Apprentices undertaking their training in Narrabri and Broken Hill are already benefitting from the NSW Government’s fee-free apprenticeship package, only two months after its launch. Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries said fee-free apprenticeships will allow 100,000 apprentices throughout NSW to study and train for a fulfilling career while also addressing the state’s skills shortages.

Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries today announced that $2 million in grants is now available for Local Aboriginal Land Councils to improve waste management in discrete Aboriginal communities. “The Aboriginal Communities Waste Management Program grants will help protect and enhance land that is culturally significant to Aboriginal people,” Mr Humphries said. The grants are being funded through the Waste Less Recycle More initiative administered by the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

I urge Barwon communities to have a plan in place as the bushfire season officially begins, with more than a third of the state now entering the ‘Bushfire Danger Period’. The NSW Government continues to ensure our devoted firefighters have the best support possible so they can continue to do what they do best – help protect our community. Large Air Tanker (LAT) ‘Boomer’ has arrived in Australia and can dump more than 11,300 litres of water or fire retardant at a time, and will be used for direct attacks on both bush and grass fires, creating containment lines, and providing urban interface protection.

This impressive aircraft will support the efforts of our local firefighters on the ground to ultimately ensure that lives and property are kept as safe as possible this season. While our dedicated firefighters will do everything they can to prepare and protect our community, it’s also important for residents to do what they can to prepare for the fire season and make sure they make or update their ‘Bush Fire Survival Plan’.

I was pleased to announce a new specialist police team for the Far West/Central West that will proactively target mid-level crime and bolster community safety.   The new police squad would also help decrease the workload for frontline police in our community. Consisting of one sergeant and three constables, the Chifley RES will conduct investigations into drug supply, firearms offences, property crime, and any criminal syndicates in the area.

Based in the Bathurst, the Chifley RES will have the flexibility to support surrounding Police Districts across the Central West and the capacity to work throughout major hubs and smaller towns across western NSW.

The message here is simple: more resources for regional cops, fewer victims, and less pressure on the frontline.