with former Country Labor candidate for Myall Lakes Dr David Keegan and other health professionals, Ms McKay said a polyclinic would be a prefer option over a public hospital.

For Mr Bromhead's response to Ms McKay's comments, read journalist Nicholas Brooks' report on the Great Lakes Advocate website.