ACTIVATING REGIONAL ECONOMIES FOR THE FUTURE

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has announced a new $175 million Growing Regional Economies Fund to boost economies and jobs growth across regional NSW.

The fund will invest in infrastructure and facilities projects that will unlock housing and economic growth in regional communities.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole, said the fund will deliver infrastructure initiatives such as bridges, access roads, airport upgrades and regional research facilities that will have a positive and lasting impact that supports increased investment, land activation, and employment opportunities in regional areas.

He emphasized that regional NSW is the best place to live, work and raise a family, and that the fund will only increase the appeal to live and invest in regional NSW.

The fund will also offer support to communities right across regional NSW, with Member for Coffs Harbour, Gurmesh Singh, stating that it will mean more local jobs and more opportunities to grow industry in the regions.

The $175 million Growing Regional Economies Fund is part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s $3.3 billion Regional Growth Fund, which is being invested in local projects that improve the lives of people living in regional NSW. Expressions of Interest open on 8 February 2023 and close on 23 May 2023.

In addition to the Growing Regional Economies Fund, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government also announced an Adventure Cycling Strategy to boost regional tourism and grow adventure cycling experiences.

The plan aims to make regional NSW a global destination for adventure cyclists and will focus on developing and creating awareness of new and existing tracks across the region.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, Paul Toole, said that in the past fve years, the government has invested more than $30 million in tracks and trails across the State, including signifcant projects in Thredbo, Mogo, Wagga Wagga and Narooma, that will bring more visitors to regional communities and put more dollars in local tills.

The Adventure Cycling Strategy is part of the NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy goal to make NSW the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacifc by 2030.

The government is investing in adventure cycling projects across the State, including recent upgrades to the Wedding Bells Mountain Bike Trail Network at Woolgoolga, and the Snowy Mountains Adventure Park within the Snowy Mountains

Special Activation Precinct, which will include mountain biking trails and a range of tourism and recreational uses.

In conclusion, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has announced two major initiatives to boost the economies and tourism in regional NSW.

The $175 million Growing Regional Economies Fund will invest in infrastructure and facilities projects to unlock housing and economic growth in regional communities, while the Adventure Cycling Strategy aims to make regional NSW a global destination for adventure cyclists by developing and creating awareness of new and existing tracks across the region.

Both initiatives are part of the government’s goal to make NSW the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacifc by 2030.

Investigators renew appeal to identify driver after woman hit by ute

Investigators from Coffs-Clarence Police District have renewed calls for assistance to identify the driver of a vehicle allegedly involved in a fail to stop crash last year.

About 10pm on Friday 28 October 2022, a 45-year-old woman was riding a non-motorised scooter north on Armidale Road, South Grafton, when she was hit by vehicle and knocked to the ground.

The vehicle failed to stop and render assistance before continuing north on Armidale Road.

The woman was treated at the scene by NSW

Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Coffs Harbour Health Campus for further treatment. Offcers attached to CoffsClarence Police District attended and established a crime scene.

Investigators have now released CCTV footage of a vehicle – described as a white utility with silver tray back – and are appealing for public assistance to help identify the vehicle and any occupants.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Chinchilla Melon Festival is a wild week of melon themed events that culminate in the hilarious Melon Games.

Visitors provide the entertainment as they participate in the many competitions taking place including melon skiing, the melon toss, pip spitting, melon bungee and the melon iron man races.

Have you ever seen anyone split open 47 watermelons in 60 seconds using nothing but, well... their own melon? You should probably come to the Chinchilla Melon Festival for one heck of a good laugh!

Known as the ‘Melon Capital’ of Australia, Chinchilla produces a quarter of Australia’s melons.

Chinchilla is 300km west of Brisbane, nestled in the pristine beauty of the Western Downs.

The Melon Festival is held every 2 years in February, and encompasses a week of activities with the highlight being the classic family fun day and colourful street parade. Chinchilla

To learn more about this quirky and iconic festival please visit the website: www.melonfestival.com. au.