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The NSW Government has announced that applications are now open for the 2021 round of the Community Grants Program. Not-for-profit day care services, mobile preschools and community preschools in NSW are eligible to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to support initiatives at their service. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the program is helping to promote educational access, and supporting increased participation for Aboriginal children and children experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage. “The NSW Government is supporting early childhood services to identify areas where they can empower communities and provide them with the support to improve services. […]

I want to commend and thank everyone across the Dubbo region who has come forward to be tested for COVID-19 this morning. The Western NSW Local Health District has mobilised quickly to establish a drive-through clinic at the Dubbo Showground, and the scenes there this morning demonstrate that the Dubbo community is taking this situation seriously. Police are managing traffic but I would urge motorists to exercise caution when travelling past the showground, and avoid the area if possible. It is wonderful to see the people of the Dubbo community doing the responsible thing and getting tested. It has been

Farmers battling the devastating mouse plague will be able to claim up to $10,000 from the NSW Government in a $100 million extension of the Mouse Control Program. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said primary producers experiencing financial hardship as a result of the plague will soon be able to apply for rebates for the purchase of the critical control chemical zinc phosphide. “This new funding will offer primary producers across the state’s west financial relief by providing a rebate of 50 per cent on zinc phosphide purchases, up to $10,000, to help cash flow and confidence to

With families driving across the state to see their loved ones this school holiday period, Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has reminded drivers to shop around for the cheapest fuel prices via the FuelCheck app. The FuelCheck app provides accurate, real-time price information for every petrol station in NSW, so that motorists can quickly and easily search for the best deal. “So many families will be hitting the road and travelling to and from our region. Do yourself a favour – get the app and save your money to spend in town and support local businesses,” Mr Saunders

Fishers are in line for free yabby nets as part of plans to transition the State to open-top nets to protect vulnerable native wildlife. Member for the Dubbo Electorate Dugald Saunders said the NSW Government is giving away 5,000 yabby nets to recreational fishers as part of the comprehensive program to phase out the use of enclosed yabby traps in NSW from 30 April 2021. “‘Opera house’ style yabby traps pose a risk to air breathing animals such as platypus, water rats and turtles, which can find themselves caught and unable to free themselves,” Mr Saunders said. “The NSW Government

The woman who inspired a nation to support the bush has taken out the NSW Regional Woman of the Year Award, one of the top accolades at the NSW Women of the Year Awards held in Sydney today. Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders congratulated #buyfromthebush founder Grace Brennan, whose initiative resulted in a $5 million revenue uplift for participating regional businesses, when he joined her and fellow Dubbo region finalists Joh Leaer, Lucy Samuels and Lucy Taylor at the event at Darling Harbour. “Buyfromthebush helped to save struggling businesses across the state during a really tough time,” said Mr Saunders.

A steadfast and tireless contributor to the Gulgong community has been recognised as the 2021 Dubbo Electorate Woman of the Year. Member for the Dubbo Electorate Dugald Saunders was joined by Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor on Monday to present this year’s award to Joy Harrison. “This time last year I stood in Parliament to recognise Joy’s contribution to Gulgong through her work as a founding member of the Gulgong Gold Experience, and her efforts promoting the town as the correspondent for the Mudgee Guardian,” Mr Saunders said. “So it gives me great pride to stand here today – International

Just three weeks after applications opened for year two of the Regional Seniors Travel Card trial, the popular initiative has had more than 100,000 applications from across regional NSW – and more than 3000 from the Dubbo electorate alone. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said it’s fantastic to see the keen response to year two of the trial of the $250 pre-paid Visa card which benefited more than 337,500 seniors and their communities in 2020. “The Regional Seniors Travel Card was a commitment we made before the 2019 NSW election, and I’m proud to say it’s one we

TAFE NSW campuses in Dubbo and Mudgee are set to benefit from their share of a $100 million state-wide investment in TAFE NSW facilities and equipment. The investment will focus on campus maintenance programs including plumbing, minor construction and fire safety. Funding will also be allocated for a range of new training equipment including a CAT grader, thermal imaging camera, air seeder and a sand blasting booth at Dubbo’s Mitchell Highway campus, and cots and bedding equipment, milling machines and a tooling machine at Mudgee’s Ulan Road campus. Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders welcomed the announcement, which will provide quality

NSW residents are being urged to reconnect with their money and get some extra cash to spend this Christmas, by checking for any unclaimed money held by Revenue NSW. Member for the Dubbo Electorate Dugald Saunders said more than $461 million in unclaimed money was sitting with Revenue NSW that would be better reunited with its rightful owners. “Christmas is a time of year where all families could do with a little extra,” Mr Saunders said. “COVID-19 has also seen many families tighten their budgets. A quick search could help identify money that is sitting, waiting to be claimed through