There was a NSW-first in Dubbo last week as the Regional Rail Maintenance Facility became the first Transport maintenance centre in the state to be given an Indigenous name! ‘Mindyarra’ is a Wiradjuri word meaning ‘to fix or repair’, and was chosen to represent the work that will occur at the maintenance facility, as well as the work we are doing to create a future of healing with the Traditional Owners of the land on which the facility is located. It was also exciting to see the start of construction at the site on Friday with Regional Transport Minister Paul Toole. Mindyarra will play a major role in boosting employment and the local economy, with NSW’s entire regional rail fleet to be tested, maintained and serviced right here in Dubbo!
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Wiradjuri Wheels is a terrific program that provides free transport for Wellington youth, 3 days a week to take part in organised and supervised afternoon activities including swimming and water safety, multisport and fitness classes! It’s a great collaboration between Transport for NSW, Office of Sport, Dubbo Opportunity Hub, WINS Community Centre, Wellington PCYC, Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council and Dubbo Regional Council, and it was great to catch up with some of the kids with Minister Toole on Friday!
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We know that retirement village residents often have to wait for quite a long time for their premises to be sold before they receive their exit entitlements, which can place a heavy financial and personal burden on them and their families. This is simply not good enough, so we’ve changed the rules. We have introduced a raft of new reforms that will improve access to exit entitlements, make the transition to aged care easier and cap the period of time residents pay recurrent charges for general services. We’re also making it easier for retirement village residents to transition into aged care. This is about getting a fairer go for our local retirees and these laws will assist them with a level playing field.
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The NSW Government continues to deliver for regional areas with the Regional Growth Fund set to be turbocharged in the 2020/21 Budget. $100 million will be provided for another round of the Stronger Country Communities Fund which supports grassroots projects like the Wellington Caves Education Zone!
Until next week,
Dugald