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Farmers have 12 months to access the NSW Government’s $2,000 rebate on sideby-side vehicles and join more than 4,000 customers who have bought a saferalternative to traditional quad bikes.Minister for Fair Trading Eleni Petinos said further rebates were available to farmers and rural businesses who undertook an eligible SafeWork training course.“We are encouraging farmers to access these rebates which can go towards the purchase of eligible side-by-side vehicles, roll bars, compliant helmets and droneswhich can help check stock, fences, and dams,” Ms Petinos said.“Since being introduced, the rebate program has supported the purchase of almost 4,400 new side-by-side vehicles, 1,339 […]

Three groups have been shortlisted for a central role in establishing Australia’s first renewable energy zone, a key component of NSW’s energy infrastructure plans to put downward pressure on electricity bills. The short-listed tenderers for the Central-West Orana renewable energy zone (REZ) transmission network are: ACE Energy, comprising Acciona, Cobra and Endeavour Energy; Network REZolution, comprising Pacific Partnerships, UGL, CPB Contractors and APA Group; and NewGen Networks, comprising Plenary Group, Elecnor, Essential Energy and SecureEnergy The network operator will be responsible for designing, financing, building, operating and maintaining the network infrastructure for the Central-West Orana REZ. The new grid connections

Landcare and environmental groups can now apply for funding to repair and restore their properties damaged by drought, bushfires or floods. The $3 million Landcare Riparian Restoration Grant program will provide funding of up to $50,000 for groups to carry out on-ground projects such as riverbank and stream restoration, on-farm erosion works and tree planting. Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said restorative works have never been more important following a tough few years for the state. “When a natural disaster strikes, it is critical that as a Government, we do all we can to get landholders back on their feet

Patients at the Western Cancer Centre will have more convenient access to treatment, thanks to 20 new car spaces opened near the entrance. Member for the Dubbo electorate, and Minister for Western NSW, Dugald Saunders welcomed the “significant milestone” in the NSW Government’s $30 million Dubbo Hospital car park project, after 40-spaces were opened on the eastern side in November 2021. “The Dubbo Hospital redevelopment has been a game-changer for healthcare in our region, but more services means greater demand for parks,” Mr Saunders said. “When you’re undergoing any kind of treatment, but particularly for cancer, the last thing you

Electric vehicles will now be able to make the drive from Sydney all the way to Broken Hill, after the final piece of the network of fast chargers along the Barrier Highway was switched on. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the chargers at Wilcannia and Cobar formed part of the 20 sites rolling out across the regions under a $3 million partnership between the NSW Government and the NRMA to deliver the country’s biggest network of EV charging stations. “Now that we’ve rolled out the final chargers along the Barrier Highway, located at Wilcannnia, Cobar,

Almost 100 firefighting and aviation experts have descended on Dubbo this weekend for the Rural Fire Service (RFS) Aviation Forum, bringing together firefighters and personnel from the State Emergency Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service. Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke joined Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders and Assistant Commissioner Ben Millington at the State Training Academy for the forum and a demonstration of the state-of-the-art aviation simulator. “This forum is an important opportunity for firefighters and other personnel to collaborate, hone their skills and workshop emerging technologies will improve

The State’s top first responders have converged on the Dubbo Showgrounds this weekend to compete in the three-day Road Crash Rescue Challenge. Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the competition involves crews from Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Police Force, NSW Ambulance, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW Volunteer Rescue Association, Mines Rescue NSW, Endeavour Energy and the Victorian Country Fire Authority. “The road crash rescue teams are being put through their paces in a range of challenges and scenarios including road crashes, trauma management, industrial and domestic rescues,

Veterans and their families in the Gulgong region will continue to have a memorial befitting their service and sacrifice, thanks to funding from the NSW Government. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has today announced $3000 from the NSW Government’s Community War Memorials Fund for the Gulgong RSL sub-branch to commission a condition report on the Gulgong District Soldiers Memorial. “Our region is so proud of those who served to make our country the wonderful place it is today,” Mr Saunders said. “It’s important that we continue to honour them with a tribute that reflects everything they have done

Current and ex-defence force personnel living in regional NSW will be able to travel for free on public transport to and from events this Anzac Day long weekend. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said all modes of public transport in regional areas will be free for veterans and their families, including those of deceased service personnel, from Saturday 23 to Monday 25 April to allow them to attend commemorative services. “We’ve faced a very challenging two years and it is great to see in our local ANZAC day services return to normal this year,” Mr Saunders said. “To

The Royal Agricultural Society’s bicentenary Sydney Royal Easter Show has come to an end, with this year’s event welcoming a staggering 900,000 visitors. Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Dugald Saunders said the turnout was testimony to the strength of the event and the recovery of the agricultural sector after the impacts of drought and COVID-19. “It has been amazing to see so many people join in to celebrate our regional communities and agricultural achievements after a difficult few years,” Mr Saunders said. “In the last few years, NSW has faced one of the longest and most intense droughts in