Getting tourists off the beaten track

Motorists enjoying smoother and safer journeys along the upgraded Pacific Highway will be encouraged to visit some of the bypassed towns, with new signs showing the services and tourist attractions on offer. NSW Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the signs would be installed near Ballina, Urunga and Woolgoolga, under the…

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Funding on the way for war memorial upgrades

NOTE: Image was taken prior to social distancing requirements. With a very different ANZAC Day still fresh in our minds community groups are being encouraged to apply for up to $10,000 to restore and protect war memorials across the region. NSW Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the Community War Memorials Fund grants help…

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Regional Express restarts local flights

Regional Express (Rex) has announced it will restart regional services in Grafton, Lismore and Ballina with the help of the Federal Nationals in Government. Federal Nationals Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the Regional Airline Network Support (RANS) program provided assistance to maintain a minimal weekly schedule to regional areas. “Rex was eligible to receive…

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Regional rail maintenance facility on track

The new Regional Rail Maintenance Facility at Dubbo is one step closer to reality, with the first crews arriving to start early work at the site. NSW Nationals Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the project will create about 200 jobs during peak construction and about 50 ongoing jobs when it opens, developing the skills…

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Nats helping build stronger communities

NSW Nationals Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh has announced more than $400,000 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund to help build a better region. The Woolgoolga Seniors Centre secured $50,000 in funding for the purchase of a new bus, which will see residents across the Coffs Harbour electorate benefit from low cost, day and…

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Truck

Helping truckies keep Australia moving during COVID-19

Australian truck owners and operators will save hundreds of dollars a year following the Federal Nationals in Government’s decision to freeze the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge at current levels. All levels of Government are taking decisive action to support freight operators working hard to keep shelves stocked and essential goods moving during the COVID-19…

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Buckle up: Extra 150 regional school buses get seatbelts

Regional communities will benefit from an extra 150 new school buses fitted with seatbelts, following recommendations of an independently chaired taskforce to improve the rural and regional seatbelt program. NSW Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the new air-conditioned buses would replace any dedicated school bus in regional NSW more than…

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Why Bronnie Taylor is happy to fight for our youth

Regional Youth Minister Bronnie Taylor writes about the importance of supporting our young people. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy being a young person in regional NSW. There are challenges – skills training or tertiary education can be hours away, there aren’t always spaces or opportunities to connect with friends, and mental health services can be…

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Bill relief for energy customers

NOTE: Image taken prior to social distancing restrictions. Households struggling to pay their energy bills during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic now have access to additional financial support thanks to the NSW Nationals in Government. The support, available directly through Service NSW and the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, is thanks to a $30…

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Community Building Partnership program opens soon

NOTE: Image taken prior to social distancing restrictions. NSW Nationals Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead has announced that applications will open soon for the popular Community Building Partnership Program. In 2020, $300,000 is available for community infrastructure projects across the Myall Lakes electorate alone. Mr Bromhead urged all rural and regional councils and community…

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Michael McCormack

Driving home road safety

New opportunities to save lives on country roads through innovation and technology have arrived, with applications for a $12 million Road Safety Innovation Fund now open. Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Nationals Leader Michael McCormack said any organisation with an interest in road safety research and development should apply for funding to help make a…

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Lower energy bills on the way

Around 720,000 loyal households and small businesses across Australia are set to receive lower energy bills from July 1, 2020. The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has released its final determination for the Default Market Offer for 2020-21, which locks in cheaper electricity prices for New South Wales. The Federal Nationals in Government helped introduce the…

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Tamworth substation works to spark jobs, cheaper power

A $35 million upgrade of the Tamworth Substation is expected to generate around 30 jobs and is part of a massive $102 million improvement project to the NSW-QLD interconnector (QNI) transmission lines. NSW Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson welcomed the announcement of the upgrade and said investment in major infrastructure projects would generate local…

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