Three months after unprecedented floods devastated parts of NSW, the mammoth effort to repair regional road and rail links is powering ahead. Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said Transport for NSW crews have been working around the clock to reconnect communities since the first wave of extreme weather triggered the February-March…
Australia’s agricultural exports are set to hit a record $65 billion in value in 2022-23 as total production tops $80 billion for a second straight year. Executive Director of ABARES Dr Jared Greenville said the sector would weather input and supply chain challenges to produce $80.4 billion in commodities on the back of favourable conditions…
The NSW Government has announced a new public sector wages policy to provide increased pay for public sector employees including nurses, teachers, and paramedics. The new two-year policy provides among the highest public sector wages growth in the country with employees offered a 3.0 per cent remuneration increase per annum in 2022-23 and 2023-24, with…
A record 10,148 full-time equivalent staff will be recruited to hospitals and health services across NSW over four years, in the nation’s largest-ever health workforce boost, as part of the NSW Government’s 2022-23 Budget. 7,674 more workers would be recruited in the first year, which will help ease pressure on COVID-fatigued health staff and fast-track…
The second stage of a world-class multi-day walk, featuring the country’s highest suspension bridge between Guthega and Charlotte Pass in Kosciuszko National Park, is now complete. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the spectacular new nine-kilometre track along the upper Snowy River is helping to establish the region as a key…
Thousands of ratepayers whose properties were damaged in this year’s devastating floods will receive rates relief, thanks to a $40 million funding package from the NSW Nationals in the state government. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said ratepayers in any of the seven Northern Rivers Local Government Areas (LGAs) who made…
A proposed windfarm in the Nundle area containing 65 turbines continues to attract community interest. The project was first proposed for the region in 2018 and taken over by Engie Hills of Gold in 2020. Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the windfarm proposal has been the subject of intense debate both for and…
Timber processors on the flood-affected NSW North Coast have been given certainty to invest in their businesses and equipment, following the NSW Nationals in the state government’s announcement of a five-year extension to existing wood supply agreements. Deputy Premier Paul Toole said the additional five-year deal has aligned the expiry date for all timber supply…
Motorists in Dungog Shire are seeing the results of initiatives being delivered to improve safety on local and rural roads. Upper Hunter Nationals MP Dave Layzell has hosted Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway on a tour of the vital works being delivered by Dungog Shire Council to reduce its backlog of…
The Dungowan Cowboys are training under new lights after works were completed on the $186,881 Dungowan Recreation Ground lighting project, funded by the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund. Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson attended the Cowboys training session to see the lights in action. “The Cowboys have a fantastic…
Campers, cyclists, hikers and timber harvesters will have greater access to flood-affected state forests under the NSW Government’s $60 million investment to repair critical road infrastructure. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said Forestry Corporation maintains a network of forest roads and trails spanning 60,000 kilometres, and these are critical for community…
The pristine Tweed coast features in new highly detailed digital maps covering 6,800km of the NSW coastline which the NSW Nationals in the state government have just made available for all to see. Tweed Nationals MP Geoff Provest has announced people can view the new maps with a Seabed NSW 3D map viewer. “Tweed Shire…
Primary producers in flood-affected regions of NSW will soon have access to a range of technical support and recovery advice thanks to the new $13 million Early Needs Recovery Program. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said this program will provide hands-on advice and information to primary producers including site visits, workshops,…
The Public Safety Network (PSN) on the Mid North Coast has been expanded with the completion of a new site at Pee Dee near Bellbrook. Nationals Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said the new $300,780 radio site delivered by the NSW Telco Authority was vital to ongoing community safety. “These sites provide emergency services organisations…
Boys to the Bush is a not-for-profit charity providing prevention and early intervention strategies for young men between the ages of nine and 22 who are at risk of disengagement. Through mentoring, camps and wellbeing group sessions, they offer programs that re-engage young men in regional areas with education and training, while also supporting their…
