G’day folks,

Well, it’s almost Christmas, which usually means things slow down a bit, but for some reason that doesn’t seem to have been the case in my world.

The last week or so has seen me travel back and forth between the electorate and Sydney, for a range of meetings including committee inquiries in Parliament, an end of year school awards presentation and a community meeting about medical services. Speaking of medical services, in between appointments I battled a nasty bug that has been doing the rounds. 

While I won’t be taking an actual holiday, I am looking forward to spending a bit of time with members of my family in the coming weeks, as I hope you are too.

Vale Claire Kelly

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Claire Kelly, a centenarian from Broken Hill. Earlier this year I had the great pleasure of presenting Claire with a certificate acknowledging her reaching the age of 100. Claire shared a few stories of growing up in Marrickville, playing under trains in nearby railway yard, and sliding down sand dunes on sheets of tin.

She told me that they took risks in her days and said, “I don’t think kids these days have the fun that we did.” She also had an ambition when she was young to swim all the rivers in NSW “but I gave it up when I tried to swim the Lachlan.”

Claire spent time in the army during World War II and ended up living in Broken Hill, which she made her home, and it became the place where she raised her family. Her daughter Sharon said that Claire went into care in November due to decreasing mobility, and she passed away in the early hours of December 9.

I'm deeply saddened to learn of Claire Kelly's passing at the remarkable age of 100 and a half. My condolences go out to her family and loved ones. Claire will be greatly missed.

Vale Claire.

IMAGE: Essential Energy

Essential Energy Workers dispute

If there is one thing that we have learnt from the recent power outages in Barwon it is that energy workers are vital to the functioning of our electricity network.

They are highly skilled and critical to our bush communities. Where there would be separate specialist teams in cities, teams are often called on to do every job needed to keep our power on in Barwon and other regional areas.

Recently my Cobar office received a delegation of Electrical Trades Union workers putting forward their case for better pay and conditions. 

Workers need to be paid fairly, and I hope the NSW Government and the Electrical Trades Union can work together, in good faith, toward a fair outcome that will work for all parties.

The NSW Government is a major employer of ETU workers in the bush, these workers provide an essential service. I urge the Government to work with the ETU, to come to some kind of resolution as soon as possible, one that recognises the skills, responsibilities, and unique challenges of working in rural and remote NSW.

I will continue to talk with the relevant ministers about this issue.

Beating the heat

Recently a heatwave gave us a bit of a taste of how hot a summer we might be in for. People who live in Central Western and Far Western NSW already have an idea of how hot it can get, but it is always good to take precautions when out in the heat. Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day, wear a hat, take breaks to cool down, and stay hydrated. 

Although many of us are used to the heat, some are more vulnerable, so check on your neighbours, friends, and family to ensure they are okay. Especially children and the elderly who feel the heat more.

Animals can also be particularly vulnerable. During the summer, it's crucial to ensure that animals have constant access to water and shade, as they can quickly suffer from heat stress in hot weather.

Here are some tips to help your pet cool down during summer:

1. Provide extra bowls of water in case one is accidentally knocked over.
2. Freeze half a bowl of water overnight and add half a bowl of cool water before giving it to your pet.
3. Provide extra shade areas in your backyard using shade cloths and shade umbrellas.
4. Let your pet play in paddling pools filled with water. (Be sure to watch any children who might be around the water.)
5. Never leave your dog in the car, even with the windows down. Animals can die in as little as six minutes, as temperatures in a vehicle can rise to dangerous levels, even on mild days. (Leaving the windows open, parking in the shade and tinting do not help to reduce the inside temperature.)
6. Always walk your dog in the early morning or late evening when it’s cooler. (Be careful as surfaces can stay hot, which can damage your pets’ paws.)
7. Ensure your pet always has easy access to shade and water throughout the day.

Regional Development Trust

Round two of funding from the NSW Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust is now open.

Businesses, consortiums, local governments, associations, Aboriginal corporations, not-for-profits, and other eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for a share of the $50 million Regional Economic Development and Community Investment Program, delivered by the NSW Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust.

