The NSW Advocate for Children and Young People, Zoë Robinson, will embark on a tour of NSW to join children and young people in their communities.

“This is an opportunity to get back out into the community and thank the children and young people of NSW for sharing their voice and ideas,” said Ms Robinson.

The Advocate is dedicated to making this year a memorable one, as it marks the cul­mination of her impactful five-year term as the Advocate for Children and Young Peo­ple in NSW.

“Across this year, the ACYP team and I will sit with and listen to children and young people and hear what they have to say about issues that impact them,” said Ms Robinson.

In total, ninety-five requests were submit­ted from schools, organisations and youth advisory groups asking the Advocate to participate in a range of activities.

“This is a chance for me to sit with the community and hear from them, and also to thank them. It’s crucial for those in gov­ernment and leadership roles to immerse themselves in the community, to truly un­derstand and appreciate the voices of our future,” added Ms Robinson.

Organics Bill with Jackie Brian, David Littleproud, Damien Rankine and Niki Ford.

Leader of The Nationals David Littleproud has called for organic products to actu­ally be organic, after a Senate committee handed down its report into the National Organic Standard Bill 2024.

Mr Littleproud said industry was backing the Coalition’s common sense legislation.

“There is a clear and unified recognition across the organics industry, that Austral­ia’s regulatory framework is not fit for pur­pose,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The industry does not need another re­view or inquiry. It defies logic that organic products currently aren’t required to be cer­tified or comply with any particular organic standard, but can still call themselves or­ganic. The organics industry, as well as consumers, needs and deserves action.”

Mr Littleproud pointed out “The need for domestic regulation has already been identified and recommended by the Stand­ing Committee on Agriculture’s inquiry. The Coalition remains committed to a domestic organic regulatory framework in Australia.

“Products in Australia can currently claim to be organic with as little as two per cent of the ingredients being certified organic.

In comparison, organic products sold for export require 95 per cent organic ingredi­ents. Australia is also the last nation in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to not have a regulatory framework for the use of the word ‘organic’.”

Mr Littleproud added the former Coalition government had started a pathway to set­ting an Australian standard for the organics industry, worth over $2 billion annually, by setting up an industry-led advisory group, which laid down the pathway to complete reforms in 2020.

“The industry does not need another De­partment scoping exercise. The benefit of domestic regulation for import and export markets and to improve consumer confi­dence in Australian organic produce has been clearly articulated.”

CMA Deputy Chairman and Bega Valley Shire Mayor Cr Russell Fitzpatrick with CMA Chairman and Temora Shire Mayor Cr Rick Firman OAM.

Forbes Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM, executive member of Country Mayors Association, is proud to be working alongside Chairman of the NSW CMA Mayor Rick Firman OAM, who has called for the Australian Govern­ment and Opposition to commit to the res­toration of Commonwealth funding for Local Government.

“Federal Governments of all persuasions have slowly but surely eroded the funding that is provided to Local Government. It is alarming that the annual Financial Assis­tance Grants (FAGs) provided to Local Gov­ernment by the Federal Government have decreased from 1% of Commonwealth taxa­tion revenue in 1996 to just 0.5% today.”

The CMA has written to the Prime Minis­ter, The Hon Anthony Albanese, and both the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Peter Dutton MP and to the Leader of the Na­tional Party, the Hon David Littleproud MP requesting one on one meetings to discuss the issue. The Leaders have also been in­vited to address the 28 March meeting of CMA, focussing Financial sustainability.

Country-based Councils in NSW face unique cost pressures, with many Local Government Areas being the size of small European countries and being responsible for close to 1,500kms of roads. Mayor Fir­man explained that Councils are required to deliver public services like administration, recreational facilities, pools, libraries and waste facilities in multiple locations in order to ensure equity of access, which increases the cost of Council operations.

“We are asking the Commonwealth and Opposition to step up to the plate, to support our Members in providing the services and infrastructure that our communities need and deserve. A commitment to return FAGs funding to 1996 levels would substantially improve financial sustainability for NSW councils and Local Government across Aus­tralia,” concluded Mayor Firman.

An upgrade of Kiewa Street in Manildra will deliver safer, smoother journeys for all mo­torists driving on the main street of the small Central West town.

Transport for NSW will remove and re­place the existing road surface right through the centre of town, starting on the western side of the Mandagery Creek Bridge and stretching to 50 metres west of the intersec­tion with Boree Street.

Work will get under way on Friday 28 Feb­ruary with crews starting at the eastern end of the project, tying into the asphalt installed in June 2024 as part of the Mandagery Creek Bridge replacement project.

“We expect the $2.5 million of road re­surfacing work to take five weeks in total, weather permitting, with a mix of day, night and weekend shifts planned to limit the im­pact on motorists, businesses and residents in what is a very busy area in Manildra,” Transport for NSW Acting Regional Director West Holly Davies said.

“Kiewa Street not only provides access to businesses and services in the Manildra town centre, but also acts as an important regional thoroughfare linking Orange and Parkes for tourists and freight operators travelling around the Central West.

“However, those high traffic volumes – including many heavy vehicle movements – have left the existing road surface badly damaged in some areas and a complete re­moval and replacement of the main street through Manidra will be welcomed by all motorists.”

The first section of work between the Mandagery Creek Bridge and Goimbla Street, which takes in most of the business­es in Kiewa Street, will be done at night be­tween 6pm and 6am from Monday to Friday, with some weekend work also required.

Crews will then revert to day shifts be­tween 7am and 6pm from Monday to Satur­day for the section of work between Goim­bla Street and Boree Street to avoid noise keeping nearby residents awake at night.

Changed traffic conditions including a re­duced 40 km/h speed limit and single lane closures will be in place during work hours, with two-way traffic flow in place outside of work hours.

The northern side of the Duff Street, De­rowie Street, Goimbla Street and Boree Street intersections will be closed during work shifts where each intersection is di­rectly impacted, and there will be temporary restrictions to vehicle and pedestrian ac­cess to properties while work is carried out in front of the business or home.

Vehicles will need to be parked off-street by 6pm on evenings when night work is planned.

The youth crime crisis is escalating across parts of regional NSW, with the Minns La­bor Government’s limited bail reforms prov­ing unsuccessful at keeping communities safe.

Shadow Minister for Police Paul Toole said a lack of leadership and action has led to a law and order breakdown.

“Youth violence and street crime contin­ues to wreak havoc and it’s hard to ignore the growing chaos in NSW. The police are stretched thin and it seems the Minns Gov­ernment isn’t prioritising public safety,” Mr Toole said.

“Recent incidents highlight just how out of control things are. Public spaces and homes aren’t as safe as they used to be, leaving people questioning if enough is being done to address young reoffenders racking up rap sheets similar to hardened criminals.

“Our regional communities have had a gutful. Residents tell me they are scared and crime has never been as bad as it is right now under a weak Labor Govern­ment. How many more innocent lives will be turned upside down?“Community safety should be the num­ber one priority – not the criminals.

The Opposition will continue to fight for stronger laws and interventions to protect communities.