Mudgee & Gulgong

We are now less than a month away from the 2020 NSW Budget being handed down by the Treasurer. Every budget is important, but this year has taken on extra significance due to COVID-19, and the fact that everything we are doing as a government is being put on the credit card. The hard work done by this government to return the state to a surplus after 16 years of Labor incompetence has been wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic and our nation-leading response to it. But that doesn’t mean essential projects should be left behind. One of those essential […]

Students at public schools in the region will benefit from the funding certainty delivered in their school budget allocations for next year. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the allocations to the region’s 35 schools are part of $10.1 billion in annual Gonski funding being delivered to public schools for 2021. The distribution of funding through the Resource Allocation Model (RAM) ensures that the best possible learning opportunities are provided to directly benefit the 2021 student cohort. Mr Saunders said almost $27 million worth of funding had been allocated for Dubbo electorate schools, and  delivers support where it

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders is encouraging the region’s fishos to get their applications in for the NSW Government’s Habitat Action Grants program, after the deadline was extended until 16th October. Mr Saunders said that recreational fishing groups, Landcare organisations, high schools and local councils in the region would all be able to submit a funding application to see their native fish habitats flourish. “This is a fantastic grants program that I hope all anglers in the region can take full advantage of,” he said. “Our waterways here, and right across the state, are already among the most

With a challenging 2020 drawing towards an end, Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders is seeking assistance to design his holiday greeting cards. For many years now, primary school children across the region have been asked to submit drawings, with the winner to take pride of place on the card, which is delivered to hundreds of people and organisations across NSW. Given the ups and downs of the year, with welcomed rain countered by the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Saunders is keen for the children of the region to share drawings that outline their Christmas wishes “Last year the theme

Three new probationary constables have commenced duties in the Orana Mid-Western Police District after being sworn in at a private attestation ceremony at the Goulburn Police Academy last week. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders welcomed the recruits to the region, saying rural policing allows them the chance to experience a broad cross-section of what the job has to offer “Our new police officers are a much-needed boost to the community and they will greatly help us as a community,” Mr Saunders said. “Joining the Orana Mid-Western Police District they will get exposure to general duties but also rural

Work on a facility that will be a lifesaver for people in western NSW has reached a major milestone in its construction. A “topping out” ceremony marking the highest point of construction being reached, was held at the Western Cancer Centre on Friday, with Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders joining with his Federal counterpart, Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, to commemorate the achievement. The $35 million facility is being funded by both levels of government, with $25 million from the Federal Government complemented by a $10 million contribution from the NSW Government. Progress on the facility has been

NSW Small Business Month 2020 has kicked off with a suite of activities aimed to inspire, upskill and bring together local small businesses. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders small businesses, particularly those in regional NSW, have been through a lot thanks to the combination of drought, bushfires and COVID-19. “We have a great program this year which have been designed to help businesses overcome the challenges they have faced,” he said. “Festival themes for 2020 include how to manage disruption, future planning, getting your business online, as well as learning all the latest marketing and social media tips.

Communities affected by fire and drought are the focus of the new round of funding for inclusive playspaces in the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play grant program. NSW councils are invited to apply for the latest round of the program, which delivers better and more inclusive playspaces across NSW. Applications from councils in declared drought or bushfire-affected areas will be prioritised in this round, with an extra $3 million reserved for them in addition to the $4 million grants round. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the potential addition of  new and inclusive playspaces would be a welcome