Customers in the Goulburn Electorate will have more reasons to celebrate catching up with friends and family this summer with two additional Dine & Discover vouchers available for NSW residents.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the expanded program will support residents across the community and encourage economic activity as part of the government’s economic recovery strategy.

“This is about supporting people to get out and have a meal or spend the day discovering their community while supporting businesses,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

“The additional $250 million investment by the NSW Government will help businesses recover from months of restrictions and encourage people to enjoy what they love most.

“We experienced the success of the Dine & Discover program when we reopened last time, which is why we are doubling down efforts with an additional two $25 vouchers – one for Dine and one for Discover venues.

“We are backing our businesses and helping hip pockets by expanding the program, in addition to extending existing vouchers until the end of June 2022.”

Mrs Tuckerman said the vouchers would again be delivered via the ServiceNSW app.

“You’ll find them in your ServiceNSW app in time for summer or you can contact ServiceNSW and they can send them to you,” MP said.

“To date, almost 4.8 million people have taken advantage of the voucher program since its launch in March, giving businesses a $430 million boost.”

NSW residents aged 18 years and over who are yet to apply will be able to do so until the program ends and will receive all six $25 vouchers.

Participating businesses do not need to reapply. Those who want to join the program are encouraged to register, download the scanner app and get ready to redeem.  

More information will be made available in the coming weeks on the nsw.gov.au website. 

Locals could be among the more than 4,500 public servants eligible for five days’ special leave to assist the state’s farmers ahead of a record harvest season.

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said this was another important step from the NSW Government which would help the region’s farmers bring in their crops.

“Agriculture will be a significant driver as the Goulburn electorate and state’s economies recover from COVID. By providing harvest leave to staff to provide an extra set of hands in the field helps get produce to market and dollars into farmers’ pockets.

“This is the first time leave of this kind has been offered to Department of Regional NSW staff and it’s another example of the work this government is doing to help farmers source the workforce they need for another bumper harvest. 

“Through drought, bushfires, mice and now the pandemic, the regions have stood tall to produce the food and fibre we all rely on. Now it’s our turn to help them out.”

The initiative was announced this week by Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole and Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall.

“Nearly 80 per cent of staff from the Department of Regional NSW already live and work in regional NSW, so chances are many of them know their way around a header or chaser bin and how important this busy time of year is for regional communities,” Mr Toole said.

“These workers can volunteer to help out with any harvest, anywhere in the state – from harvesting blueberries in Coffs Harbour, oranges and table grapes in the Riverina and Murray, to cherries in the Central West or helping bring in a bumper grain harvest.”

“This will be a record season and Harvest Leave provides another positive incentive to ensure this year’s crops are harvested,” Mr Marshall said.

Staff can use local contacts or the Help Harvest NSW website to help find suitable opportunities to assist in this year’s harvest. There is no cost to farmers getting help from departmental volunteers, as staff will be paid at their standard leave rate by the Department. Leave will be managed to ensure there will be no impact on services provided by the Department.

Safer journeys are on the way for Goulburn Mulwaree with Deccan Street being awarded $1.56M under the latest round of the Fixing Local Roads Program with the aim to improve journeys for regional communities, farmers and freight.   

Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman said the local project is among 138 to rollout under the $153 million third round of the Program, which facilitates shovel-ready projects to repair, maintain and seal priority roads in their community.

“Funding the repair of Deccan Street gives Council a helping hand to address their maintenance backlog and to maintain a road that really matters to the Goulburn Mulwaree Community, particularly with the new Aquatic Centre on the horizon, but also with the aim to create more efficient journeys for freight operators and primary producers in the region,” Mrs Tuckerman said.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council Mayor Bob Kirk said Deccan Street is a busy road within the City which is in need urgent need of work.

“Deccan Street is a busy road, with it being one of the major access points to Goulburn High School, Victoria Park and our Aquatic Centre. It is also a key road within the route to the Crookwell area, which means these works will really improve the trip for our heavy vehicle users.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said Fixing Local Roads had already delivered more than $394 million for 361 projects across 91 regional Local Government Areas from Armidale to Albury in the first two rounds.

“We know that sometimes its small projects that can drive big benefits in the bush. This program is helping to deliver better journeys on the roads families use every day,” Mr Toole said.

“These projects won’t just ensure that locals see the benefits of this investment every time they get behind the wheel, they’re also supporting an additional 1,374 jobs throughout construction.

Fixing Local Roads is a $500 million NSW Government program, which was boosted by the Australian Government over the first two rounds with an additional $191 million.

Further information about the Fixing Local Roads Program can be found at nswroads.work/fixinglocalroads.    

The first sod has been turned on the site for the new $25m Goulburn Police Station in the state’s Southern Highlands.

Goulburn, known for being Australia’s first inland city, has had a police station since 1826, with the existing station comprised of buildings dating from 1848.

The new station, incorporating The Hume Police District offices, will be located on the grounds of the NSW Police Force Academy, which occupies 40 hectares.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott joined Police Commissioner Mick Fuller APM and Member for Goulburn Wendy Tuckerman to mark the start of the construction of the multipurpose police station.

Mr Elliott said today’s ceremony was a milestone in the NSW Government’s commitment, made in 2019, to build a new police station at Goulburn.

“The new purpose-designed station will be funded through the government’s $100 million commitment to police property capital works,” Mr Elliott said.

“It’s a great opportunity to be able to locate the state’s newest station within the grounds of the Force’s 40-hectare educational facility.

“Several times each year we gather here in Goulburn to welcome hundreds of new officers as they attest. We have a responsibility to them, and the entire Force, to ensure that they have the best facilities and resources available to proactively prevent and disrupt crime.

“This Government has committed to deliver new and upgraded stations across the state, further complementing our record $583 million commitment to fund 1500 extra police over four years,” he said.