Local Leaders | NSW Farmers: Finding shearing staff could pose problem for coming season

Many producers are currently enjoying good lambing and calving, so are pleased to see price levels remaining high.

There is however concern about availability of shearing staff.

*

This area still has many telecommunications 'blackspots' which create difficulties for farmers, the general community and travellers.

A $20.5 million Federal Government commitment to deliver 67 additional base station projects in the bush is a step in the right direction to improve connectivity.

This is part of the Mobile Black Spot program, which was established to improve regional connectivity and is a co-contribution model with state and local governments, mobile network operators, businesses and local communities.

READ ALSO: Old-fashioned fun at home for active kids

Mayor ponders the sounds of silence over Bungonia waste to energy planning

Based on feedback from members across NSW, there is still a long way to go to fill in the coverage gaps.

Coinciding with this funding announcement was the launch of a new federal review into regional telecommunications services.

The review has already started and is set to conclude in December with a full report due to be handed to the federal government by December 31, 2021.

Like NSW Farmers President James Jackson has said: "Farmers need certainty of voice and data services as the agriculture sector leverages technology to improve food and fibre production and reach $30 billion in output by 2030. Rural and remote communities need certainty of connectivity to keep safe and undertake business transactions."

*

Hope you are all getting vaccinated. Stay safe and well and remember your masks and QR Code checkins.