Matters of State with Phil Donato

Within the electorate, councils in various towns are facing continuing financial pressures to provide a range of infrastructure, including the maintenance of roads and bridges in communities which are still affected by the drought.

Mining brings an economic and employment boost to the electorate with mining companies injecting $868.2 million into the Central West, with almost 5,000 people employed in the last financial year. They also support communities in a number of ways with scholarships and grants for charities and sporting organisations.

Under the existing system, the NSW Government receives royalty payments from mining companies, some of which goes to the Resources for Regions program. This is a pool of funds which councils can potentially use to provide funding for projects.

However many councils say the existing system is not equitable. It is almost an impossible situation for smaller councils and I am committed to supporting and fighting for a system that sees a fair share of royalties returned to this electorate.

Driver Fatigue: One of my first official duties after being re-elected was as a guest speaker at the launch of the innovative new driver fatigue awareness program "Be a Champ - Stop for a Camp".

This is an excellent campaign which is largely the hard work of a local family who tragically lost their son and brother when he was killed in a road accident returning from a trip out west with two if his mates. Sadly, all three young men lost their lives, with driver fatigue being identified as the cause of the crash.

In my career in NSW Police as an officer and later as a Police Prosecutor I have witnessed first-hand the devastating effect of drivers who don't pull over for a sleep. In fact, many people don't realise that driving being awake for seventeen hours straight can have exactly the same impact on driver behaviour as having a blood alcohol level of .05.

So my message is to residents of Forbes, and indeed the whole electorate where we all have to often travel long distances, is to remind family, friends and relatives to take regular rest breaks to avoid the potential to fall asleep at the wheel.

Remember, it's better to be late than to not arrive at all.

Thank you: I would like to express my appreciation for the support I received in the recent election from the people of Forbes and district and I give a guarantee I will continue to work in your best interests for a better deal for the bush.

The next time I will be back in Forbes on Wednesday 26th June, to come and meet with members of the community and hear their concerns. There are still a couple of appointments, so if you have an issue that is concerning you and I may be able to help, call 6362 5199.