Author name: Dugald Saunders

More families will have access to preschool thanks to a new round of funding creating additional places in preschools for children on waitlists. The NSW Government is continuing its commitment to increase access to preschool for communities across the state with another round of Start Strong Capital Works Grants for community preschools. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said he understands that preschool is incredibly important to a child’s development and their performance later in their schooling. “Not only are we helping cater to growing demand for more places in preschools with these grants, we’re also supporting jobs in

Businesses are encouraged to sign up for a free-of-charge webinar to learn about NSW Government support for workers and their employers, with a focus on insurance, workers compensation and workplace relations. Funded by the NSW Government, the NSW Small Business COVID-19 Information Webinar – Business Support and Wellbeing is targeted at business owners and will launch on Thursday, 25 June. The event will be facilitated by Small Business Commission speakers and will include representatives from the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), NSW Office of Industrial Relations and icare. The webinar will cover topics such as:  Understanding health and wellbeing; the

It is great to see reforms announced today that will allow for a fairer and more transparent process when people leave retirement villages. I received a lot of correspondence from residents across the electorate in relation to this issue, and I spoke with Minister Anderson on a number of occasions to convey what I was being told by residents who live in our local villages. The reforms remove a lot of the financial and mental burden from residents. They will receive what they are entitled to in a quicker and more streamlined process, and that is exactly the way it

The Western Cancer Centre is one step closer to becoming a reality, after the first concrete was poured at the site of the $35 million facility at Dubbo Hospital. The first pour focused on the ‘bunker’ for radiation therapy services, which is a first for the Dubbo region. The bunker walls will be up to 2.3 metres thick and will be home to the linear accelerator machine that is used to administer radiation treatment to patients. This milestone follows demolition of the old Dialysis Unit and Operating Theatres which commenced in February this year; both of which have moved into

The Central-West of NSW is set for a jobs and investment bonanza, following massive interest in the State’s first Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) and a further $31.6 million of funding from the NSW Government. Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government had received 113 registrations of interest, totalling 27 gigawatts and valued at $38 billion, looking to connect to the 3 gigawatt REZ in the Central West and Orana regions of NSW. “With our local communities doing it tough from drought and now the COVID-19 pandemic, this phenomenal response shows the massive opportunity REZs can create with jobs, investment

The Dubbo electorate has welcomed three new police officers to the beat, all members of the most recent class to attest from the NSW Police Academy in Goulburn. On Monday, Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders met with probationary constables Sarah Maini, Brendan Newman and Sharn Stewart as they enjoyed their first day on the job. Mr Saunders said the new officers will bring a range of life experience and skills to their new roles. “We have recently seen some high-profile examples of the work done by police attached to Orana Mid-Western Police District, but that work is going