The Fund is part of the $6 million NSW Regional Conferencing Strategy and Action Plan and provides investment into the regional visitor economy on a matched-dollarfor-dollar basis.

Across the electorate we have some fantastic conferencing facilities and this is a sector which presents a significant growth opportunity for our region, because we know that events generate extra business for our restaurants, attractions and accommodation providers, all driving the local economy and creating jobs.

We look forward to welcoming first-time and returning visitors to our region, which will help to spread the word about our fantastic business event capabilities.

I am aware that the conferencing industry is currently worth $173 million in overnight visitor expenditure to rural and regional NSW, with the NSW Government working hard to grow the number even further.

This is a wonderful opportunity to drive even more investment into our local community.

The NSW Regional Business Event Development Fund is managed and administered by the State’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

For more information on the Fund, go to www.meetinnsw.com.au.

Help for families in the drought

There are so many families who are struggling through tough drought conditions but they will now have even more support to help their children attend preschool, thanks to an additional $2.6 million from the NSW Liberals & Nationals.

The second round of the Preschool Drought Relief payments will be hugely helpful for families in not only our region but all across the State.

The drought continues to be relentless and the impact in our part of the world has meant that there are many families who are doing it tough.

The drought is still biting us here, so it is crucial that as a Government we continue to lend a hand where we can.

There are families who have had to stop sending their little ones to preschool and the funding can be used to reduce fees, allow more flexibility with travel arrangements and increase sustainability.