The introduction of the food and garden waste collection at the beginning on April has already paid dividends for our environment, with a substantial reduction of food and garden waste material going into landfill at the Waste Management Centre.

In two-and-a-half months, 635 tonne of material has been received by contractors ANL at their Browns Creek facility from food and garden waste bins collected in Bathurst.

In April 250 tonnes were collected, 266 tonnes in May and up until 17 June 119 tonnes has been collected for the month.

These results re-affirm information gathered as part of the Bathurst Kerbside audit undertaken last April.

The audit found that 60 percent of what was previously going into our red lidded bins was food and garden waste.

Until April this year, this was being buried at our Waste Management Centre. Now, it is being re-purposed into high quality compost and at the same time extending the life of our waste depot.

In addition, a quick look at recycling figures for the first four weeks of the new food and garden waste service has seen a reduction in around 12 tonne of material being collected for recycling.

In April 2015 the figure was 228 tonne, and April this year 216 tonne, about a five percent reduction.

This too is a result of a shift in habits, with some of the paper and cardboard that was previously placed in the yellow bin now being incorporated into material in the new green lid bin.

This alteration in habits indicates an acceptance of the new service and an ability of this community to look forward, to see the ultimate advantages to the environment and also the long term savings to ratepayers. 

AS I travel the Bathurst electorate, people often talk to me about mobile black spots.

This is a Federal matter but accelerating the Mobile Black Spots program is a key focus of NSW and the NSW Government has already committed $24 million to Round 1 of this program which will fix 795 mobile phone black spots and deliver upgraded mobile base stations that will cover more than 14,000 square kilometres.

This multi-million dollar project which is a great win for our area will have towers located at Barry, Bogee, Capertee, Castlereagh Highway, Clarence (Cullen Bullen), Neville, Porters retreat, Rockley and Trunkey Creek.

Last week we committed another $15 million for Round 2 of the Mobile Black Spots program, to add to funding already committed by the Commonwealth and contributions expected from the mobile phone carriers.

EXPERIENCE the enchantment of winter with the Bathurst Winter Festival commencing this Saturday.

What an incredible event for the entire family and the Festival is certainly emerging as a magical attraction. Enjoy the gamut of features which include illumination of iconic buildings, local food and wine, performances from budding young local musicians and of course the opportunity to have a go at ice skating

 It is all happening in Kings Parade until July 16.

THE Regional Arts Fellowships will offer three $50,000 grants for regional artists to broaden their talent and skills.

The 2016 Regional Arts Fellowship applications close on August 2. For further details visit www.arts.nsw.gov.au or email arts.funding@arts.nsw.gov.au.