Thousands of specialist staff are supporting the wellbeing and mental health of school communities during the COVID-19 lockdown. Nationals Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Government has been prioritising the mental health of students by ramping up wellbeing support. “We know how difficult the last 18 months have been for our students, which…
The NSW Nationals in the state government have launched the NSW Water Strategy – a 20-year blueprint to deliver resilient and sustainable water resources to communities across the state. The strategy coincides with the launch of the Water Project Map – a new tool for people to access information about all water infrastructure projects across…
The NSW Nationals in the federal government have extended applications for Black Summer Bushfire Recovery Program grants in eligible local government areas until 5.00pm Wednesday, October 6, 2021. The areas include the MidCoast, Port Macquarie-Hastings, and Dungog Shire council areas. Grants of between $20,000 and $10 million are available to support regions affected by the…
The new mountain bike skills course at Nesbitt Park in Lismore has been officially opened. The creation of the course involved demolishing part of the existing BMX track, undertaking drainage work, re-establishing landscaping and vegetation, and installing the sorts of bike skill features that normally would be found in a bushland setting. Nationals MLC Ben…
The agricultural sector is looking at another record-breaking year, with the gross value of production forecast to reach $73 billion in 2021-22. ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said if the forecast in the Agricultural Commodities: September Quarter report proves to be accurate, it will be the first time the agriculture sector has been valued…
Plans to build Australia’s longest road tunnel between Blackheath and Little Hartley are powering ahead, with a major contract awarded for the environmental assessment. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro said AECOM Australia had been selected in a competitive tender process to work on the proposed 11-kilometre tunnel, a central component of…
The NSW Nationals in the state government have announced an additional $287.5 million in COVID-19 financial support to assist workers and vulnerable communities in rural, regional, and metropolitan NSW. The additional funding will see the COVID-19 emergency hardship payments, test and isolate support payments, and community empowerment grants expanded across all of NSW. Deputy Premier…
Restrictions will be reintroduced for the Yass Valley Council area from 12:01am Tuesday, September 14 for two weeks. One COVID case has been confirmed in the area following a recent positive sewage detection. Urgent investigations and contact tracing are underway. Following updated health advice from NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant about the growing…
Local businesses, suppliers, and contractors are invited to tender for work to build new overtaking lanes along the Newell Highway between Coonabarabran and Narrabri. The NSW Nationals in the state and federal governments are jointly funding the rollout of additional overtaking lanes along this busy freight corridor, with 19 new lanes already delivered, eight under…
Two new freight-friendly COVID-19 testing sites are opening along key routes in Western NSW to further support the industry and keep drivers COVID-safe. Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the new pop-up sites at Dubbo and Raglan brings the number of freight testing sites across the state to 11. “More than…
Small business operators across the Upper Hunter electorate impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown are being invited to take part in a virtual support forum. Upper Hunter Nationals MP Dave Layzell will host the online event, to be attended by Finance and Small Business Minister Damien Tudehope and NSW Small Business Commissioner Chris Lamont. “I have…
Young people across NSW will have access to expanded digital mental health support thanks to a $1.5m investment from the NSW Nationals in the state government. The Moderated Online Social Therapy (MOST) platform, designed by youth mental health organisation Orygen, will be embedded in eight eligible youth mental health services across NSW between now and…
Six locals will be recruited to carry out major electrical works at the Mindyarra Maintenance Centre in Dubbo under a $20 million contract awarded to ARA Indigenous Services. Nationals Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders said the awarding of this contract to a registered Aboriginal business is great news. “I encourage everyone to apply for the…
Nationals Member for Tweed Geoff Provest has welcomed the re-establishment of the special border zone between Queensland and 12 NSW local government areas including the Tweed, saying it is a big win for local families, patients, children, and businesses. “Thank you to everyone in the Tweed for putting up with so much over the past…
All HSC students will get the opportunity to complete their studies in 2021, with the full complement of HSC exams to go ahead from November 9. Nationals Education minister Sarah Mitchell has announced students will be able to sit their HSC exams and receive their results in time for university offers to be made. The…
