The closure of the Great Western Highway at Victoria Pass continues to impact travel, freight and tourism across the Central West. It has again highlighted how vulnerable our region is when key infrastructure fails, with flow-on effects for local businesses and communities.

This reinforces the need for long-term investment in reliable road and rail infrastructure. In the interim I have worked closely with the government to get services from sydney out west.

Fuel supply issues and rising prices remain a serious concern across regional NSW. With the cost of living already high, unreliable supply and price volatility are placing added pressure on households, small businesses and those who rely on fuel every day. I will continue to call on the Government to work with the Commonwealth to secure supply chains and ease the burden on regional communities.

Recent changes to firearms laws continue to raise strong concerns across the Central West and NSW. While the events that led to these changes were tragic, many in our community believe the response has been rushed, with limited consultation and scrutiny. More than 98,000 people signed a petition raising concerns-one of the largest ever recorded­which shows the strength of community feeling. There are real concerns these changes place further restrictions on law-abiding firearms owners, while doing little to address illegal firearms. Questions have also been raised about limits that don’t reflect the practical needs of hunters, primary producers and sporting shooters. I will continue to advocate for fair, balanced laws that target crime-not responsible people.

The proposed energy-from-waste facility at Parkes continues to raise strong community concerns. Many locals are questioning why regional communities should manage metropolitan waste, particularly given Parkes’ agricultural setting and the need to transport waste long distances. While I am not opposed to the technology, it must be in the right location and have genuine community support. I will continue to stand with the Parkes community and ensure their voices are heard.

Arts OutWest is excited to launch the first year of the Arts OutWest Cultural Fund Microgrants – and is calling for artists and groups to apply.

This new program supports locally driven arts and heritage activity across the NSW Central West and is offered thanks to gener­ous donations from the public.

In 2026, two funding streams are availa­ble: Up to $1000 for individual artists and up to $2500 for groups, including arts organi­sations, collectives, local councils, arts and heritage businesses and artist–organisation partnerships.

Activities funded might include community art projects, workshops, exhibitions, perfor­mances, talks, story development, artist residencies, creative experiments, the crea­tion of new work and more.

Projects must take place between June and December 2026 and occur within the local government areas of Bathurst Re­gion, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mid-Western Regional, Oberon, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.

All applicants must discuss their idea with Arts OutWest before applying.

Full guidelines, FAQs, and the appli­cation form are available now at: https://artsoutwest.org.au/pf/arts-outwest-cultual-fund-microgrants/ Arts OutWest will hold a Microgrants information session online on Wednesday 1st of April at 5.30pm. Book via the artsoutwest.org.au website.

Club manager and licensee Simone Newell thanking Independent Member for Orange Philip Donato MP.

Independent Member for Orange Philip Donato MP on Thursday, 12 March 2026 returned to the Eugowra Community Bowls & Recreation Club to inspect their flooddamaged toilet facilities, which are in des­perate need of repair. Club manager and licensee Simone Newell was present to receive some good news.

The Independent Orange MP announced the club will receive $40,000 in NSW Gov­ernment Community Building Partnership grants funding to rebuild the toilets, includ­ing disabled toilets – helping to bring the club back to fully functional amenities and more inclusive use by the community.

“I was only too pleased to support the Eugowra Community Bowls & Recreation Club’s grants funding application to rebuild their flood-damaged toilet facilities,” Mr Do­nato said.

“Eugowra needs every helping hand they can get to rebuild after the devastating 2022 flood, and I didn’t hesitate to throw my full support behind the 2025 NSW Gov­ernment Community Building Partnership grant and this important project.

“I was pleased to announce the Club’s success in getting $40,000 which will go a long way towards rebuilding flood-dam­aged amenities, but also to improve the facilities for disabled members and visitors so that they can return their facilities to a fully functional state, as well broadening community inclusion.

“I applaud the Club’s committee and the wider Eugowra community for their cohe­sive and ongoing efforts, not just to rebuild – but to make their town thrive better than ever, Mr Donato said.

The Young Farmers Business Program will officially kick-off at the Sydney Royal Easter Show on Thursday 2 April, helping NSW farmers set up for the opportunities and challenges ahead in the State’s booming agricultural industry.

The program starts with the Young Farmer Exchange, a free three-hour event hosted by NSW Farmers Young Farmers Commit­tee, in conjunction with the Royal Agricul­tural Society of NSW Youth Group.

Following the daytime forum, guests are also invited to attend Hats Off, an evening of networking and entertainment for young people working or interested in agriculture aged 18 years and over.

The event’s theme, Agriculture 2075: In­vestment, Innovation and Influence, will feature leading industry voices exploring how agriculture may evolve over the coming decades.

NSW Farmers’ President Xavier Martin said “The Exchange is an opportunity to im­agine what Australian agriculture could look like over the next 50 years, bringing togeth­er leading experts alongside the perspec­tives of young farmers who will help shape that future.”

Tickets for the Young Farmer Exchange are available at https://events.humanitix.

com/young-farmer-exchange. Tickets for the Hats Off at The Royal are available at https://www.rasnsw.com.au/events/hats-off-at-the-royal/

Destination Central West (DNCW) is con­tinuing to work with industry, councils and government partners to support the region following the diversion of the Great Western Highway.

Transport for NSW has advised that the closure is expected to remain in place for at least three months while stabilisation works are undertaken. During this period, the Cen­tral West remains open and accessible via several alternative routes, and businesses across the region continue to welcome visitors. We recognise that this situation is evolving quickly and that many businesses are already responding to visitor questions and travel concerns.

DNCW is continuing support industry during this period, including; Monitoring visitor economy impacts through industry feedback and survey data, Providing clear visitor messaging and industry communica­tions resources, Working with councils and regional partners to support coordinated messaging Advocating to Destination NSW and NSW Government on behalf of the re­gion’s visitor economy. DNCW will continue providing updates to industry as the situa­tion evolves.

Businesses are encouraged to continue promoting events, experiences and regional travel while sharing clear information about alternative travel routes. For the latest road conditions, visitors should check:Transport for NSW and Live Traffic NSW