All regions

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,

Women and girls across the region could benefit from funding to help enhance local sports facilities and boost participation, with applications now open for the NSW Government’s Female Friendly Sport Facilities and Lighting Upgrades Program. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the program provides grants of up to $500,000 to help make local sport facilities safer and more inclusive. “Community sport is a vital part of our social fabric and has really helped our region get through a lot of tough times,” Mr Saunders said. “This funding will help modernise facilities for local clubs, which will help get

Vulnerable groups in the Dubbo region will be supported to reconnect post-COVID, thanks to a grant from the NSW Government. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said Connecting Community Services (CCS) has secured $10,000 from the COVID-19 Community Connection and Wellbeing Program to “spread” the word with a flyer on learning to live with COVID. “CCS works with many vulnerable individuals and groups within our community, and sadly they report a lot of these people seem quite hesitant to re-engage,” Mr Saunders said. “By giving people access to information we empower them, so we can revive a better sense

Local freight operators in the Dubbo region are being invited to take part in a freight forum being held on Friday 28 October as part of a series of forums across NSW. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the forums were being held to discuss government projects and initiatives to support the industry into the future. “We’re inviting local freight operators to take part in discussions around future planning for freight in Dubbo and across NSW, current investments in new projects, along with initiatives and upcoming opportunities,” Mr Saunders said. “Hearing directly from local operators will ensure we

Community sport organisations can now score a major funding boost, with applications open for the NSW Government’s Local Sport Grant Program. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the program provides grants up to $10,000, with up to $50,000 available in each NSW electorate. “Community sporting clubs are the lifeblood of our community, and so many are in need of a cash injection so they can upgrade facilities and boost participation,” Mr Saunders said. “These grants have supported the Dubbo Dirt Bike Club’s annual Mac Daddy Memorial Cup charity event, Mudgee Rugby League’s inaugural Indigenous round, coaching for Gulgong

Working families could benefit from more quality Before and After School Care (BASC), thanks to two new grant programs for service providers. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government has committed $7.8 million to establish the grants which will encourage providers to offer new, inclusive and sustainable services: New Innovation Grants will offer up to $60,000 to stimulate innovation in the sector and help ensure BASC services support more NSW families, including students with additional needs; New Development Grants will offer up to $80,000 for stafftraining and professional development, and marketing to increase take up and

Organisations across the region can now apply for funding to support local community projects under the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the $12.5 million annual program supports new or upgraded facilities across sport and recreation, arts and culture, disaster readiness and community infrastructure. “This is a great chance for local organisations to seek funding for a project to provide long-term tangible benefits to the community,” Mr Saunders said. “The current round of funding will prioritise projects in flood-affected communities, supporting ongoing efforts to rebuild and repair damaged community infrastructure. “With floods and

Registered commercial beekeepers impacted by Varroa mite in the surveillance (purple) zones are now eligible for reimbursement payments under the agreed National Response Plan. Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government recognises that despite not needing to have hives euthanised like those in the eradication (red) zones, beekeepers in surveillance zones have also been adversely financially impacted by the Varroa mite response. “When we first saw an incursion of the Varroa mite in NSW, we immediately initiated a hive stand still for beekeepers in the eradication and surveillance zones,” Mr Saunders said. “This means that commercial beekeepers have

It’s not too late for job seekers to jump on board to help with the delivery of the NSW Government’s $19.4 billion regional roads and transport pipeline, during the most significant La Nina event the state has faced. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the ads went out two weeks ago for 47 jobs in the Dubbo electorate. “From road workers, truck drivers and plant operators to team leaders and project engineers, we are recruiting local people to work right here in our region,” Mr Saunders said. “Projects such as the New Dubbo Bridge and the Mindyarra Rail