This week Bourke welcomed an election promise of $1.1 million, with the bulk towards the Bourke and District Children's Servies (BDCS) and the remainder to the Renshaw Sporting Complex. 

Nationals Candidate Jamie Chaffey visited Bourke on Wednesday 9 April for the announcement. 

Around $1 million will provide the BDCS with a shed that can house two buses, a mobile resource truck, staff bathrooms, laundry, a toy wash facility, and a centralised storage area. 

The BDCS is also contributing $20,000 to the upgrades. 

BDCS General Manager Prue Ritchie is excited about the commitment. 

"These facilities will support our Preschool, Childcare, and Mobile Services to work efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of our remote community," Ms Ritchie said. 

"I think it's just been really nice to have people who are interested in how they can assist. We welcome any investment for the young people of Western NSW.

"Investment in early childhood services both in Bourke and in the whole of Australia is something that is widely needed." 

The BDCS currently has 78 licensed places and 60 children on their waiting list, limiting the town's potential to attract migrant workers across many sectors. 

“This significantly impacts the ability for Police, Health, Education, or for that matter all employment sectors in our economy, to attract workers and their families to Bourke as childcare is simply not available for so many,” Cr Ford said. 

"We would like to have a place for every child, every day," Ms Ritchie said.

The remainder of the commitment ($122,533) will go towards replacing the callers box at the Renshaw Sporting Complex.

Bourke Mayor Lachlan Ford and Jamie Chaffey on the current callers box at the Renshaw Sporting Complex

A new callers box at the Complex will accommodate the commentary for various different sporting events held in the arena, and inside the track, and provide facilities for recording digital footage of the events held at the Complex, including the Bourke Annual Show. 

Mr Chaffey said, “This funding will provide a new officials box which can be utilised by the various different groups that use the Complex such as the Back O Bourke Picnic Races and Stampede Clubs, the Bourke Gun and Pony Clubs and the Bourke P&A Association.” 

The Bourke Shire Council will contribute $20,000 to the Complex project.