Bingara’s annual orange-picking ceremony and Orange Festival was a huge success with thousands of people visiting the town for the events.
The orange trees were planted along Finch Street in memory of the town’s fallen soldiers and each tree is a unique living war memorial. The orange-picking ceremony began in 1960 while the festival came years later in 1998.
Congratulations to everyone who was involved with the event.
Infrastructure Grants program (Clubgrants Category 3)
Applications for the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program (Clubgrants Category 3) are now open.
Local not-for-profits, schools and councils are encouraged to apply.
These grants are between $50,000 and $300,000 and funding is available for infrastructure projects in four areas: Arts & Culture; Community Infrastructure; Disaster Readiness; and Sport & Recreation.
To apply and to check eligibility, visit Club Grants Key Information. Applications close 21 July.
Not-for-profit sports clubs across the region are encouraged to apply for funding under the Local Sport Grant Program 2025 (Image: Georgina Poole).
Local Sport Grant Program
Applications are open for the Local Sport Grant Program 2025.
The program aims to increase regular and ongoing participation opportunities in sport across New South Wales through accessibility, reducing barriers, improving facilities and more.
Grants of $2000 – $20,000 are available, with up to $50,000 available in each electorate.
Eligible applicants must be incorporated not-for-profit grassroots sports clubs or associations who organise and deliver sporting activities and develop members’ skills.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit Local Sport Grant Program.
Applications close 18 August.
LP Dutton Trout Hatchery re-opened
The LP Dutton Trout Hatchery at Ebor has been closed to visitors since late 2024 and I have now been advised it has been re-opened.
This update has come after campaigning to have it re-opened through numerous requests to Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty.
The trout hatchery has a long history of tourist and community visits for education and fish feeding, and its closure had an enormous impact on the community of Ebor.
The pub, accommodation facilities, and other attractions all saw a drop in the number of visitors.
I took these concerns to Parliament and am thankful the NSW Government has listened re-opened the trout hatchery.
Now tourists can visit the trout hatchery and learn about aquaculture and the vital role it plays in fish restocking, conservation research, and recreational fishing across NSW, as well as enjoying a self-guided tour and using the on-site free picnic facilities.
I encourage our community go along and support the trout hatchery, which is located at 336 Point Lookout Road, Ebor, and is open seven days a week for visitors from 9am to 3pm.
Reconnecting Watercourse Country program
A total of $4 million has been committed to the Reconnecting Watercourse Country program in the Gwydir catchment.
The program is aimed at ensuring environmental water actually reaches the areas that rely on it, including wetlands which will help the survival of wildlife in the area.
It also seeks to increase environmental water release efficiency, enable farming and water for the environment to coexist, restore and establish water flows for the environmental corridor, and improve conservation efforts.
The project began in 2023 as part of the Northern Basin Toolkit and the $4 million commitment to the program was announced in the 2025-26 NSW Budget.
Waterfall Way works
Scheduled roadwork for slope stabilisation has commenced on Waterfall Way at Dorrigo Mountain. Portable traffic lights will allow motorists to pass in one direction at a time, 24/7.
Motorists are advised to allow approximately 10 minutes of additional travel time.
The work will be conducted on weekdays from 7am until 6pm until November 23, 2025.
Please drive carefully and to the conditions.
Check Live Traffic NSW for any updates.
Commentary by Brendan Moylan, Member for Northern Tablelands
