Last week I was joined by Attorney-General Mark Speakman to announce the Dubbo Courthouse’s largest upgrade in more than a decade! A new, multi-purpose, state-of-the-art courtroom will include a dock for custodial matters and will be equipped with the latest audio visual link technology. The $3.6 million upgrade will increase the capacity of the complex – one of the busiest in inland NSW – and help meet the future needs of our community!
Even more regional communities will benefit from the Australian and NSW Governments’ commitment to improve local roads and create local jobs, with Round 2 of the accelerated Fixing Local Roads program now open. Already, $243.6 million in joint funding has gone towards 253 shovel-ready projects in 84 Local Government Areas (LGAs), including $5.3 million to Mid-Western Regional Council and $4.9 million to Dubbo Regional Council. This latest round will see another $136.4 million go towards shovel-ready projects across NSW to generate even more regional jobs, and stimulate local economies.
Shovel-ready capital works projects are also being supported in our public schools through our $120 million Regional Schools Renewal Program. The program will co-fund renovations and new facilities such as covered outdoor learning areas, toilet blocks, administration buildings and canteens. The variety of smaller projects will support local business and jobs as we continue to recover from COVID-19.
Last week I was really excited to be joined by NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell for the launch of Brighter Beginnings, a whole-of-government initiative to better support families that are navigating the first 2000 days of their child’s life. Crucial to achieving this goal is simplifying and improving the way families access information and services, through a number of parenting life navigator tools and a whole of government web page: https://www.nsw.gov.au/initiative/brighter-beginnings
I was also thrilled to help officially open the $4 million hydrotherapy pool at Yawarra Community School, which will benefit not only students at the school, but the wider community as well!
For the latest COVID-19 information go to https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
Until next week,
Dugald