Dubbo residents will be able to seek comfort at the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club in times of natural disaster, after funding for a power generator was announced by Acting Premier Troy Grant on Tuesday.
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The $170,000 for a power generator was one of four grants the NSW government gave to clubs in the central west to ensure they were better situated to help during emergency situations.
Orange Ex-Services Club was provided with $300,000 for a power generator, while Lithgow Workers and Parkes Bowling and Sports Club would receive $50,000 and $10,000 respectively to upgrade their kitchen facilities.
"Throughout the summer period we know that rural communities, particularly in NSW, are often ravaged by either fire or flood; it's when the weather is at its most extreme and when our community is at our most vulnerable," Mr Grant said.
"It's important that when tragic events like bushfires and floods happen, our clubs are properly equipped to do what they do so well and that's take care of the community."
Throughout the years it had been evident clubs were often where people went it times of crisis, Mr Grant said.
"My most striking memory was the Nyngan floods and the entire community essentially was evacuated here to Dubbo and I remember being a young constable at the time, and the massive role the community and the Dubbo RSL Club played in looking after the Nyngan community."
ClubsNSW executive manager public affairs Josh Landis said the money would make a world of difference to people in need.
"This club will have a generator and what that means is that when people are hungry, when they've got nowhere to go because their home might be destroyed or it's just so hot and they might not have airconditioning, they can come here and be looked after, they can come here and be fed, they can come here and get the kind of essential support they need."
The grant follows changes to regulation last month so registered clubs would have the ability under law to become centres of shelter and safety in emergencies for any resident living within a five kilometre radius.
Dubbo RSL general manger Gus Lico said the generator the club currently had was starting to become uneconomical due to the high maintenance costs, so it was important to have it upgraded.