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  The latest vaccination rates for the Central West have been released, with the Mudgee area passing the 90% Double-Dosed mark. Mid-Western LGA now sits at 90.3% fully vaccinated. Across the area, Dubbo is at 92.5, Orange at 94.2 and Bathurst at 88.8%, with most other LGA’s across the region are close to or above the 90% mark. Based on the eligible population for the vaccine over the age of 16 in our area which the federal government use, it is estimated that under 000 people in the Mid-Western LGA remain vaccinated and around the same number have not yet had a second dose. It comes as the NSW Government further eases rules for those who are fully vaccinated by bringing forward many of the roadmap changes scheduled for 1 December to Monday, 8 November. From 8 November there will be no limit on visitors to a home, no rules for outdoor gatherings with fewer than 1,000 people, and indoor swimming pools will re-open for all purposes. Businesses will be able to welco

  Applications for funding for 2022 NSW Women’s Week events are now open, with local councils and not-for-profits encouraged to apply. State Member Dugald Saunders says $100,000 is available for local organisations seeking to host community, education, and mentoring opportunities for women and girls between 7 to 13 March. He says that the week is about recognising women from the Dubbo electorate, and celebrating their diverse contributions, and that they are looking for events that not only bring women and girls together in a COVID-safe setting, but also provide practical support to help women across the region.” Applications close on November 15 November at https://womennsw.smartygrants.com.au/WWG22   Photo: Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders, with Lucy Taylor, Georgia Swain, and Kate Griffiths, at a Women’s Week event in 2021  

  The 2022 Max Potential program is on the hunt for volunteer community coaches for next year. As Club Mudgee Max Potential moves into its 16th year next year Kandos, Gulgong & Mudgee High Schools along with St Matthews Catholic School will be involved. Those behind the program say that coaches come from all backgrounds, age and experience and no specific pre requisites apply. To find out more, you can apply via the website www.MaxPotential.com.au or email hello@maxpotential.com.au

Gulgong Public, as well as two other schools in the Dubbo electorate will take part in a new pilot program for power use and electricity efficiency.   The program explores the potential for schools to use solar PV Panels and batteries to generate electricity for themselves, and create enough to supply electricity to the State’s energy grid.      Member for Dubbo, Dugald Saunders, says our institutions are few out of 25   Schools involved in the pilot, which moves reduce demand on the energy network.”      Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell says it’s estimated that “the 25 schools will save $300,000 in power bills, money which can go back into education, and any unused power can go into the grid.”     Meanwhile, following a separate pilot program in Dubbo, stages two and three of the historic technology upgrades for all regional schools in NSW is now underway.   The $365.8 million Rural Access Gap program is ahead of schedule, with 1000 rural and remote publi

The Mudgee Makers Market is set to become a regular monthly event, with Mudgee Fine Foods receiving approval to run two different markets per month. From Sunday, the 1st of August, the monthly Makers! Market will be held in Robertson Park, and will take place from 8.30am on the first Sunday of every month. The Farmers! Market remains unchanged, to held on the third Saturday of every month. The original Makers! Markets scheduled for October and December 2021 will remain on their scheduled Saturdays. However, all other new dates will now be scheduled for Sundays. No Makers! Markets will be held during the off-peak months of January and February.   Image sourced: mudgeefinefoods.com.au  

Mid-Western Regional Council sat for their July meeting this week at the Mudgee Chambers, with multiple agendas presented, including pedestrian safety reports. The following points were determined: Mudgee’s CBD will now see a speed reduction down to 40 km/h after the High Pedestrian Activity Area was adopted last night. In the staff report, councillors were told that feedback received on the proposal saw 192 responses with 59.9% AGASINT, 34.4 for and 5.7% unsure. Staff claiming that this reflected neither strong opposition or support for the proposal. The staff report also noted that survey respondents did not did not have access to the statistics or scientific research, which includes that there have been Five crashes involving pedestrians have occurred in the Mudgee CBD in the last five years, resulting in one fatality and four people injured, and that Pedestrians hit by a car at 40km’h have twice the chance of surviving, than if hit at 50km/h. Council also accepted

The finish line is in sight for the completion on the Crudine Ridge Wind farm, with the 37th turbine constructed earlier this year. In a recent update, CWP Renewables stated commissioning and operations teams have battled the elements to keep the project on track. Head of Construction, Brendan McAvoy, says turbines are being brought online in accordance with the regulator’s requirements. 25 of the turbines are now connected. Mr McAvoy also says the construction of the Crudine Ridge Wind farm has brought over 240 jobs and over $20m of investments to the Region. Once completed, the wind farm will generate enough electricity to supply power to 55,000 homes.   Image Sourced: cwprenewables.com