In spite of planning issues, Housing Plus' women and children's domestic and family violence centre was officially opened just over a week ago.
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The new $4m facility has been broadly supported and was funded by all tiers of government.
When I was requested by Housing Plus to support their funding request, I did so, and with vigour.
I supported Housing Plus' Community Building Partnership grant application for a new security system, which I delivered on.
I also worked very hard, coercing the NSW Government to deliver Core and Cluster funding for substantial financing of the refuge project.
I delivered questions and speeches in parliament, and had meetings with the then Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Pru Goward.
My efforts resulted in the NSW Government delivering Core and Cluster funding, and the combined funding which I managed to secure for this project was $1m.
It was great to attend the opening to see facility complete, but, disappointingly, I wasn't invited to co-open it, nor was I invited to address those who gathered for the opening.
The unelected and self-proclaimed member for Orange, Sam Farraway ... had nothing to do with this project being funded or planned.
- Elected member for Orange, Phil Donato on the $2.2m development of the Orange Court House security
If I were given the opportunity, as the elected local member, I would have shared my experiences and perspectives of domestic violence in my former career as a police officer and police prosecutor.
I'm grateful to the hardworking staff of the Orange Court House for inviting me along to the official opening on the new Byng Street security entrance to the court complex.
The new $2.2m development was delivered only as a result of me bringing the security deficiencies when I delivered a speech the NSW Parliament on August 2, 2017.
The unelected and self-proclaimed member for Orange, Sam Farraway, was at the opening to address media about the project delivery, but he had nothing to do with this project being funded or planned.
He wasn't even a member until last year when he was selected by the National Party to replace Niall Blair who resigned as an MLC.
Mr Farraway wouldn't have been liaising with Sheriff's Officer and Court Staff like I had been, discovering the need for a new Smith's Detection machine and Ceia walk-through scanner to keep court staff and visitors safe.
I'm pleased the Attorney General heeded those security concerns I raised in my parliamentary speech and responding by delivering on my request for these upgrades.
Last week I learned through reading this newspaper that the Naylor Pavilion at the Orange Showground has finally been funded for a new kitchen and bathroom addition.
This is fantastic news, and it is as a result of my relentless lobbying of the NSW Government through written representations I've made on behalf of the Orange Show Society for the past few years.
I met with Minister Melinda Pavey on June 3 this year to make the final push, successfully getting funding of more than $500k for this project over the line.
Unfortunately, I wasn't invited along for the announcement by Mr Farraway, which was several years, prior to his appointment, in the making.
It's great to see funding being delivered on projects which I've worked hard to achieve.
As your elected state representative, I will keep working hard for funding of our local projects.
COUNTRY SHOWS RETURN IN 2021
In response to the despair of people who were relying on work in the country show industry, I asked the Government back in September would they consider saving the carnival and show industry from economic ruin by allowing shows and carnivals to be held for attendees between 500 and 10,000 people.
Lo and behold, the NSW Government have responded in the media late last week that they're allowing country shows, for up to 5,000 attendees at a time, to return from January 9, 2021.
This is great news for the industry, and fantastic news for country communities who really need these events to bring everyone together.
Member for Orange Phil Donato
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