Barriers imposed by social isolation restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic will be tackled and eased with a grant of $11,258 to Gunnedah’s Winanga-Li Elders Link. The funding will ensure that Aboriginal Elders in Gunnedah, Tamworth and around the district can participate in and contribute to their community during their experience of COVID-19 distancing or isolation.

Domestic violence victim-survivors in the region will receive vital help available during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a share of more than $21 million invested to boost frontline services and other supports. This package will be a great boost to locals impacted by domestic violence or provide help to protect women and children and ultimately to save lives

The appointment of two full-time Patient Experience Officers at Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital will create a welcoming and safe environment for everyone who arrives at the emergency department.

Following the announcement of the merger of Mackellar Care with Maclean Care, Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson is pushing the Gunnedah Rural Health centre to stay in public hands.

Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson, has announced additional funding for a free SMS service providing mental health counselling to 3 million workers in NSW’s rural and regional areas.

This is a very difficult time and many of you are feeling anxious, so I want to make sure I can provide you with the most up-to-date information about COVD-19.

The NSW Government has taken significant new steps to increase restrictions across the state – triggering the next level of enforcement necessary to fight COVID-19.

If you’re concerned you have COVID-19, please call the national Coronavirus Health Information Line for advice on 1800 020 080. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

Stay composed, maintain personal hygiene, wash your hands, take care of each other and we will get through this, is the attitude of Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson with the outbreak of Covid-19 virus.

Families across the region will have more access to influenza vaccinations with the lowering the age pharmacists can administer flu jabs to children from 16 years to 10 years.

Teams of mental health clinicians are being deployed to support people suffering from the bushfire crisis to help rebuild their lives.

Additional support for locally-based HSC students is available with the new HSC Hub switching on for the first time today. HSC students from Walcha to Werris Creek, Tamworth to Tambar Springs, Gunnedah to Gowrie or Barraba to Bendemeer, will have access to the new online platform.

Applications are now open for the $15,000 Bert Evans Apprentice Scholarships and all hard working apprentices are encouraged to make an application. The scholarships support apprentices who are experiencing financial or personal hardship, demonstrate a high aptitude for vocational education and are committed to their on and off the job training.

Students from Tamworth to Gunnedah, Barraba to Bendemeer, Manilla to Nundle and Werris Creek to Walcha will be back in the classroom full-time from next Monday, 25 May. The health advice is very clear; a return to full-time face to face teaching is safe.

As students start to make their way back to school – those attending Tamworth Public School will see exciting new developments taking shape.

The challenges of delivering training courses during the COVID-19 pandemic has been answered with a $64,486 grant for Tamworth Community College.

Try one of the 21 free TAFE NSW short courses that are available online to assist anyone across the region who wants to upskill during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Primary school students from public and central schools in the area will now have access to a world-class gifted and talented program without needing to leave their home town.

A Stronger Country Communities Fund grant of $157,910 will be used to install a Sensory Garden and Outdoor Classroom in the Walcha Central School Playground.

High school students in the region who are interested in a career in tourism and accommodation are encouraged to apply for a place in an industry-first, Tourism and Accommodation Camp.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson MP has announced a further $34,100 in improvement works to Gunnedah Showground as part of a NSW Government COVID-19 stimulus package. The showground has been approved for upgrade work to improve the safety, use and condition of their infrastructure and support jobs in the local economy.

A well-timed grant of $5,000 will assist the Tamworth Junior Riding and Pony Club to upgrade its dressage arena and to buy an electronic clock system for dressage, barrel racing and other events that are determined by split-seconds. It’s fantastic to see these young riders who are so passionate about their sport will get an opportunity to improve their skills in events like dressage and barrel racing.

Greyhound owners across the region will have their registration fees waived for another 12 months. This is great news for our local owners and trainers as we’re seeing an easing in restrictions, which in time will allow more people to return to tracksides.

With community sport and recreation about to kick off, a Community Sport Recovery Package has been announced to provide financial support and assistance. This is great news for our sporting teams and clubs across the region with grants of up to $1,000 to assist them for when sport resumes on 1 July.

A Local Sport Grant of $5,000 will help to create opportunities for junior baseball players in Tamworth, with a plan to subsidise fees and to buy uniforms and playing equipment. This is great news for baseball in Tamworth, it is a sport that is a solid fixture in this region.

Gymnasiums, yoga, indoor pools and dance studios can reopen within a fortnight and kids’ community sport can resume across the region from 1 July, as more COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. This is great news for those people who are really missing the physical challenge that going to the gym, a yoga class or a session on the dance floor can deliver.

Young drivers’ patience is being rewarded with driver-testing back at full capacity from 1 July, thanks to easing of COVID-19 restrictions. All young learner and P-plate drivers are able to book a driver test online, via phone or in a Service NSW Centre.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson MP is continuing his push for work to begin on upgrading Werris Creek Road and to upgrade and seal Rangari Road. I am in constant contact with the Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, Paul Toole and we both agree that important roads like Rangari Road and Werris Creek Road need to be started to provide improved conditions for the region’s motorists.

A common sense approach has prevailed in relation to holding critical water supplies in Chaffey Dam for as long as possible during one of the worst droughts on record. This breakthrough has come after a series of meetings with the NSW Government and key local stakeholders .

The forestry and timber industry in the Walcha area will benefit from the planting of 500,000 softwood seedlings after the summer’s disastrous bushfires. The rejuvenation of burnt-out forests over the next 12 months will grow into timber for house frames, floorboards, decks, fences, bridges, power poles and other essential renewable timber products.

Water security in Tamworth has been increased thanks to funding announced by the NSW Nationals and State government to fast track critical water infrastructure projects in NSW.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson is doubling down on his calls for an urgent change to the water sharing plan in the Peel Valley regarding the use of water in Chaffey dam.

Farmers rebuilding from the ashes of the recent bushfires will be boosted by the great news that $209 million has been committed to rebuild essential boundary fences.

More than 16.5km of a new $39 million permanent pipeline eliminating water losses between Chaffey Dam to Tamworth, is now in the ground with the project providing solid stimulus to local businesses and workers.

A $3.5 million grant will flick the switch for the construction of an almost 15,000 panel solar farm at Manilla, breaking new ground for cheaper and sustainable energy.