On-farm emergency water infrastructure rebate scheme extended further 12 months

North-east Victorian farmers still feeling the impact of drought will have a further 12 months to apply for funding from the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme (OFEWIRS) to help build much needed infrastructure to make their properties drought resilient. Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said farmers will now have until…

Nationals urged watchdog to call out discriminatory practices by banks against rural industries

Nationals Senators are calling on the big banks to stop putting their politically charged climate policies ahead of the jobs of hardworking Australians. Leader of the Nationals in the Senate and Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie, along with NSW Nationals Senator Perin Davey, used today’s Senate Estimates to urge the industry’s watchdog to call out…

Inland Rail Sponsorship An Immediate Boost For Northern Victorian Communities

Community groups in northern Victoria continue to benefit from the Inland Rail Community Sponsorships and Donations Program with four new groups sharing in more than $10,000 of grant funding in the seventh round of the program. The Inland Rail Sponsorship and Donations program provided: $2,000 for the Broadford Town Tennis Club to upgrade their lighting…

The Nationals secure Government commitment to maintain Regional Forestry Agreements

At today’s Senate Estimates, the Nationals Senate Team secured a commitment from government that they will keep the Regional Forestry Agreements (RFAs) and reject the recommendations from Professor Samuel’s review into the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. “As the Assistant Minister for Forestry, my view is that we stick with RFAs, they are something…

Councils on Road to Recovery in Indi

Local road maintenance in the Indi electorate will receive a boost thanks to funding under the Australian Government’s Roads to Recovery Program. The Liberal and Nationals government would deliver over $157.3 million to 380 local government authorities nationwide for safer and better-maintained roads. Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie said that includes more than $2.5 million for roads…

Wangaratta’s New Pool Creates A Splash

CAPTION: Senator McKenzie inspecting the operations rooms for the new Wangaratta pool and facilities.  Elite athletes and competitive swimmers will benefit from the redeveloped Wangaratta Indoor Sport and Aquatic Centre, which opened today in the northern Victorian town. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the new facility…

$235 million North East Rail Line Upgrade A Win For Victorian Rail Passengers

 Rail passengers in Victoria will enjoy a smoother ride and fewer delays between Albury-Wodonga and Melbourne following the completion of main construction contracted works on the $235 million North East Rail Line upgrade. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the upgrade works on 532 linear track kilometres…