It also enables members to meet new people and learn a variety of skills such as event management, leadership, social media marketing, media liaison and so much more.

This year's Youth Council has been involved in some wonderful projects including Food and Flix, an outdoor cinema experience for young people, and YJAM in the Park, an event featuring performances from young local musicians.

Applications close Wednesday, June 12. For more information or to apply, visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au.

CCTV installation

The first stage of council's CCTV Safety Initiative is taking shape with the installation of cameras near the library on Keppel Street.

The CCTV program is part of council's Smart Community Initiative and aims to deter crime and anti-social behaviour within the CBD. It also contributes to a greater sense of safety in our community.

Council has worked in partnership with police to identify high priority areas for the cameras. Stage one consists of the installation of multidirectional cameras on William and Keppel streets at a cost of $270,000 and is expected to be operational by the end of this financial year.

Designs are currently being prepared for stage two, which will be funded by $400,000 from the Federal Government's Safer Communities Fund and $250,000 from council.

WINTER is here, so now is the time to compare gas and electricity plans. It takes only minutes, but could save hundreds of dollars a year.

I'm happy to announce that households across the Bathurst electorate can now save potentially hundreds of dollars a year on gas bills thanks to an expansion of the NSW Government's popular Energy Switch service.

Energy Switch helps ease the cost of living for families by helping them find the best deal. Energy Switch works by using a customer's latest energy e-bill and comparing it with every retailer in NSW before presenting the top three plans available. If a switch is requested, Service NSW will make all the arrangements.

Last year, we saved 900,000 NSW households about $300 million through our NSW Government energy rebates.

Energy Switch is one of more than 40 NSW Government rebates and incentives easing the cost of living. Others include cheaper green slips and refunds, $100 Active Kids and Creative Kids vouchers and free registration for regular toll users.

People around our electorate who have switched already have saved an average of $431.

Visit www.energyswitch.service.nsw.gov.au.

Local cricket benefits from World Cup

CRICKET clubs and councils in the Bathurst electorate can apply for $2 million in grants to help their local cricket community through round two of the NSW ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund.

Fifty-five projects received $1.96 million in funding in round one of the grant program in 2018, including Bathurst Regional Council and Blayney Shire Council. Round two will see another $2 million available for new facilities and programs to drive participation.

The NSW ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Legacy Fund aims to help clubs and councils in the Bathurst, Lithgow, Oberon and Blayney areas improve local cricket facilities, increase participation and attract major cricket events.

Applications for the NSW ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Legacy Fund will be open from May 28-July 8. Visit https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/t20worldcupfund.

Be careful

THERE have been some treacherous conditions on local roads this week and that sends a timely warning to all motorists ahead of the Queen's Birthday long weekend.

The message is simple: if you are planning to travel, remember to take regular breaks, drive to the conditions and take extra care.

With double demerit points in force, police will have a high presence on roads and will be targeting a raft of offences.

Drivers caught using their mobile phones can expect to be hit with a fine as well as losing up to 10 demerit points.

Stay safe and have a great long weekend.