Grants between $500,000 and $5 million will be available for infrastructure projects and capital investments to create jobs and economic opportunities.

Regional programs will have between $250,000 and $1 million available to improve service delivery, community connection, and capacity building.

Applications are now open and close at 5pm on Thursday, 20 February 2025.

For more information click here.

Coonamble on the go

When I was travelling the electorate recently, I paid a visit to Coonamble, to meet with members of the Coonamble Shire Council including the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, the Acting GM and one of the Directors.

They took me to have a look at several projects the council has underway, projects I have supported and are now being constructed.

One of them is the Bore Baths complex, which will be a draw card for tourists and locals. There are several bore baths around Barwon, and every time I visit them, I meet people who come from all over the state and from interstate.

Along with that there are 19 new home sites in development, which will increase availability for essential worker accommodation and take pressure off private rentals. The Council has also built new tennis courts.

Roy speaking with Deputy Mayor Steven Butler and Mayor Dan Keady on the site of the proposed Yarran Street housing development. IMAGE: CSC

While in town I also had the privilege of attending the 2024 Class Performances and Presentation Night for St Brigid’s Catholic Primary School Coonamble.

Each year the school puts on a great performance, which has lots of colour and movement, and really shows off the talents of the students and the ability of the teachers to bring out the best in the performers. There was also recognition of academic and sporting achievements.

This event really drew a massive crowd, it was standing room only. This is a great school community.

It’s great to see so many good things happening in Coonamble. I look forward to my next visit.

Nyngan to Cobar Pipeline Pumping Stations

Unlike many towns and cities that are built on a river, Cobar is one of those unusual places that grew without a natural watercourse.

But like any other population centre, residents, and businesses of the “Copper City” still need a reliable and affordable source of water. This is provided by a pipeline from Nyngan, but the ageing infrastructure is in need of an upgrade.

That is why it was good to hear news that two new high-tech pump stations are being delivered at Nyngan and Hermidale to ensure water is pumped more efficiently.

The $45.5 million infrastructure project contract has now been awarded to construction company Diona. Work will begin in early 2025 and will create 20 jobs in Western NSW.

The works will significantly improve the efficiency and transfer of water as it travels from the Nyngan weir pool to Cobar along an existing 138-kilometre pipeline.

The current infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life and is at risk of failing. This is a welcome announcement from the NSW and Federal Government.

The priority now is to get the pipeline itself upgraded; this is something I am continuing to talk to the government about.

Inquiry into Power Outages

In October this year a storm took out seven electricity towers south of Broken Hill, cutting many towns in the region off from the electricity grid.

A backup generator tripped, and another was offline, leaving people in the Far West without power, or with an unreliable service, for nearly two weeks. In the aftermath I requested the government hold an inquiry into the effects of the outage and the response to it.

That request has been granted and the Committee on Environment and Planning will now hold an inquiry into the outages, looking at the impact of the outage on people, businesses, and organisations in the Far West, determining whether the response was adequate or whether it could have been handled better.

The inquiry covers Broken Hill and towns/localities in the Far West of NSW, including Menindee, Silverton, Tibooburra, White Cliffs, Milparinka, Packsaddle, Emmdale and Wilcannia, during the period from 17 to 31 October 2024.

I encourage anyone affected to make a submission. The more detailed and comprehensive a picture the committee gets of what went on the better their report will be.

A submission doesn’t need to be a complicated document, it can be as simple as an email telling your experience. Submissions are open until the 10th of February 2025 To make a submission go to https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/inquiry-details.aspx?pk=3084#tab-submissions

Merry Christmas

It has been a challenging year for many people, not least because of the rising living costs, but hopefully things will improve in the New Year.

I have been working on issues like improving health, education, roads, community consultation and talking to the government about a range of measures that will help people deal with cost-of-living pressures and prevent some further rises.

If you are heading out on holidays or driving to see friends and family, be careful on the roads. Focus on getting to your destination safely rather than making it in the shortest time possible.

I hope that everyone has time to relax for a time over the Festive Season, to catch up with friends, families and loved ones. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.