The changes will come into effect from 1 November 2018.

The NSW Government will provide partial refunds on previous heavy vehicles registration charges going back over three years, saving primary producers an average of $2,094.

Farmers will also receive free registration over the next two years for their heavy vehicles.

These changes come at a crucial time for farmers in regional NSW, and compliment the NSW Government’s more than $1 billion in drought support, which includes waiving class one agricultural vehicle registration costs.

 Further to the refund announced, and as a result of the drought conditions, primary producers will also receive a registration rebate on their heavy vehicles for the next two years.

The registration rebate will apply to all renewals from 1 July 2018 until 30 June 2020. For producers who register their vehicles between 1 July and 1 November this year, the amount will be refunded. Farmers will still have to pay for Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, personalised plates and relevant vehicle checks, for the safety of all road users.

Affected customers will be contacted by Roads and Maritime Services from 1 November with the refund amounts. 

I encourage Aboriginal people in Barwon to apply for a scholarship that will support them in studying a bachelor level early childhood teaching qualification.

The Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Scholarship program will complement ongoing training and leadership opportunities designed to support Aboriginal educators working in the early childhood sector.

The Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Scholarships program will offer 15 scholarships per year of up to $20,000 each, with the funding going towards costs incurred during studying such as travel, technology and textbooks. Applications for the Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Scholarships program opened Saturday, 1 September and will close on Friday, 7 December.

The small community of Milparinka has secured its water supply with a new project to will pump water into the settlement, thanks to a $46,800 NSW Government grant. The project would make a huge difference to the local community where summer temperatures can reach 50°C. The town is currently in drought and the local dam is critically low. Water will soon have to be carted in from 100km away.

Thanks to this grant, water will now be able to be pumped and desalinated from a bore that is within the town limits. This water will provide a reliable and clean water supply for the local community. The people of Milparinka live in a very remote corner of NSW, but welcome several thousand visitors each year thanks to the town’s heritage precinct and local hotel. Access to water is vital for locals and visitors alike.