Disruption and delays to motorists are to be expected over the next few weeks.

Crews have constructed the concrete ring of the roundabout and median islands on the approaches to the roundabout.

Several layers of asphalt will be applied to the intersection, which is expected to take four to five days to complete, and will take place generally within school hours under road closure.

Outside of school hours, during drop-off and pick-up times, the intersection is expected to be open under traffic control conditions.

The roadway will be reopened to traffic at the end of each working day around 5pm.

The construction of a carpark on the corner of Suttor and Mitre streets is also continuing.

The carpark will have 25 spots for easy access to the shops and tennis courts.

The area will be trimmed, sealed and line marked.

Motorists are advised the intersection is currently still a work site and that delays are to be expected to the flow of traffic with the speed limit reduced to 40km while the works are underway.

Once the construction phase is completed, the beautification works can commence.

This phase will involve installation of irrigation, turfing and planting of vegetation.

This is expected to have minimal impact to traffic.

A radio campaign is continuing to run on local radio to remind the community that businesses adjacent to the intersection remain open.

For the latest project information, visit the Bathurst YourSay website, or, if you prefer to talk to someone, please call 6333 6100.

Sporting association grants

COUNCIL provides grants to help local sporting organisations that are affiliated with the Bathurst District Sport and Recreation Council purchase equipment or for upgrade works.

A total of $20,000 has been allocated to this scheme.

For more information and application forms, phone 6333 6285 or visit www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au

Applications close on Tuesday, September 29.

Dam levels

THE storage level in Chifley Dam continues to rise slowly, with Chifley Dam reaching 41 per cent and Winburndale Dam at 82.7pc.

Thank you again to our community for your ongoing support of extreme level water restrictions.

Information on water restrictions is available at www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/waterrestrictions

FIRST home buyers and the construction industry will be the big winners under a targeted boost which will eliminate stamp duty on newly-built homes below $800,000 and slash thousands of dollars for properties up to $1 million.

Thousands of people will see their bank balances benefit from this change; it will help get more keys into more front doors at more new homes.

It will also boost housing construction across NSW and support jobs in the building industry.

Under the changes, the threshold above which stamp duty will be charged on new homes for first home buyers will increase from the current $650,000 to $800,000, with the concession reducing on higher values before phasing out at $1 million.

It's been predicted that more than 6000 first home buyers will benefit from the changes, saving eligible first home buyers thousands of dollars.

The stamp duty threshold on vacant land will rise from $350,000 to $400,000 and will phase out at $500,000. We need to ensure our building sites keep ringing with hammers.

The NSW Government will also continue to offer a $10,000 First Home Owner Grant, which is available to people buying a new first home worth no more than $600,000, or buying land and building a new first home worth no more than $750,000 in total.

For more information, go to revenue.nsw.gov.au/grants-schemes/first-home-buyer/assistance-scheme

T20 World Cup legacy

OFF the back of a fantastic ICC T20 Women's World Cup in which Australia defended its title, the Legacy Fund will help inspire the next generation of community cricketers across the Bathurst electorate.

With applications now open for the final round of the T20 Legacy Fund, we will ensure communities across the state will reap the benefits of hosting a World Cup.

I encourage clubs, associations and councils in the local area to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.

We've given more than $4 million to clubs and councils to support 133 projects across NSW during the first two rounds and we're proud to see the positive impacts on cricket across our state.

The Legacy Fund invests in all levels of cricket, from girls and boys picking up a bat and ball for the first time to showcasing our elite players at events across NSW.

As the game continues to grow, this final round of funding will leave a significant and lasting legacy for cricket in NSW.

I encourage you all to consider applying to this final round.

Applications for the Legacy Fund will be open until August 24.

Get the full details at sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/t20worldcupfund

Safe businesses

THIS year's 2020 SafeWork NSW Awards will recognise regional and metropolitan businesses that have implemented innovative and effective measures to protect their employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nominations are now open and, given this year's unique circumstances, will focus on businesses that have best responded to the significant challenges posed by COVID-19.

It's not been an easy year for our local businesses, and this year's awards are a great opportunity to say thank you to the Bathurst employers who have gone above and beyond to adapt their working methods and keep our community safe.

I encourage everyone in the Bathurst electorate to visit the SafeWork website and nominate one of our local businesses for their fantastic efforts over the last few months.

This year marks the 17th anniversary of the SafeWork NSW Awards, which will be broken down into three sub-categories: small business, large business and government.

The winners will be eligible for a $3000 safety rebate for their business.

Nominations are open until August 9 and winners will be announced in October.

To nominate, visit www.safework.nsw.gov.au.