Andrew GEE MP

from Molong Express 20 July 2023

Locals represent in the Western Youth League

Runs On The Board For Cabonne

√ $2 billion for Great Western highway upgrade

√ $40 million for Mitchell Highway upgrades between Orange and Molong √ $2.1 million for streetscape improvements in Molong and Canowindra

√ $15 million for a new Molong Multipurpose Service

√ $492,410 for construction of the Eugowra Community Centre

√ 24 hour rescue helicopter

√ $408,000 for childcare/early learning services in Molong

√ $700,000 for Bangaroo Bridge Replacement

√ $117,396 for resurfacing and new lighting at the East Molong Tennis Club

√ $60,000 for the Molong water tank artwork

√ $390,210 for new lighting and nets at Molong Rec Ground

√ $308,175 for an education and info centre at the Australian National Field Days site at Borenore

√ $2.5 million for an ambulance station in Molong

√ $2.59 million for new overtaking lanes on the Cargo Road

√ $185,764 for a new amenities block and support for the Molong Showground and Society

√ 47 mobile phone towers and base stations for Calare

A Heartfelt Thank You For Hill End Support

Iwas back at Pyramul in the Hill End district recently to talk to farmers Max and Ralph Price and also local relief co-ordinator Penny Hundy about how important our community relief effort has been to local farmers who were devastated by the recent bushfires.

Penny Hundy did a fantastic job of coordinating the Hill End Bushfire relief effort, with the key assistance of Lions disaster relief coordinator Anne Jones and the Guerie Lions Club. There were approximately 600 bales of hay and two semis full of grain donated, as well as plenty of licks. It has made such a huge difference.

Recently in Parliament I thanked all of the individuals and organisations who have supported what has been a massive community project. You can see the whole speech on my Facebook page.

A special thank you to Peter Sargent and the Team at Bathurst RSL Club who donated just over $19,000. I also want to acknowledge the incredibly generous donations made by Tony and Rose Spina, who contributed an amazing $10,000 to help our local farmers. However, whilst the community support has been amazing, there is still a whole lot of work that needs to be done.

When Eugowra was hit by storms and floods, vital $75,000 Special Disaster Grants were made available – now we need the same for the Hill End area.

The funding for these grants is a joint state/ federal responsibility. The first step is for the NSW Premier to request them – which he has yet to do. The hurt and heartbreak in the Hill End district is still very real and continuing, and I have contacted the NSW Premier to ask that these crucial grants be activated.

TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?

It was interesting to hear that federal Nationals’ leader David Littleproud has been in Eugowra and Molong this month.

The storms and floods hit the Cabonne Shire and Wellington on the 13th and 14th of November 2022. It’s now 8 months later.

For the party that says it represents the people of regional Australia, that’s an extraordinarily long time.

While I welcome him to our electorate, the question has to be asked why it has taken almost eight months for him to visit our disaster-hit communities to express his concern.

No wonder people are cynical about the major parties. They turn up, announce that they’re here to win the seat back and then go for photo opportunities eight months after the disaster hit. That’s called only showing up when they want your vote.

I suspect that for a lot of residents still picking up the pieces from this traumatic time, his visit will be a case of way too little, way too late.

Molong Streetscape Upgrade

Under the previous federal government we were able to secure $2.1 million for streetscape upgrades in Molong and Canowindra.

The design of the upgrades is up to Cabonne Council and the community.

The funding came courtesy of the now finished Building Better Regions Fund. If the funding isn't used, it must be handed back.

I know there is widespread anger about Molong's indequate storm water drainage system which should

GRANTS! GRANTS! GRANTS!

There are some fantastic Australian Government grant opportunities currently available in our region, which may be of interest to you or your organisation. You never know if you don’t apply!

Rapid Response Referendum Grants are now open to community groups and not-for-profit organisations undertaking initiatives that elevate and amplify First Nations voices and leadership within the Yes campaign, and enable accessibility of information about the upcoming Referendum process. A short expression of interest must be submitted before a grant nomination can be executed. Individual applicants can apply for between $2,500 and $15,000, until funds are exhausted.

The Australian Government has announced the first round of the Growing Regions Program under the 2023-24 Federal Budget, which will provide large-scale funding for capital-expenditure projects across Australia’s regional, rural, and remote areas. Individual applicants can apply for between $500,000 to $15 million, depending on the entity

Orange Electorate Office

type. Before an application can be submitted, organisations must submit their expression of interest to the Department of Infrastructure by Tuesday 1 August 2023.

The Regional Arts Fund (RAF) Project Grants are available for regional or remote artists, art workers, audiences, and communities undertaking highquality arts projects. Applicants can apply for up to $30,000 for projects with a focus on any area of creative practice, multiple art forms or crossdisciplinary practice. Applications close Monday 14 August 2023.

Strengthening Rural Communities

Prepare and Recover Grants provide community groups and not-for-profit organisations with up to $25,000 to implement initiatives that prevent and prepare communities for future climate events or recover from existing natural disasters. Applications close on Thursday 31 August 2023.

If you need any further information or require a letter of support, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at andrew.gee.mp@aph.gov.au.

WHAT IS THE VOICE?

In late 2023, Australians will have their say in a referendum about whether to change the Constitution to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

The Voice would give advice to the Australian Parliament and Government on matters that affect the lives of Indigenous Australians. The Voice would be subject to the rules set for it by Parliament, it’s advice would be non-binding and it would not have a veto power.

The aim of the Voice is to get better outcomes for Indigenous Australians by ensuring that they are consulted on issues that affect them. For example in housing, education, health and jobs. It’s about long overdue constitutional recognition, and Closing the Gap.

The finest legal minds in the country have declared the Voice to be constitutionally sound. Eminent constitutional barrister Bret Walker SC has stated that the suggestion that the Voice will gum up the workings of government is ‘too silly for words’ and 'nonsense'.

have been upgraded and fixed years ago.

Unfortunately there is no way of repurposing this streetscape grant money for another project.

In Bathurst we recently tried to repurpose a $12.5 million grant and the answer was "NO" before the government snatched the money back. Flood mitigation work is vitally important - and that includes town drainage and rail overpasses. All levels of government have a role to play in securing funding to make it happen.