Photo caption: Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton (second from left) recently visited Narrabri’s Australian Recycled Plastics facility to announce the funding for its reprocessing capacity expansion. He is pictured with operations manager Terrence Duncan, co-owner Dale Smith and office manager Jennifer Grant.
COVID-19 outbreak in Western NSW
Unfortunately, COVID-19 entered our Western NSW community last week, with a positive case first detected in Dubbo. Cases have since climbed and, as a result, all of NSW is now under stay at home orders.
In response to this outbreak, I’m pleased that the Federal Government has provided an additional 7,680 Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine doses immediately for use in the affected local government areas, so that we can get as many people vaccinated as possible.
I encourage people to take advantage of these additional vaccines and get vaccinated to protect yourselves, your family members and your community. Vaccination is our best chance of fighting this virus.
I also urge everyone to come forward for testing, even if you have the mildest of symptoms.
And please stay home. The more we limit our movement, the less chance this virus has of spreading. Now is not the time for complacency. We can’t afford to let this virus spread further in our vulnerable communities.
I know this is a difficult time, but if we all do our bit in protecting our communities – by staying home, getting tested and vaccinated – I’m confident we can get through this.
Visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19 for the latest information on case numbers and locations, testing facilities, vaccination clinics, stay at home orders and exposure sites.
Water security for Menindee graziers
Last week I was pleased to announce that the Federal Government will contribute $5 million towards the construction of the $11.5 million Broken Hill to Menindee Graziers’ Pipeline.
The project will involve a dedicated pipeline across 320,000 hectares of farmland between Stephen’s Creek Reservoir and Sunset Strip to provide long-term water security for Menindee graziers.
This vital project will improve the quality and reliability of water infrastructure for 16 graziers and support the expansion of agricultural industries right across the Far West.
Water is the lifeblood of our communities, and we are backing our farmers, especially in preparation for future droughts.
The Broken Hill to Menindee Graziers’ Pipeline is one of 40 water infrastructure projects nationwide that will share in $108 million in federal funding through the National Water Grid Connections funding pathway. For further information, visit https://www.nationalwatergrid.gov.au/.
Recycling transformation
I am delighted that Australian Recycled Plastics in Narrabri will be playing its part in transforming our nation’s recycling capacity, as one of 22 New South Wales projects to be funded in a statewide infrastructure rollout.
The Narrabri recycling facility will receive $2,090,000 in joint funding from the Australian and NSW governments, as well as an additional $2,194,500 from industry to expand its reprocessing capacity.
Australian Recycled Plastics is one of the few facilities that processes polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics in the country, with material coming from near and far.
Narrabri is leading the way in this industry, and this expansion will allow the facility to reach its full potential, increasing its yearly processing from 6,000 tonnes to 9,300 tonnes per annum.
The funding will be used to upgrade the facility’s existing wash plant to be able to fully utilise its PET, HDPE and PP processing equipment.
For further information on the Recycling Modernisation Fund, visit https://www.environment.gov.au/protection/waste/how-we-manage-waste/recycling-modernisation-fund
