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The vital work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) has received a $140,000 boost thanks to the generous NSW residents who donated their refunds from recycling bottles and cans through Return and Earn. RFDS, which provides accessible and equitable healthcare to rural, regional and remote NSW, was added as a listed charity to Return and Earn earlier this year. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said this was an impressive achievement, particularly considering lockdown restrictions. “The Flying Doctors deliver vital healthcare to outback communities and $140,000 will make a real difference to the important services they provide,” Mr […]

The children of the Dubbo electorate unleashed their creativity in this year’s Christmas card design competition, according to Member for the Dubbo Electorate Dugald Saunders. Each year Mr Saunders calls for primary-school children across the electorate to help design his Christmas card, and this year 12-year-old Aaron Devenish has brought the title back to Mudgee Public School. Hot on his heels were 10-year-old Zeon Berger from St Mary’s Primary School in Dubbo, and 9-year-old Emily Lucan from Orana Heights Public School. “This year saw a record number of entries with the theme ‘Let Loose from Lockdown’ – and the kids

Communities across the Western NSW Local Health District will benefit from the NSW Government’s $500 million health infrastructure boost, with $6 million in equipment to be delivered across the region. NSW Deputy Premier and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said the funding would upgrade the Local Health District’s biomedical equipment. “Funding will improve the LHDs scope equipment, and that means if you undergo procedures like an endoscopy or colonoscopy your medical team will have access to the most up to date technology to deliver those services to rural patients,” Mr Toole said. “The fastest growing part of our region’s population

Prepare a bushfire survival plan, don’t drive through floodwater, swim between the flags and make sure your home is fire safe this summer – these are some of the summer safety tips NSW emergency service agencies have shared ahead of the 2021 season. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said now is the time to prepare, ahead of decorating your home for Christmas and enjoying hot days by the water. “People can’t become complacent – it is vital that everyone takes the time to know what your risk is and prepare,” Mr Saunders said. All communities are urged to

Sporting organisations across the Dubbo electorate can apply for a share in up to $100 million in grants, with the opening of the NSW Government’s Multi-Sport Community Facility Fund. This Fund will help provide more opportunities for people to play sport, and be healthy and active, by investing in new or upgraded multi-sport facilities. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said there’s $100 million available in 2021/22, and another $100 million available in 2022/23. “Sport is a way of life across our region, and I’m calling for all clubs, associations and councils to take advantage of the opportunity to

Cancer patients within a 200 kilometre radius of Dubbo will have better access to cancer treatment thanks to funding from the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnerships program. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders today announced $42,481 for Cancer Council NSW to purchase a vehicle for its transport to treatment services. “Cancer council volunteers drive hundreds of kilometres every week to help patients get to treatment, and demand for transport will only increase with the opening of the new Western Cancer Centre in Dubbo,” Mr Saunders said. “Anecdotally we know the COVID-19 pandemic has seen a lot of people putting

Communities across the Central West and Orana are being invited to help shape the region’s future by giving feedback on the NSW Government’s draft plan to support housing, jobs and investment in the region over 20 year. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the Central West and Orana Regional Plan 2041 sets out strategies to guide development in the region’s 19 local government areas including Dubbo, Mid-Western, and Narromine. “Dubbo is the heart of the Central West and Orana region, and it’s important we get the community’s feedback on this plan to facilitate more housing and investment, while

TAFE students across the Dubbo electorate will benefit from a $230,000 investment in on-campus technologies. The NSW Government is investing a total of $10 million in technology for TAFE NSW classrooms, providing students with the best possible opportunity to learn. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the region is receiving 220 new devices across the Dubbo, Dubbo Rural Skills Centre, Dunedoo, Mudgee, and Wellington campuses. “The classroom asset refresh program is testament to the NSW Government’s commitment to TAFE NSW and delivering the pipeline of skilled workers that industry needs,” Mr Saunders said. “Upgrading technology across our state-wide

The appointment of the state’s first Property Services Commissioner will strengthen the real estate sector and support consumer protections across the Dubbo electorate, according to state member Dugald Saunders. Commissioner John Minns will be responsible for ensuring a strong, vibrant property sector, responsive to the needs of property services professionals and one that has the highest compliance and professional standards for the benefit of consumers. Mr Saunders said Commissioner Minns will help the government be more responsive to issues facing the sector, including the unprecedented housing shortage currently gripping regional NSW. “From Gulgong to Trangie, our region is enjoying unprecedented

The NSW Government will invest more than $8 million in a suite of grant programs to accelerate the recovery of the NSW visitor economy as the state reopens to visitors.  Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the funding was great news for the local visitor economy and would support tourism businesses across the electorate as life after COVID-19 restrictions resumed. “More than ever, our visitor economy needs support to build on the potential of the tourism offering in our region, which is amongst the best in the State,” Mr Saunders said. “Our tourism operators have been dealt consecutive