Have your say on Cowra hospital redevelopment

The Cowra community is invited to attend information sessions to learn more about planning for the $70.2 million Cowra Hospital redevelopment which will provide enhanced health services for the region. The community information sessions will be hosted online, with a drop-in face-to face session also planned, pending COVID-19 health restrictions. The sessions will be held…

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Visiting the farm without leaving the classroom

Students will soon get a hands-on farm experience in the classroom with NSW Farmers set to launch Ag Packs as part of the popular Kids to Farms Program. The program, which is funded by the NSW Nationals in the federal government, aims to give every child in NSW two educational interactions with the agricultural sector…

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Regional schools welcome students back for Term 4

More than 140,000 students across NSW have returned to face-to-face learning for the start of Term 4. With COVID-19 restrictions eased across many parts of rural and regional NSW, 721 schools – almost a third of the state’s public schools – have welcomed all students back on site. Students have returned to COVID-safe settings that…

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Statement from John Barilaro

As we emerge from lockdown, we must embrace this time as a new beginning for our state and welcome the opportunity it presents for a refresh. I have decided now is the right time for me to hand the reins over to new leadership and resign as Deputy Premier of NSW. Serving as Deputy Premier…

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Wild horse draft plan for Kosciuszko National Park

The draft plan for the management of wild horses in the Kosciuszko National Park has been released for public comment. Nationals Member for Monaro John Barilaro said the release of the draft plan marks a significant step forward in striking the right balance between recognising the cultural heritage values of the wild horses while protecting…

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M.Ps join forces to call for major telco reform

17 government MPs from across Australia have come together to support a Private Members Bill which will see telecommunications companies made accountable for continued poor service in regional and metropolitan areas. Federal Nationals Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said an alarming number of his constituents told him horror stories about telecommunications, particularly during the recent…

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Nats provide more support for contractors in bumper harvest

Harvest contractors will be able to use the 11 freight-friendly testing sites designed to keep freight moving and drivers COVID-safe under the latest measure the NSW Nationals in the state government are rolling out to support the industry through a bumper harvest. Nationals Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said allowing harvest contractors…

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Supporting workplace mental health

The NSW Nationals in the state government have launched a new Workplace Pulse Check tool to help businesses improve their mental health support and access relevant training and materials from SafeWork NSW. Nationals Minister for Better Regulation Kevin Anderson said by undertaking the pulse check as part of October’s Mental Health Month, business owners and…

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Stay-at-home orders

Stay-at-home orders will be extended for a number of Local Government Areas in regional NSW due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health risk. The orders will be extended for the following LGAs until Monday, October 11: Bathurst Regional Bourke Central Coast City of Cessnock Dubbo Regional Eurobodalla Goulburn Mulwaree Kiama. City of Lake Macquarie City…

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School return brought forward

Schools will begin their staggered return to face-to-face learning on Monday, October 18 – one week earlier than initially planned. Nationals Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said an additional week of quality face-to-face learning for students is worth having and can be achieved in a safe and sensible way. “It’s fantastic…

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It’s time for daylight saving

A reminder that daylight saving starts in NSW this weekend. Clocks move forward an hour on Sunday morning, October 3, with 2am becoming 3am. With public health orders still in place, people are being asked to enjoy the lighter evenings responsibly to keep the community safe. Most electronic devices automatically update to daylight saving time,…

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Major upgrade for Grafton’s Corcoran Park

Picturesque Corcoran Park, located on the Clarence River in Grafton, is set for a major upgrade thanks to $982,000 in joint funding from the NSW Nationals in the federal and state governments. Federal Nationals Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the project will boost economic recovery and create jobs in the local community. “The project…

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