With Parliament done and dusted for the year I am looking forward to spending the extra time in the electorate meeting and talking with people as we head into the festive season.
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My Christmas card competition is going well with the first batch of entries coming in from Mudgee Public School last week, there are some great designs among them showing of the talent of kids in our electorate.
Active kids Program
Participation in sport is extremely valuable to our community. However, parents and families can at times find it difficult to meet the costs associated with their kid’s participation sport.
That is why the NSW Government has announced the Active Kids Program designed to help parents with the financial costs of their kid’s participation.
We want to make sport and fitness activities more affordable and get kids off the couch and active.
From 31 January 2018, parents will be able to claim up to $100 per school enrolled child per calendar year as a voucher to reduce the cost of eligible sport and fitness activities.
These activities could include traditional sport such as netball, football or cricket; as well as other fitness or physical activities such as swimming classes or dance.
The rebate is not means tested so every family has access to this initiative. Parents will be able to register for the voucher online from 31 January 2018 or through their local Service NSW Centre.
This is all part of the NSW Government’s goal to make having a family and being active more affordable.
The Active Kids Program is also a key tool in the battle against childhood obesity and supports the Premier’s priority to reduce childhood obesity rates by five per cent over ten years. For more information visit www.sport.nsw.gov.au/activekids
Records Broken In Primary Industries
Primary Industries support and drive most local economies in our region, the NSW Government recently announced that the sector is now worth a record $15.44 Billion in 2016-17.
This is a very significant milestone for all of NSW and in particular our rural and regional communities that ride high on the continuing success of our primary industries.
A combination of factors has provided a strong tailwind for industry, farmers and DPI to increase the State’s productivity and profitability.
These factors have included high commodity prices, a run of exceptional seasonal conditions, strong biosecurity and significant research and development programs.
Most importantly, this puts us in a strong position to stand side by side with our farmers as they begin to face some seasonal and economic headwinds. I know across most of the State the conditions are dry and farmers are having to make some tough decisions.
This is why we committed $75 million in this year’s budget for concessional loans under the Farm Innovation Fund to assist primary producers prepare for future drought. The NSW Government is committed to working with producers, stakeholders, communities and industry groups to help ease any impacts over the seasons to come.
High performing industries in 2016-17 are:
- Beef cattle (54 per cent growth to $2.38b), Wheat (40 per cent growth to $2.61b),
- Cotton (8 per cent growth to $1.40b),
- Wool (39 per cent growth to $1.14b),
- Sheep and goat meat (33 per cent growth to $858m),
- Pulses (624 per cent growth to $810m),
- Forestry (18 per cent growth to $503m).
Christmas card deadline: Entries must be received no later than 5pm Thursday, November 30.
Sent or delivered to: Troy Grant MP Member for Dubbo, 18 Talbragar Street, (Po Box 1327). Dubbo NSW 2830
Until next week, Troy
