Congratulations to Poppy Starr from Cowra on winning the junior (under 18 years) category of the 2022 Central West is Best Photography Competition with her entry ‘Into the light’. Poppy is the daughter of the graphic designer of the Phoenix Group of Newspapers, Lisa Brien.
Return And Earn To Expand: The NSW Government’s wildly popular Return and Earn scheme is set to expand to include glass wine and spirits bottles and larger containers. The scheme has already seen more than eight billion containers returned. The planned expansion would see up to an additional 400 million eligible bottles recycled each year, including 233 million glass bottles. The discussion paper is available at https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au/ and is open for consultation until 2nd December. More information about Return and Earn at www.returnandearn.org.au
Plastic Ban: Remember the NSW Government is banning single-use plastics from 1st November. This includes: single-use plastic straws and cutlery; single-use plastic plates and bowls; and expanded polystyrene foodware. For more information visit: bit.ly/plastics-ban
Regional Health Plan: People in rural, regional and remote communities across NSW are encouraged to have their say on a new plan for the future of regional health. Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the community’s feedback would be absolutely critical in developing the Regional Health Plan 2022-2032. So far there has been 68 consultation sessions with 1,600 people across NSW as well as more than 2,000 surveys completed.To have your say, visit https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/nsw-regional-health-plan. The survey closes at 11.59pm on Sunday, 23rd October.
Central West Regional Weed Plan: Central West landholders and community members are encouraged to have their say on the new draft Central West Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan. It is one of 11 draft Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans that is open for consultation across NSW. The plans are used to explain how each region will work together to identify, minimise, respond to and manage priority weeds over the next five years. To view, read and submit feedback visit www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/weed-plans. Submissions close on Sunday, 6th November.
Counselling For Farmers: A new, dedicated phone line will allow to quickly and easily connect with the Rural Aid counselling team. The direct line will ensure farmers are provided a faster and more trauma-informed response with access to a trained counsellor who can support them with referrals for immediate needs, while getting a sense of their story and matching them with the most appropriate support. To get in touch with a Rural Aid counsellor, phone 1300 175 594 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.
Bedgerabong Public School thanked Nedd Brockmann for inspiring their students, and the rest of the world, by spell-ing out ‘Go Nedd’ on the school grounds this week.