The big week has arrived: the NRL is coming to DUBBO!
I’m really looking forward to seeing a few home-grown talents taking to the field at Apex Oval on Sunday, playing to a crowd of more than 11,300! The influx of visitors from across western NSW, as well as Sydney, will deliver a terrific economic boost to the many accommodation, tourism and hospitality providers that are still recovering from the impacts of COVID-19. After years of drought, bushfires and then the pandemic, I really hope that this event will provided a much-needed economic and morale boost for our entire region. The South Sydney Rabbitohs have already committed to coming back in 2022, but it’s my hope that this weekend will result in the NRL returning to Dubbo for many years to come!
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Last week the NSW Government announced $50 million to help households, small businesses and farmers battle the mice plague currently impacting our region.
Fast facts:
- $500 rebates for eligible households
- $1,000 rebates for eligible small businesses
- Free mice bait (grain treatment) for farmers
- NSW Government will rapidly move to seek the necessary approvals from the Commonwealth’s APVMA for the use of bromadiolone in NSW
- Expanded workshops to educate farmers on the best eradication strategies
- A moonshot research project to identify and potentially develop a new mice-killing agent
There’s also a new series of mice management workshops for farmers contending with mice plague activity across parts of the State. The NSW Government has secured Australia’s leading mice expert with over 25 years of experience, Steve Henry from the CSIRO, to provide in-person advice to landholders. Having access to the latest mice management techniques and baiting advice can make a real impact on the ground which is critical as landholders prepare for winter sowing. For dates, locations and to secure your free tickets visit dpi.nsw.gov.au/mice
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This week sees the NSW upper house regional health inquiry holding hearings in Wellington and Dubbo. I welcome this inquiry, because nothing is more important to me than the health and safety of the communities that I represent. I want to know about any issues, and I want them fixed.
Regional NSW expects and deserves the best health care. There are flaws in the system, and we want to get to the bottom of them. I sincerely hope the committee puts politics aside and takes this inquiry seriously as I refuse to play politics with people’s healthcare.
The NSW Nationals are building a safer and stronger regional NSW and this starts with our healthcare for the regions.