The Shire has again received great follow-up rain over the past few weeks, which is a great start to the coming crop planting season in the cooler months, however, it is still warm enough to be breeding a great deal of insects – especially flies and mosquitoes!

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Last Wednesday I attended the free ‘Drought Support Networking’ event for small businesses at the Narrabri RSL Club, which was organised between NORTEC Small Business, the NSW Government Business Connect program and Narrabri Shire Council to assist and support local Shire business of all sizes to maintain their drought resilience, and how to build and further develop their businesses in the current climate, and out the other side for life after drought.

Some of the focus discussions that were covered by many guest speakers included:
• Business Connect advisory support
• What financial support is available
• The future of regional communities
• Empowering ideas through collaboration
• Risk Management
• Funding options
• Digital strategies

It was a great opportunity to find out how to access subsidised business advisory and workshops, as well as learning how to support other local business owners, including using the ‘Buy Regional’ and the #buyfromthebush campaigns and how your businesses can be involved.

If anyone who did not attend would like more information on this service, contact the local Business Connect Advisor – Mr Derek Tink

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Finally this week, I would like to provide a reminder to all residents and community members that we are involved in a Shire-based committee or a community/sporting Group that would like to apply for funding through the coming 2020 Council Community Grants Fund – the Fund will open for receipt of applications at the beginning of April 2020 and run for eight weeks.

If your club or committee would like to submit an application, please start getting organised and have your applications ready to go in April – just so you don’t miss out.

This is a great opportunity for all local clubs and committees in the Shire to apply for funding for any type of project or development that will be completed within the coming 12 months.

Now is the time to get your club or committee thinking about what they would like achieve for their clubs, and apply.

Cr Cathy Redding, Narrabri Shire Council Mayor

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