Rural health trainees get a taste of mid-North Coast life

Hundreds of students studying to be doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals head to Coffs Harbour every year for part of their training, creating jobs, boosting local investment and increasing access to health professionals for local patients. Through the NSW Nationals in the federal government’s Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training (RHMT) Program, students are exposed…

Read more

Housing supply and affordability in the regions

An independent report has been released with recommendations for how the planning system can address housing supply and affordability in regional communities. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole welcomed the Regional Housing Taskforce’s report, which was underpinned by five key recommendations and 15 actions. “We set up the Taskforce to provide advice…

Read more

Medal-winning advice for the HSC class of 2021

Few people are as familiar with the challenges of reaching the finishing line in this pandemic as our Tokyo Olympians, and today they’ve sent their best wishes to our HSC students ahead of the start of their written exams. Nationals Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said students should remember life after school is just around…

Read more

$120,000 grant for Coffs screen manufacturer

A Coffs Harbour business that designs and builds innovative outdoor screens for homes and businesses is set to bring manufacturing inhouse to reduce its reliance on offshore suppliers, thanks to the NSW Nationals in the state government’s Regional Job Creation Fund. A $120,000 grant will help Ossie O buy and install new plant and equipment…

Read more

Free training to support push for the bush this Summer

Young people are being encouraged to skill up this Summer and support the regions with 10,000 free training places across more than 800 courses now available. The NSW Nationals in the state government have launched the Summer Skills program, offering free training delivered by TAFE NSW and 120 registered training providers in critical industries. Deputy…

Read more

Support for Bathurst Family Day Care

The NSW Nationals in the federal government have announced $180,000 in funding to support Bathurst Family Day Care. Federal Nationals member for Calare Andrew Gee said Bathurst Family Day Care has been delivering top notch home-based child care for local children for more than three decades. “The organisation provides warm and engaging care for smaller…

Read more

Second contract awarded for tunnel plan

A second contract has been awarded to carry out investigation work for the feasibility of Australia’s longest road tunnel project as part of the Great Western Highway upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said a joint venture of AECOM Australia and Aurecon Australasia was selected…

Read more

New fire stations and equipment for Upper Hunter

The Upper Hunter electorate is set to benefit from three new fire stations, two for Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) and one for the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) firefighters. Nationals Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell, was joined by Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott, FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter and RFS Chief…

Read more

Backing Manning-Great Lakes as regional capital

The NSW Nationals in the federal government are continuing to back major capital works transforming the Manning Great Lakes into a regional capital. Acting Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce joined Federal Nationals Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie on a tour of key federally-funded infrastructure at Taree and Forster: • Figtrees on the Manning • Taree…

Read more

Grand opening for Tamworth’s new residence for women and children

Tamworth Family Support Services are celebrating the opening of their brand-new women’s and children’s residence, purchased with the assistance of a $316,005 grant from the NSW COVID-19 Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Infrastructure Program. Nationals Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson lauded Tamworth Family Support Services for their commitment to the safety and wellbeing of women…

Read more

Grazing goats mitigating bushfire risk

A herd of 40 firefighting goats is chewing through hectares of fuel loads near Mudgee as the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) continues its Hazard Reduction Grazing trial in the state’s Central West. The goats, sourced from local business Dry Creek Farm, ‘cell-graze’ between different patches of undergrowth through high-risk areas, including Clandulla and Lue.…

Read more