AND WESTERN DISTRICTS ADVERTISER
Ph: 0448 231 180
THURSDAY 16 November 2023
Email: molongex@bigpond.net.au www.molongexpress.com.au
One year on: Where are we at?
Above: The morning after. It would be easy to simply shrug our shoulders and say "it will happen again" but for those living and rebuilding from the nightmare of November 13/14 2022 that comment standing alone, and the community acceptance of - is not reality in what should be recognised by a 'smart' community as the effects of a changing climate. Question is: Do we simply accept what some will say was a 100,150,or a 200 year event? OR, as an intelligent community do we work 'smarter' and accept that a changing climate might well bring a series of regular follow up events of the depth, size and volume that swept through Molong only 12 months ago? Acceptance of the external environmental challenges of today is not going to go away. But there is a chance to live with this knowledge, be prepared and source the latest sciences and technological advancements, design and build a safer and better informed future. Let us not go down in the town's history books as the generation who sacrificed this beautiful town by failing to learn.
Flood recovery matched to total $100 million
Last week the Express was pleased to announce the NSW Government financial support of $50m to support flood recovery across Central West NSW. This week, the Express is even more pleased to report that the Federal Government has now matched the NSW Government initiative with an additional $50 million package for flood recovery funding for the NSW Central West. This brings the total commitment
from the state and commonwealth governments to $100 million. Andrew Gee - Federal Member for Calare has continued the pressure on government to roll-out the fundingas soon as possible. On the eve of the first anniversary of the storm and flood event, Mr Gee asked the Prime Minister for assurances the funding would be made available to residents on the ground and "on the double". The PM gave unequivocal assurance that there would be no delay in getting
the funding out the door. In his response the Prime Minister said: “I certainly will give the community [the Central West], through the Member for Calare, that assurance.” The Prime Minister then acknowledged Mr Gee’s advocacy for disaster-hit areas of the Central West. “I thank him for the representations he’s made on behalf of that community.” P.4
Next Week: How will Cabonne Benefit?
Connecting the Community since 1876 $2.00 inc gst
A message from Paul and Rozzi
Welcome to the Molong Express as we return to our once a week, every Thursday issue. We have certainly got our roller skates on as we head through November and December to end the 2023 year. What a year! Paul and I are so thankful to have the support and wonderful skills of Pen. and Rachel who have hopped in to put the Express together. Phil (Cabonne Rides) with the help of Dolittle Farm, in transporting the Express from our Sydney based publishers to Molong. Cabonne Rides has also taken over the delivery of the Express to Manildra and Cudal with our own team delivering to Cumnock. Thank you also to our distributor in Orange who delivers to local newsagencies. To Lynn Townsend who sends our 'mail out' copies and most of all to Matt, Kaylene and the Molong Newsagency team who deliver the Express to thankful residents on Thursday mornings. What a team! What a year! What a community. Paul and I are so thankful to live in this wonderful community and district. Right across our readership area Molong, Manildra, Cumnock, Cudal, Orange people have phoned us, sent messages, visited, came and checked on us and delivered home cooked meals. The offers of volunteer help to keep the Express going during Paul's illness and after the flood has proven the strength of this and the wider Cabonne and Orange communities. The good news is that Paul will be back home in the 'POD' with us (our little black dog, R2) by the end of this week. We can hardly wait to have our man home again - after what has been a 'massive' 12 months. Meanwhile, the Express continues to question and seek answers from the authorities about safeguarding Molong/Cabonne residents from future floods. Time for new initiatives, time to address the issues, time to learn, time to accept, time for change. Reality is knocking on our doors. Respectively yours ... Rozzi