Wellington

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has backed a move by the NSW Government to provide free lifetime pet registration for people who adopt a rescue pet from council pounds and animal shelters. Mr Saunders said that new initiative reinforces the NSW Government’s commitment to encourage prospective pet owners to ‘adopt not shop’ for a dog or cat and provide a forever home for animals who find themselves in pounds or shelters. “Since 2015, the NSW Government has funded half-price lifetime pet registration for people who rescue dogs and cats from pounds and shelters across the state, and in […]

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has welcomed the implementation of the next stage of the NSW Government’s comprehensive retirement village reforms aimed at reducing ‘bill shock’ for residents. Mr Saunders has welcomed the reforms to the Retirement Villages Act 1999, which were introduced to increase accountability and transparency in the retirement village sector by seeking to reduce costs and uncertainty for residents. “We have a significant number of people living in retirement villages which is why the NSW Government has embarked on these revolutionary new reforms to make life easier and fairer for them,” he said. “These new reforms

New bus shelters, lighting and kerbside upgrades will make accessing public transport even easier in the region, with local community groups now able to apply for a share of $3.2 million from the Country Passenger Transport Infrastructure Grants scheme. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said applications are now open for the biennial grants, which build upon the NSW Government’s vision to help make public transport a first-choice option for locals. “I know what a difference projects like these make to locals, so I’m calling on local councils, transport operators, schools and community organisations to apply for the grants,”

Applications for round three of the NSW Government’s $500 million Fixing Local Roads Program, which is helping regional councils repair, maintain and seal priority local roads in their communities, have now been extended. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said councils now have until July 16 to apply for funding to help them fix local roads and support thousands of jobs. The $500 million program received an additional injection of $191 million from the Federal Government, and Mr Saunders said it demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to building a safer, stronger road network in the regions. “Our local councils

Community organisations in the region can now apply for funding to support local projects under the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program, Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders announced today. Mr Saunders said the impacts of COVID-19 are still being widely felt and support for struggling community organisations will remain a priority for the program. “A total of $12.5 million is available in 2021/22 for new or upgraded facilities across sport and recreation, arts and culture, disaster readiness and community infrastructure,” Mr Saunders said. “This is an opportunity for local organisations to apply for funding for projects that will provide long-term

Households and small businesses impacted by the mouse plague across regional NSW can claim the rebate available through the NSW Government’s $150 million Mouse Control Program by visiting the Service NSW website. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders welcomed the opening of the program for applications, saying the financial impacts of the mouse plague are concerning and the rebate will help reduce the cost of battling the crippling rodent infestation. “People have spent significant amounts of money on baits, traps and other things to try and combat the plague,” Mr Saunders said. “I’ve had to do it myself, and

Residents of the region with NSW Seniors Cards can now save on energy costs with plenty of deals to stay warm during winter. Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said an exclusive EnergyAustralia offer will help seniors keep more cash in their pockets for doing the things they love. “We want seniors to feel confident they’ve got the best energy deal for them going into winter, so they’re comfortable and can manage the costs of living,” he said. “Winter can be a difficult time for people, who sometimes face the choice of having the heater on or saving some

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders has hailed Treasurer Dominic Perrottet’s fifth Budget as one that caters for everyone and will help the state’s continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr Perrottet handed down his Budget speech in NSW Parliament on Tuesday, where he outlined the state’s desire to drive investment while removing cost-of-living pressures on people and helping those most in need. “If you look at the projects and priorities outlined by the Treasurer, there is a desire to help people as much as possible while remembering that we are still recovering from the financial impact of the

Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders believes the NSW Government’s Start Strong Free Preschool program is one of the best things to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell announced on Sunday that tomorrow’s NSW Budget will include $150 million for the program, which will see families save up to $4000 per year per child in preschool fees. “One of the first things the government did when COVID hit was assign funding into early education so staff could stay employed and spots were retained for children when families were forced to stay