Final nominations of eligible black spots are due by 5pm on Friday, August 1 and can be made by emailing mobilecoverage@communications.gov.au.

Under the mobile black spot program, we are investing $100 million in telecommunications infrastructure to improve mobile coverage in outer metropolitan, regional and remote Australia.

Paul Fletcher, parliamentary secretary to the Minister for Communications, visited the electorate in May at my invitation to gather community feedback on mobile coverage issues and to discuss how the program will operate.

The government will start a competitive selection process in the second half of this year, with locations that have been selected for funding announced in the first half of 2015. The first base stations funded under the program are anticipated to begin rolling out in the second half of 2015.

CONGRATULATIONS to all involved in the highly successful National Rugby League game held in Bathurst on Saturday. 

Despite the weather being less than ideal, close to 9000 people flocked to Carrington Park to see a closely contested match. It wasn’t just Bathurst residents, with many people travelling from Sydney, Orange, Oberon, Parkes and Forbes and many other areas from NSW, which is great business for local accommodation and hospitality providers.

It was fantastic that local community and sporting groups were involved with local dancers, junior rugby league and the traditional dancers in the day.

With four more games coming to Bathurst over the next four years, I’m sure this event will become even bigger and better.

THE new $484.2 million entrepreneurs’ infrastructure program is putting in place the supporting infrastructure to help local businesses become more robust and build on their strengths, as well as provide the advice and a helping hand to support businesses take the next step into new growth areas.

Businesses in Calare can access government information and services through a single website or contact number. Eligible businesses will be able to request business evaluations from skilled advisors and be able to apply for assistance to grow their business.

The full range of EIP activities will be rolled out in the coming months, and will provide professional support to assist local businesses to lift their capabilities, commercialise good ideas, find market and industry information and get easy access to business management advice and connections to research.

The program can be accessed through www.business.gov.au, on 13 28 46 or through your local AusIndustry office.