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While COVID numbers continue to grow with the Sydney outbreak, NO COVID CASES have been detected in the Western NSW area. Local Health District Chief Executive, Scott McLachlan, says that testing is available for people who have even mild symptoms that are associated with COVID-19, including: fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of taste or smell. He says that it is important to maintain high testing rates to identify as many cases in the community as quickly as possible. Close to 1200 tests have been done in the Mudgee area in the past 4 weeks, with reports that the Mudgee Clinic has seen an increase in daily testing numbers. Bookings for the Mudgee Covid testing clinic is open 7 days on 0417 072 652 Executive Mr McLachlan also says that “demand for vaccination is high”. However, the advice remains NOT to call your local hospital for vaccine information, rather use the Eligibility Checker at The Western Public Health Helpline: 1300 066 055. The

Mid-Western Regional Council have issued a Boil Water Alert for Clandulla. In an issued statement, local Council says recent water main breaks has resulted in the draining of Clandulla Reservoir, which in turn impacted the Charbon and Clandulla water supply. MWR-Council also says that Charbon water supply has returned to normal, however, Clandulla residents remain impacted.   Once water supply is returned to Clandulla residents, there will be unknown water quality in the Clandulla reticulation system. In so, Council advises Clandulla residents to boil town water supply until further advice is distributed, which is expected to take up to several days. Water used for drinking or food preparation should be brought to a rolling boil to make it safe. Kettles with automatic shut off switches can do this.  Water should then be allowed to cool and stored in a clean container with a lid and refrigerated.    Bottled water or cool boiled water should be used for drinking, washing uncooked

A Mudgee man who was arrested earlier this month, as part of ‘Operation Ironside’, which saw a house raid and the seizure of firearms, drugs and further prohibited items - faced court again yesterday. David John Walker reappeared in court via video link where he was granted strict conditional bail. Some of those conditions include that Walker reside in Mudgee, and not leave that address from 9PM until 5am daily, not leave the Mid-Western or Dubbo council areas, can only possess one mobile device, of which the particulars are supplied to Police. He must also not attempt to contact any witnesses. Further conditions apply under the bail terms. Walker is due to reappear once again on the 6th of July.    

The NSW Government has announced that applications are now open for the 2021 round of the Community Grants Program. Not-for-profit day care services, mobile preschools and community preschools in NSW are eligible to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to support initiatives at their service. Member for Dubbo, Dugald Saunders, says the program is helping to promote educational access, and supporting increased participation for Aboriginal children and children experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage. For more information, including further eligibility criteria, you can refer to the Community Grants program guidelines.  

A man has been charged with multiple traffic offences following an investigation into a fatal crash in the region last month. Police say that around 10.30am on the 25th of May, a car and a truck collided at the intersection of Fairfield Road and The Golden Highway, in Dunedoo. The driver of the car, a 53-year-old woman died at the scene. The 46-year-old male truck driver was taken to hospital for mandatory testing. Following an investigation, he attended Wyong Police Station last Thursday, June 17th, where he was charged with dangerous driving occasioning death, negligent driving occasioning death, and drive behind other vehicle too closely to stop. The man was issued a future court attendance notice to appear before Mudgee Local Court on Wednesday the 25th of August.     

A Major development at 50 Broadhead Road was approved by Mid-Western Regional Council last night at their June meeting, despite a range of councillors noting their concerns over the intensity. The development on the former Living Earth Site, will see a total of six (6) single storey dwellings comprising either 3 or 4 , four (4) attached dual occupancies comprising either 3 or 4 bedrooms, nine (9) single storey multi-dwelling housing units comprising either 3 or 4 bedrooms and Construction of a child care centre to cater for up to 52 children. A separate subdivision of 25 lots off Robertson Road was also approved by council, despite a large number of objections. Speakers a council open day raised concerns over water runoff during rain, length of a proposed cul-de-sac and the water pressure in the area. And development for a Function Centre, Amenities Building and Change of Use to Bed and Breakfast Accommodation at Spring Flat Road was also approved by councillors.    

  The latest crime statistics for the last quarter has been released for NSW and the Mid-Western local government area. Between April 2019 to March 2021, the Bureau Of Crime and Statistics Australia (BOCSAR), recorded an 84.4 per-cent increase in indecent assaults and other sexual offences in the region, within the two-year timeframe. With the spike in the assault trends throughout NSW, Minister for Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Mark Speakman, has released a statement, urging anyone who is victim of these crimes, to come forward to police. “While this spike comes off the back of intense media coverage and long overdue public discussion of sexual violence in our communities, it also demonstrates what we already knew, that these crimes are significantly under-reported each day. “Our message to victim-survivors is please know that you are not alone, and that help is available, whether that’s contacting the police or another support or counselling service.” BOCS

Police are encouraging motorists to have patience over the long weekend, with roads across the state expected to be busy with travelers. Officers will be stationed across the region for Operation Queen’s Birthday 2021 from today, till midnight on Monday, Patrols are set to target the Four Ds: (Drink, Drug, Dangerous and Distracted driving), and also encourage road users who witness these behaviours to report such actions. Double demerit points will again be in force for speeding, mobile phone, seat belt and motorcycle/helmet offences. Meanwhile, alcohol-related violence and anti-social behaviour will be a primary focus for officers in regional New South Wales as part of a high-visibility operation this long weekend, also. Police from Western Regions will conduct Operation Pariac, seeing officers visit highly popular venues and entertainment precincts. General duties officers will be assisted by specialist licencing police to target violence and anti-social behaviour both inside a

  Primary producers across our area experiencing financial hardship due to the mice plague, will be able to claim rebates for the purchase of the mouse control chemical zinc phosphide.   This is now part of an extension of the NSW Government’s Mouse Control Program. Deputy Premier John Barilaro says this new funding will offer primary producers a rebate of 50 per cent on zinc phosphide purchases, up to $10,000, to provide financial relief, cash flow and confidence to place advance orders on zinc phosphide ahead of the Spring season. Minister for Agriculture, Adam Marshall, says the State Government is working with manufacturers to help 'store up' supplies of zinc phosphide, to ensure the State’s farmers are prepared to stamp out a possible spring surge in the mouse population. The $100 million primary producer zinc phosphide rebate scheme is in addition to the $50 million package designed for households and small businesses announced in May.

