My favourite part about being a Member of Parliament is being involved in community activities. Last week saw me engaged in a number of local events, including attending a public crime prevention meeting in Narromine, launching Tim Fischer’s book and meeting with community groups in Dubbo and then ending the week at the footy in Trangie watching the triumphant Trangie Tigers take on the Coonabarabran Kookas.
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Minister for Skills visits Dubbo
On Monday I welcomed the Minister for Skills, John Barilaro to the electorate as he conducts a tour of regional NSW. Minister Barilaro and I visited the Dubbo TAFE to discuss the proposed changes to the structure of the organisation and meet with staff and students.
Meeting with Greyhound Industry Stakeholders
At the beginning of the week I met with local trainers and breeders involved with the greyhound industry and heard their concerns about the proposed closure of the industry first-hand. I want to stress that the Government has not made the decision lightly and everyone should read the report which can be found here: www.greyhoundracinginquiry.justice.nsw.gov.au/
Funds available for local musicians and arts and cultural facilities
As the Minister for the Arts and local Member there are two pools of funding that I want to encourage local organisations and musicians to apply for. Local organisations can apply for up to $60,000 in funding for projects that improve local arts and cultural facilities through the NSW Government’s Regional Capital funding program. Applications are open until Monday September 5 and more information is available at www.arts.nsw.gov.au or by emailing arts.funding@arts.nsw.gov.au. Musicians can apply for up to $850 for each person named in an application, to a maximum total of $5500 per group. Round 2 closes September 6 at www.musicnsw.com
Quad Bike Safety Rebate
The NSW Government has announced a rebate of up to $500 to implement safety measures aimed at reducing quad bike tragedies and injuries on farms. As we know, quad bikes are currently a leading cause of death on Australian properties. The $500 rebate can go towards the purchase of helmets, rollover bars, the purchase of a safer vehicle such as a side-by-side vehicle, and training courses tailored to farmers. The rebate is available until June 30 at www.safework.nsw.gov.au or by contacting my office 6882 3577.
Roll up, roll up for a late night Parliamentary Sitting
For anyone that is in Sydney on the evening of September 13 between 6-8pm, the NSW Parliamentary Education Office has organised ‘A Little Night Sitting’ event which will include a guest speaker, a viewing of the parliamentary chambers in session and meeting with members of the Parliament. If you’re interested in attending please contact 9230 2047.
The rains are here!
I’m no weather forecaster, but the low pressure trough and the rain band that accompanied it last week certainly ensured that we were kept vigilant as the rivers in the region rose to concerning peaks. I took the opportunity to inspect the intersection of the Bell and Macquarie rivers in Wellington and was glad that the river didn’t reach the anticipated peaks in Dubbo and Wellington.
Local groups are urged to apply for community grants
Following the amalgamation of Dubbo and Wellington Councils the NSW Government has made $10 million available through the Stronger Communities Fund to the Western Plains Regional Council. $1 million of that money has been allocated to grant funding for local community groups.
Grants of up to $50,000 are available to local community organisations until August 19 and more information can be obtained by calling 6840 1724 or visitingwww.dubbo.nsw.gov.au/announcements/stronger-communities-fund-2016-community-grants\
Till next week, Troy