Author name: Dugald Saunders

Students wrapping up their schooling will have the chance to gain new skills for summer jobs in industries experiencing labour shortages, under the NSW Governments Summer Skills program. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said access to fee-free training program will help school leavers find their feet as they try to match their early career opportunities with the right training. “Businesses in our region, and right across NSW, need workers and they need them now,” Mr Saunders said. “This program will help upskill young people to fill some of those jobs this summer. “Summer Skills gives young people meaningful

Regional apprentices, trainees and university students are set to benefit from a new $250 travel card to help with the cost of the commute to work, training or university. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the initiative will take the pressure off the hip pocket of apprentices, trainees and university students in regional NSW. “We’re investing in the tradies, teachers and technicians of tomorrow,” Mr Saunders said. “We know apprentices and university students in the bush often need to travel long distances for work or between training, classes and practical learning – and this is about easing that

Abergeldie has been selected as the successful contractor to build the New Dubbo Bridge across the Wambuul-Macquarie River, the floodplain and the adjoining road construction. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the project, which is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments, will improve traffic efficiency, reduce congestion for local, visiting and freight operators and commuters, and improve access across the Macquarie River floodplain during flood events. “Recent severe weather events have once again highlighted the need for a second high-level crossing of the Wambuul-Macquarie River at Dubbo, to keep our city open in times of flood,”

Plans to restore the Trangie Soldiers’ Memorial Hall have received a major boost, after Narromine Shire Council received $3000 from the Community War Memorials Fund. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the grant will enable council to gain engineering and heritage advice in order to repair and restore the hall. “The Trangie Soldiers’ Memorial Hall is a tribute to the men and women who have served our country, so it’s vital we make sure the hall is in a condition worthy of the people and the sacrifices it represents. “The hall is also a centrepiece of this bustling

Regional and rural councils will receive a $50 million boost to help address the increasing number of potholes brought on by this year’s extreme wet weather. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said under the new Fixing Local Roads Pothole Repair Round, the Narromine Shire, Dubbo Regional and Mid-Western Regional Councils can apply for funding to help them address their highest priority pothole repairs. “It is hard to drive anywhere on our road network without dodging potholes as a result of the wet weather we have experienced this year,” Mr Saunders said. “We’ve heard the calls for help loud

Horticultural primary producers across NSW can access grants of up to $100,000 for the purchase and installation of protective netting over crops as part of the Australian Government’s $35 million nation-wide Horticultural Netting Program Trial Expansion. Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the Australian Government had expanded an earlier trial in a number of states to provide assistance to growers in NSW. “The trial was well-received in other regions and we’re very pleased to be able to invest in resilience in NSW,” Minister Watt said. “It has been a tough year for growers with weather conditions,