Major upgrade for Port Macquarie landmark

A new boardwalk with viewing platforms will be built at Tacking Point Lighthouse, creating an accessible, modern addition to one of Port Macquarie’s iconic landmarks. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said a $750,000 grant from Round Two of the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund, along with an additional $300,000 contribution…

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Over $1.3 million for Grenfell district projects

Five projects in the Weddin Shire have received a total of over $1.3 million in funding thanks to Round Five of the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund. Nationals Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said a $629,979 redevelopment of Taylor Park, including a new all-abilities playground, is a particular highlight. “I…

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Site selected for new Grafton emergency hub

A new Fire Control and Emergency Operations Centre will be built at Clarence Valley Regional Airport thanks to an $8.5 million investment by the NSW Nationals in the state government. Nationals Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke joined Nationals Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis, Nationals’ candidate for Clarence Richie Williamson, and Rural Fire…

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Saving on preschool fees

Parents across NSW are set to save up to $4,220 a year on their preschool fees, thanks to a landmark investment by the NSW Nationals in the state government. For the first time, parents whose children attend preschool programs at Long Day Care settings will enjoy subsidised fees, following the introduction of the new $1.3…

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Sarah Mitchell

Smarter look for schools for start of new school year

Students will be returning to public schools across NSW with freshly painted classrooms and new COLAs after hundreds of maintenance and minor capital projects were completed during the summer holidays. In 2022/23, more than $1.3 billion is being invested in planned maintenance and minor capital works thanks to the NSW Nationals in the state government’s…

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Keeping our regions safe

A muscled up NSW Police Force’s Raptor Squad will now have permanent bases in regional NSW, expanding to the state’s Northern and Southern regions to target and dismantle organised criminal networks. The launch of the Raptor North and Raptor South squads will deliver an extra 30 staff, comprising investigators, Operations Support Group (OSG) operatives, and…

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Funding community projects in the Myall Lakes

Nationals Member for Myall Lakes, Stephen Bromhead, has announced 11 community projects in the Myall Lakes electorate will benefit from almost $2.6 million in grant funding under Round Five of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund. Nationals Minister for Regional Roads and Transport, Sam Farraway, visited Pacific Palms to announce funding for two of…

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Funding to keep Dubbo athletics stars on track

The region’s future track and field stars have received a major boost with the announcement of $1,060,000 for Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) to renew the track at the Barden Park Athletics Centre of Excellence. Nationals Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders has joined DRC Mayor Mathew Dickerson, CEO Murray Wood and representatives from Athletics NSW to…

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Dubbo tradies to road test Nats’ new travel card

Up to 100 apprentices in Dubbo will trial the NSW Nationals in the state government’s $250 Regional Apprentice and University Student Travel Card, boosting their budgets to help ease the cost of travel to education and training. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said Dubbo apprentices will be the first to access…

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Blue Mountains rail line reopening

Passenger services on the main western rail line in the Blue Mountains will resume tomorrow (Saturday, January 21) following last month’s freight train derailment. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the 3.49am service from Lithgow to Sydney will be the first passenger train through now that repairs to the track between Lawson…

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New Taskforce members to advocate for regional youth

The Regional Youth Taskforce will get a brand new look, with Nationals Minister for Regional Youth Ben Franklin announcing 18 new young leaders who will advocate for their peers and deliver positive outcomes for young people. Mr Franklin and Nationals Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall met with two of the new members in Uralla…

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Last call for Before and After School Care savings in 2023

Parents of primary school-aged children are encouraged to download the NSW Nationals in the state government’s $500 Before and After School Care (BASC) voucher by January 31. The $155 million BASC Voucher Program helps families with household budget pressures, and more than 305,000 vouchers have already been downloaded by parents. Of these, more than 219,000…

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Biosecurity’s Top Dog

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has announced biosecurity detector dog Qubit as the ‘Top Dog’ of 2022. Acting Director of Biosecurity, Dr Chris Locke, said the department awards the ‘Top Dog’ title to a detector dog and handler team who have significantly contributed to Australia’s biosecurity efforts. The 2022 title was given to…

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