General News
9 March, 2026
Roy's Round Up - March 5, 2026
The last two weeks were mostly taken up with committee work, in Taree and in Sydney, but this week I am back out in the electorate.
This time I am hosting Dr Joe McGirr, the Member for Wagga Wagga, to meet with people involved in delivering medical services across Barwon.
We will be making our way from the east of the electorate out to the Far West, on a four-day tour. Dr Joe is the Chair of the Legislative Assembly Select Committee on Remote, Rural and Regional Health, which reviewed the progress of the implementation of the recommendations of the Rural Health Inquiry.
He will be looking at some of the specific challenges facing medical staff and hospital administrators in Barwon, but also to see some of the things that are working well. It should be an informative tour.
Drought Relief
With record rains falling across parts of the Far West, it might seem strange to be talking about drought relief, but there are still areas in south-western NSW that are in drought, and future droughts are never too far away in this country.
Recently the minister for agriculture, Tara Moriarty, announced funding for drought impacted areas of NSW. There is also more investment in feral animal control in recognition of the fact that pests become more of a problem when an area is in drought.
The funding includes:
• Doubling the loan amount available from $250,000 up to $500,000 under the $250 million Drought Ready and Resilient Fund.
• New small Drought Relief Loan of up to $100,000 established – immediate, low cost finance to help manage the impacts of drought. With an upfront payment option, reduced documentation requirements, and no property as security on the loan requirement.
• NSW Rural Financial Counselling Service $1.8M funding - provides free and independent financial counselling to eligible farmers experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.
• Drought Adoption Officer Program funding extended by $1.2 million.
• Term of the Southern NSW Drought Coordinator extended - initial six months now extended to the end of 2026 and expanded to western NSW, where dry conditions are challenging farmers.
• Free feed and water testing available statewide, $250,000 funding, through LLS.
• Reduce kangaroo populations in drought-affected western NSW, $1.2 million funding.
• Increase the targeting of feral pigs and deer for landholders, $2 million program - supporting landholders in drought-impacted regions where limited food and water drive the feral and pest animals to compete with livestock around critical water points and shaded areas.
There will be a series of local events delivered across southern and western NSW to inform and facilitate access.
Reconstruction Committee
Some of my time over the past two weeks was spent as part of the NSW Reconstruction Authority Joint Select Committee, which is conducting a review of operations during the east coast severe weather event of May 2025.
Part of the review involved site visits and hearings in Taree, a town that was hit hard during the event. We saw flood affected parts of the town and heard a range of evidence from local organisations.
The committee’s purpose is to look for ways to improve the recovery phase following a disaster.
From the evidence presented, it is clear that whatever the disaster, there are common problems with things such as communication, coordination of services, managing donations, housing those affected as well as looking after their physical and mental wellbeing.
The information gathered from site visits and testimony presented by residents, service providers and local governments will go into creating a final report with findings and recommendations for the NSW Government.
Committees are an important way of gathering information to help the government improve the operations of its agencies and to make better decisions based on up-to-date information.
Big Wet in the Far West
There has been a decent amount of rain falling across areas of the Far West. At Cymbric Vale Station they are seeing rainfalls of over 200mm.
Some areas that were recently in drought are saying the drought has now broken.
Of course, with the downpour also comes the danger of flooding. There have already been road closures along the Silver City Highway and the Barrier Highway.
It is possible that by the time this is published the waters may have receded (especially since I’m heading to Broken Hill), but if you’re heading out anywhere in the Far West it is always good to check your intended travel route and avoid flooded areas.
Wilcannia Weir Paused Again
It was disappointing to hear recently that the Wilcannia Weir replacement project has been stalled again because the federal government has said that it is unwilling to provide funding for the project.
The NSW water minister, Rose Jackson, has said that the state government still has $70 million set aside for the project, but the federal government needs to commit to $60 million in funding so that the community gets the weir that they agreed to.
The federal government has said that they have not been given a business case for the Wilcannia Weir. That is now being provided and hopefully a way forward will be found. I will meet with the federal water minister, Murray Watt, to discuss the issue.
Water security is a critical issue in Wilcannia. The river has great cultural importance to the Barkandji - their name means 'River People'.
When there is water in the river the town is happy, when the river is low there is a rise in crime and other social problems.
The Weir has been a long time coming, but it is time to stop the delays and get the project underway.
Australian Open Sporting Clays Championship
Last week I had the pleasure of being able to get out to the Australian Open Sporting Clays Championship at the Windamere Regional Shooting Complex.
Organised by Mudgee Sporting Clays, this was an impressive event, with over 330 competitors taking part, some of them shooting a gruelling 150 targets a day, over a course that includes a range of challenging layouts.
The course was set by a fellow they flew out from England, who sets international courses around the world.
While I couldn’t take part in the full event, I got to participate in one of the side events - a pool shoot, where the score increases every consecutive target you hit.
I borrowed a gun, and Anna from Bronze Wing Australia sorted me out with some shells.
Members of the NSW government including the premier Chris Minns should come and see what these events are all about. It’s a huge economic boost for regional communities, it’s a safe, family friendly environment.
What other sport do you know of that everyone has been declared a “fit and proper person”?
All those who competed are people who will be harmed by the rushed firearms legislation the government rammed through parliament late last year.
There were people from many cultural backgrounds happily enjoying their love of the sport and not a terrorist in sight.
Paul Toole MP was there to show his support for the event, the range is on the edge of his electorate.
Young Women in Agriculture
Last week I was in Eugowra for the AgShow’s NSW Young Women in Agriculture competition zone six finals.
This is a contest devised to choose young women from the country who will represent agricultural shows from regional, rural and remote areas at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
The contestants are all accomplished young women who come from a range of backgrounds, but all have a strong connection with their local agricultural show.
Among the contestants were six brilliant women from Barwon.
Like all the other contestants, the Barwon women spoke with intelligence and passion about their communities, their experiences living in the country and their involvement with regional agricultural shows. They all had to think on their feet as they answered questions about their hopes, aspirations, and the legacy of agricultural shows.
In their responses they demonstrated what amazing ambassadors they all are for their communities and for their local shows.
While this time there were no Barwon women among the three selected to go on to the next stage, everyone who made it this far can be justly proud of themselves. It was a tough competition and every one of them did their communities proud.
The event was hosted by the Eugowra Show Society and held at Eugowra’s brand new multi-purpose centre.
It is an impressive venue, and it is great to see this sort of investment in regional NSW.
I wish the women the best of luck in their future, judging from this event those futures will be bright.