    A 35-year-old man has been arrested for possession of illegal items, following a search of properties in Mudgee around 7am, yesterday morning. Upon the two searches, Detectives and Orana Mid-Western police seized 20 firearms – including a 50-calibre military style gun – nearly $12,000 cash, ammunition, electronic devices and cannabis. He was taken to Mudgee police station with inquiries continuing. The investigation forms part of a state-wide arm of Operation Ironside – formed by the AFP and the FBI in 2018 to investigate serious organised crime. In total, NSW Police Force investigators have executed 33 search warrants, arrested 35 people and seized 27 firearms, more than $800,000 cash, luxury vehicles worth $1.5 million and significant quantities of prohibited drugs during the state-based arm of Operation Ironside in the past two days.   (Picture - One of the firearms seized in Mudgee.  Supplied by NSW Police.)

With NSW Local Government elections coming up in September, The NSW Electoral Commission are recruiting more than 30,000 people across the State to take on an assisting role. There are a range of jobs available, including marking names off the electoral roll, managing an entire polling place or being a ballot box guard. Multiple jobs will be carried out on election day, though there are also positions to be filled that begin up to eight weeks before the election. Work is available across most of NSW and interested applicants can submit an expression of interest now by visiting elections.nsw.gov.au  

Western NSW Health will he holding a COVID-19 AstraZeneca Vaccination Clinic in Rylstone tomorrow for those over the age of 50. The clinic is FREE, but bookings are essential by 3pm, and can be made by calling 0467 945 959 The Clinic will be at Rylstone Memorial Hall from 11am. Organisers say that you must not have ANY other vaccination two weeks either side of the appointment and If you have any underlying medical conditions or concerns to speak to your GP prior to attending the clinic. The Second Dose Clinic will be run Tuesday, August 31,  and people are asked to ensure they will be available for both doses before calling to book. Image sourced: www.bbc.com/news Meanwhile, from now, people aged 40 to 49 will be able to register their interest for the vaccine directly through the Service NSW app. This will later apply with other age groups when it becomes available. People who register will be contacted to book via email when appointments become accessible. These invit

Mudgee Fire and Rescue NSW are taking on new recruits, extending an invitation to join the local brigade team. They are searching for on-call firefighters, who on the job, will develop challenging skills whilst helping the community. The local brigade are looking for both women and men who live or work within a reasonable distance from the Mudgee fire station and are able to be at the immediate, on-call disposal to respond to incidents. Fire and Rescue NSW employs approximately 3,500 firefighters per year throughout the State, all with diverse backgrounds and life commitments. Also as a requirement, applicants bust have an eligible NSW drivers license, be an Australian resident or an Australian or New Zealand permanents citizen. An application can be completed online, via https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=11&fbclid=IwAR2FHPRkOw-zkUE89ghYWRJPadrkJsgzPCNuowgyKX5l698KXwkIJyFn4Dc Image sourced: Fire and Rescue NSW Mudgee Facebook page

Work is now complete transforming an old railway carriage into a Learning Centre at Kandos Public School. The 50-year-old derelict rail carriage had been sitting in the school grounds for some time, before a $250,000 grant from the State Government provided the opportunity for an unusual use of recycling, into an education tool and precinct. The refurbishment means it can be used for teacher and learning facilities by occupational therapy professionals and visiting councilors. Not only this, but the school’s principal, Todd Morely, says it’s already been used profusely over the past 4 weeks, and calling it the “STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) Centre - with air conditioning and a tiled checkerboard style floor which acts as coding for the robots to follow”.   Image provided via Dugald Saunders MP media  

  With plans well underway for the return of the Mudgee Small farm field days next month, organisers have now made tickets available for purchase. Due to Covid19 restrictions, those wanting to attend the event this year will need to pre-purchase tickets via the 123TIX website. General Manager of the field days, Cassandra Stanford says that once again this year the free shuttle busses will be running, and any other relevant information can be found on the field days website and facebook page. Ticket prices for a one-day pass remain at $20 adult and $10 concession, plus a booking fee. Children remain free, but MUST have a children’s ticket. Tickets are  here

Veterans and their partners are set to have access to free training to broaden their career opportunities and help transition to civilian life after service, after a landmark Veterans Skills Program was launched. The Program will allow eligible learners to study any course offered under the Government’s Smart and Skilled program from a Certificate II to Advanced Diplomas, including all apprenticeships and selected trainee-ships. Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee says Skills NSW is working with employers, industry and veterans groups to provide targeted training to assist veterans into jobs. He says that with fee-free training, the government can now help even more veterans re-skill in order to take advantage of jobs available in the market including in industries experiencing skills shortages. More information can be found at https://education.nsw.gov.au/skills-nsw/veteran  

Workers at the Suntop Solar Farm near Wellington have been back paid thousands of dollars after employers allegedly failed to pay staff for specific overtime breaks. It’s reported that an investigation by the Electrical Trades Union, found Spinifex Recruitment – hired by the farm site company, wasn’t paying casual electrical workers the 20-minute overtime meal break. The Union’s Deputy Secretary for NSW & ACT, Allen Hicks says: “As a result of our investigation, $102,082.53 has been back paid to staff employed at Suntop Solar Farm.