Author name: Dugald Saunders

Wine producers across NSW will test a new vineyard management app to strengthen the industry’s ability to respond to biosecurity threats. Minister for Agriculture and Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the Track & Trace pilot project will be carried out in Mudgee, as well as Orange, Tumbarumba and Canberra. “Under the pilot, wineries will download the Onside app to collect and store movement data for their property,” Mr Saunders said. “We will then put the app to the test by running a mock simulation exercise, based on a phylloxera plant incursion, to see if the data improves

Young people from across the Central West converged on Taronga Western Plains Zoo recently for a youth leadership forum supported by the NSW Government. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the ‘Connecting Country: Youth Leading the Way’ Summit, was a huge hit, bringing together 100 young people from Dubbo, Cobar, Kandos, Yeoval, the Central Coast and even Wilcannia. “When facing challenges like drought, a global pandemic or flooding, it’s not unusual for anyone to feel powerless,” Mr Saunders said. “With its focus on environmental conservation, this summit was all about empowering our young people with really practical actions

Grassroots sporting organisations, clubs and councils can now apply for a share of $43 million to help repair and rebuild flood affected sports facilities and infrastructure. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the Essential Community Sport Assets Program was now available to 74 local government areas (LGAs) impacted by the February-March and June-July floods, including Narromine Shire, Dubbo Regional and Mid-Western Regional. “We know that the floods and storms experienced throughout this year resulted in widespread damage, impacting sporting organisations and clubs,” Mr Saunders said. “This funding will help repair, restore and improve flood damaged community sports facilities

Locals are being urged to double down on their recycling efforts this week to mark National Recycling Week. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the theme of this year’s National Recycling Week is ‘Waste isn’t Waste until it’s Wasted’. “This is an important week because it helps remind us about how we can each waste less and recycle more in our daily lives,” Mr Saunders said. “For example, if you’re not already turning trash into treasure through our Return and Earn scheme, I encourage you to start collecting your bottles and taking them into a local drop off

Primary producers affected by ongoing flooding in New South Wales can apply for recovery grants of up to $25,000 as part of the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. The grants are now available for eligible primary producers in the Local Government Areas that have been disaster declared from the most recent storm and flood event. The assistance is available for the immediate clean-up and recovery costs to repair extensive damage to properties. A full list of eligible LGAs can be viewed on the NSW Rural Assistance Authority’s (RAA’s) Declared Natural Disasters webpage. Primary producers are encouraged not to

More than 4500 new patients have taken advantage of increased financial assistance available to people in regional communities who need to travel long distances to receive specialist care. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said over 1000 new patients from the Western and Far West Local Health Districts have lodged claims under the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) since the NSW Government’s $149.5 million funding boost came into effect. “It is fantastic that we’re able to help reduce the financial burden for regional patients and their families who have to travel for treatment,” Mr Saunders said.

About 2300 school students and over 200 teachers flocked to the Dubbo Showgrounds today for the second leg of the inaugural Stand Tall Regional Tour, supported by the NSW Government. Tailored for high school students, the event brings together inspirational speakers like Olympic medallist Nicola Mcdermott, The Voice 2021 winner, Bella Taylor-Smith, professional freestyle motocross riders Lance Russelland Ryley Davisand keynote speaker Michael Crossland. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said it was great to see such a huge turnout after what has been a really challenging few years for young people. “Our region’s youth are facing a very different

The NSW Government remains confident the State can become the first jurisdiction in the world to eradicate Varroa mite, as the emergency response reaches 100 days.  Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the Department of Primary Industries has worked closely with other agencies and the beekeeping industry to contain the spread since Varroa mite was detected in sentinel hives at the Port of Newcastle in June.   “Varroa mite is the most serious threat to honey bees globally and if it was to settle in Australia, not only would it cost the honey industry $70 million a year, but it would