IT has been a great week for funding announcements in the Electorate of Parkes.

$1.5m to address family violence in Bourke 
In Bourke up to $1.5 million is being allocated for a tailored project to address family violence experienced by Indigenous women and children. The funding forms part of the $25 million Indigenous-focused package under the Third Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022.
The funding for Birrang, a local community service with specialist experience in supporting Indigenous families, will deliver family-focused case management for Indigenous families impacted by family violence. It will support perpetrators to encourage behaviour change.
Birrang has been identified based on its expertise, as well as local needs in the community and is commended for its important work.
We know that community-based, culturally-appropriate solutions are required to reduce the rate of family violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children.

$1.3m to give Nyngan a healthy boost
The Nyngan community has received a healthy boost with the completion of the $1.3 million Nyngan Medical Centre. The dividends a Medical Centre like this can create for the community, such as reducing the need for excessive travel to receive essential medical services, are immense.
This new Medical Centre will improve access to crucial health services and increase the level of prevention and intervention measures available to residents. The new state of the art facility will reduce the overall cost to the health system by reducing pressure on the local hospital.
The Medical Centre features two general practitioners rooms, two specialist consultation rooms and a medical procedure room, reducing the need for patients to be admitted to local hospitals.
An estimated 2,000 people will use this facility each year, and it will provide the town of Nyngan with the critical infrastructure it needs to grow. The project was jointly funded by the Australian Government ($611,432), the Bogan Shire Council ($653,568), and Straits Tritton Mine ($35,000). 
 
$6.6 million Dubbo Saleyards upgrade officially unveiled
The $6.6 million upgrade of the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets will contribute to the growth of the region’s cattle industry, underpinning the state’s agricultural sector.
Dubbo’s Livestock Markets are recognised nationally in regards to cattle throughput numbers and the expansion and upgrades to the cattle selling facility was made possible by the $3.29 million contribution from the Government’s National Stronger Regions Fund, which was matched dollar for dollar by the Dubbo Regional Council.
The additional capacity for improved cattle management at the saleyards will permit the handling of large cattle numbers with greater ease, with between 5000 and 7000 head passing through the facility each sale day.
The project has created jobs and is contributing to the growth of the region's cattle industry, underpinning the state's agricultural sector.
More than 30 jobs were created during construction, with 22 ongoing jobs as a result of the upgrade—this is in addition to the 245 fulltime equivalent jobs the saleyards already support.
The Coalition Government is proud to be investing in critical economic infrastructure such as better and bigger livestock facilities which will support some of the region’s major industries.

Demand for Indigenous artwork assisted by $202,620 grant
The quality of artwork and output capabilities of a talented Aboriginal sculptor will be enhanced through a $202,620 Indigenous Entrepreneurs Package grant.
The grant is part of the Nationals/Liberal Government’s $115 million Indigenous Entrepreneurs Package election commitment.
This investment will support Urban Sculpture Aboriginal Corporation in acquiring a water-cutting machine, Metalmaster roll former and a forklift, as well as welding and cutting machinery.
The purchase of this capacity-enhancing machinery will allow Urban Sculpture Aboriginal Corporation to meet the growing demand for its artwork pieces and to employ local jobseekers. In addition, Urban Sculpture plans to engage other Aboriginal businesses in its supply chain where possible, for example in sourcing material. 
 
Helping Aussie farmers access safe and effective agvet chemicals:
The Coalition Government has announced a third round of up to $1.78 million to improve access to safe and effective agricultural and veterinary (agvet) chemicals, part of a four-year $8 million investment. The grants programme, opening on 1 August 2017 to research and development corporations, will help Australian farmers access new products and expand uses for existing chemicals.
Applicants may seek up to $100,000 per grant for projects aimed at including a new use on the label of a chemical product, and up to $50,000 per grant for projects aimed at broadening or gaining new access to a use through an Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) minor use permit.
This grant funding will make Australian producers more competitive by improving their ability to access new and innovative agvet chemicals that may be already available to their international competitors.