Grain trains to remain thanks to Nats

The NSW Nationals in Government have halted proposed changes by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to change regulations governing locomotive emissions, which would have a devastating impact on industry. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro and Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW Adam Marshall publicly opposed the proposal to introduce a new…

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Rain a relief but not drought-breaking

Regional NSW is still experiencing the worst of the drought, despite ongoing rain in the Northern Valleys increasing the possibility of inflows into key dams. NSW Nationals Water Minister Melinda Pavey said embargoes were placed on irrigators across the Barwon-Darling over the weekend to replenish the river systems as much as possible. “Embargoes were placed…

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MPs reflect on bushfire disaster

State and Federal Nationals have spoken about the effect of the bushfire disaster in Parliament this week, as some regions continue to battle blazes while in others the rebuilding and recovery effort continues. Dr David Gillespie, the Federal Member for Lyne on the mid-north coast, spoke about the fires that ripped through his region late…

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Project team appointed for Dungowan Dam build

The construction of Dungowan Dam and the upgrade of the pipeline from the dam to Tamworth has taken a positive step forward with the announcement of key staff to deliver the projects. NSW Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson welcomed the appointment of the project team responsible for delivering the project as part of the…

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Mobile desalination plants to secure drinking water

The NSW Nationals in Government have given the North-Westerly towns of Brewarrina, Bourke and Walgett $10 million to install mobile desalination plants. Recent water supply testing in many drought affected areas has revealed higher levels of sodium than those specified in the Australian Drinking Water guidelines. Until now, many locals have resorted to using bottled…

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Bushfire clean-up contractor announced

The NSW and Australian Governments have announced they will share the costs on a 50:50 basis for the clean-up of residential and commercial properties destroyed by the recent bushfires in NSW. The cost of the state’s clean-up is expected to run into the hundreds of millions of dollars, though a definitive number cannot be settled…

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Pipeline fast-tracked to improve Tamworth water supply

The NSW Nationals in Government’s priority project in Tamworth has recently hit its first milestone with around 8.5km of pipework completed since November between Chaffey Dam and Tamworth. In Tamworth this week, Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey alongside Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said that the project had been fast-tracked as a…

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