I am pleased young people in Barwon had participated in arranging local events. 

Our young people are some of the most dedicated and committed members of our community and National Youth Week 2018 is a chance to take a moment and celebrate what they do.

NSW Youth Week offers young people an opportunity to connect with both their peers and their local community. It is also an opportunity for me to hear directly from young people about ways the NSW Government can progress services.

NSW Youth Week is celebrated from April 13-22. To find out what events are happening in your area visit www.youthweek.nsw.gov.au.

The NSW Government has announced that it will work with the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) to facilitate a 23,800 ML release of environmental water into the Barwon-Darling River system.

The Commonwealth and NSW environmental water reserves will be released to enhance river flows in northern NSW and support native habitats along the river system.

This announcement follows the NSW Government’s water reform consultation that included a discussion paper on environmental flow management. This event is very timely and will be used as a pilot to inform reforms for environmental water management. An interagency working group has been established to manage the event, which will be overseen by the NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator.

REMINDER: National call for new technology ideas to support action on NSW water reforms

The NSW Government is inviting industry, researchers and academics to apply for a share of $500,000 in funding for new technology solutions to support best practice management and monitoring of water in NSW.

The Water Pilot Technology Program is now open for grant applications. Applications close Monday, April 23, 2018 at 9am AEST.

$2.8 Million in grants to bring local heritage to life

A reminder to managers or owners in Barwon to apply for this years Heritage Activation Grants - Closing 20 April.

The grants under the NSW Government’s Heritage Near Me program, will see $2.8 million directed towards projects to protect unique local heritage around the state and are designed for owners or managers of local, publicly accessible heritage items, from buildings to parks and monuments, to special natural and cultural places.

For more information on the Heritage Near Me program, visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritage-near-me-incentives.

I congratulate Jillian Kilby and Shanna Whan for their dedication and hard work in our Barwon communities. Jillian Kilby has been named 2018 NSW Women of the Year and Shanna Whan a finalist at the AgriFutures Australia 2018 NSW-ACT Rural Women’s Awards.

A Barwon community band will hone its skills and reach new audiences in 2018 thanks to a share of $27,200 in funding.

Tottenham Town Band will spend $2,000 to hold a regular series of workshops with local school bands and other community bands to encourage increased membership.

The band is amongst 23 community brass and concert bands across the state sharing 2018 Community Band Development Grants Programfunding from the NSW Government. Visit www.create.nsw.gov.au  for more information.