Wellington

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders is encouraging people across the region to ‘Thank A Tradie’ during National Skills Week. Mr Saunders said the annual week celebrates the talents, skills and contributions of tradespeople educated in the NSW vocational system. It’s the perfect time to acknowledge the continued hard work and commitment of local tradies who are the backbone of our communities. “Many of our tradies are out in the community delivering important services during the current COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. “Tradespeople work on projects ranging from electrical repairs in the family home to major infrastructure projects. They gain

Farmers seeking workers and contractors for harvest now have access to the dedicated online resource, ‘Help Harvest NSW’, which will help them contact and arrange workers ahead of what is expected to be the best harvest in many years. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders welcomed today’s launch of the website by the NSW Government, and said the one-stop portal would connect prospective employers with workers as part of the NSW Government’s COVID Recovery Plan. “Farmers across the central west are poised to reap their biggest harvest since the drought began many years ago, so it is critical they

Regional communities across the State are set to benefit from the first round of the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Country Bridges program. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders is encouraging Dubbo Regional Council, Narromine Shire Council and Mid-Western Regional Council to apply for funding to replace priority bridges. “We went to the 2019 State Election committed to replacing hundreds of ageing timber bridges across regional NSW and better connecting countless small communities in the bush,” Mr Saunders said. “That’s why I’m encouraging the three councils in the Dubbo electorate to nominate eligible timber bridges for replacement. “The first

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has sought to provide an update on community sport during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Wednesday, updated advice was released to clarify concerns that arose after the release of an update from the Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant earlier in the week. “The updated advice says that in regional NSW, existing competition structures or scheduling should aim to minimise the need for overnight travel,” Mr Saunders said. “As a result, existing competitions within our region such as rugby union, rugby league, soccer, AFL, netball and so on can continue as they have been.

Transport for NSW is hiring a record number of new apprentices and trainees across regional NSW, giving local economies a much-needed boost. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the Apprentice and Trainee Program was critical in building a skills legacy to meet future needs within the local community. Mr Saunders joined with Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole on Wednesday to announce 75 placements this year as part of the program. “As we continue to invest in road and infrastructure projects and it’s important that we have people on the ground that have the skills in

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has backed a NSW Government plan to extend COVID-19 relief funding for community and mobile preschools through to the end of the 2020 school year. On Wednesday, NSW Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Sarah Mitchell said the continued funding recognises the importance of helping families keep children engaged in preschool education. Mr Saunders echoed those sentiments, saying it will take a strain off parents at a time when there is so much stress. “This announcement means that parents don’t have to worry about the financial burden of sending their children to preschool

A police operation designed to protect the livelihood of farmers has been discussed during a trip to Dubbo by NSW Police Minister David Elliott. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders joined Mr Elliott and NSW Police Force State Rural Crime Coordinator, Detective Inspector Cameron Whiteside, at the Dubbo Regional Livestock Market to receive an update on Operation Stock Check. The high-visibility operation is designed to disrupt the movement of stolen stock in regional NSW. “Farmers face many challenges every day, and making sure they don’t become victims of crime is one way we can help to protect them,” Mr

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has welcomed seven new police officers who have joined the ranks of the Orana Mid-Western Police District. The probationary constables attested at a private ceremony at the Goulburn Police Academy last Friday, and had an initiation at Dubbo Police Station on Monday before officially hitting the beat on Tuesday. Four will be stationed in Dubbo, with the other officers to be based at Warren, Gilgandra and Coonamble. Mr Saunders welcomed the recruits to the region, after more than eight months of world-class training at the academy. “Our new police officers are a much

Drivers travelling in the Dubbo electorate are being urged to slow down this Rural Road Safety Month, with more than two-thirds of the lives lost on NSW roads occurring in the country. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said preliminary figures show nine people were killed or injured in crashes on the electorate’s roads in 2019, while 57 were killed and 362 seriously injured in the five years from 2014/15 to 2018/19. “Every one of these deaths and serious injuries has had a devastating impact on families, friends and communities,” Mr Saunders said. “As a broadcaster I spent years