In 2020 and with the upheaval caused by COVID-19, it is now more important than ever to shop local and support our region's economy.

Council has adapted how it delivers BizMonth this year, with a mix of in-person and online events to ensure we were still able to proceed with this important event.

The last of the BizMonth activities are being staged this week. The always popular BizMonth lunch was held on Tuesday, with guest speaker Gus Balbontin joining via video link from Melbourne.

The final business workshop is on today, looking at the importance of content for business social media pages.

Holiday responsibly

THE school holidays are underway and we have seen an increase in the number of visitors to the city joining our local community in exploring the region, our museums and facilities.

Tourism is a vital part of our economy and welcoming visitors to our city is an important part of our recovery from the impacts of COVID.

However, it is vital that whether we are choosing to holiday close to home, or travel, that we all remain COVID-safe and follow the recommended health guidelines for gatherings, social distancing and hand hygiene.

Chifley Dam

CHIFLEY Dam is continuing to spill this week after recent rain.

While we are celebrating the dam filling, high level water restrictions remain in place for town water supply users.

Gardens and lawns can be watered under the odds and evens system before 10am and after 4pm.

Our dedicated water hotline remains in operation, so if you have any questions about water restrictions, you can speak to the team on 6333 1683.

Council is continuing to progress the two water security projects, the Winburndale Dam pipeline and stormwater harvesting, to help secure the city's long-term water needs.

WITH a wet and wild summer on the cards this year, the NSW Government and NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) are encouraging all communities to be ready for a potential increase in storms and floods.

Unfortunately, some people are not heeding the warnings of NSW SES and are risking their lives by driving through floodwaters.

In fact, over the past eight months alone, NSW SES has received 500 flood rescue requests from people who have done exactly that.

You wouldn't run into a bushfire, so we are asking the community to help NSW SES volunteers by never driving, walking or riding through floodwater - it is dangerous.

You put yourselves, and the people who come and save you, at risk.

Our dedicated NSW SES volunteers selflessly give up their own time to protect their communities during floods and storms.

It is important to know your flood risk and have an emergency plan in place for what you will do in the event of a flood. Don't be scared, be prepared.

NSW SES has 9500 volunteers who partner with their communities prior to and during emergencies.

For more storm safety tips and information on how communities can prepare for storm and flood events, visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au

Reel in a share of funding

RECREATIONAL fishing is a great activity for all the family and the local area has any number of lakes and streams that are ideal venues to wet a line.

And with the recent release of hundreds of huge rainbow trout into Oberon Dam, Ben Chifley Dam, Lake Lyell, Lake Wallace and the Mill Pond at Portland, there's never been a better time to try to land a whopper.

Fishers are now being encouraged to apply for $20 million in funding through Recreational Fishing Trust grants to help fund projects in their area to improve and promote recreational fishing.

Anglers pay their licence fees and every single cent of that goes back into the sector, and this $20 million through Recreational Fishing Trust grants is just another example of that.

This week I am putting the call out for the fishing fraternity to put in their applications for any ideas they have in mind which will build great new facilities, improve a fishing habitat, or put more into research.

The latest round of funding closes on October 30 and is open to all in the recreational fishing industry, including clubs and organisations, community groups, and councils.

Funding guidelines and application forms are available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Grant ideas can also be discussed by contacting DPI Fisheries on 4916 3835 or by emailing recreational.fishingtrust@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Defibrillator program a lifesaver

ONE of my favourite funding initiatives is the potentially life-saving NSW Government Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program.

Sporting clubs and organisations and councils are encouraged to apply for assistance in purchasing one of these units, which are acknowledged as being a vital piece of equipment for their organisation.

With more and more people remaining active at an older age, early access to a defibrillator could mean the difference between life and death in the event of a cardiac arrest.

Up to $1 million is available to sporting clubs and councils this year and with up to 7000 people in NSW experiencing an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year, that's why it's crucial our clubs and councils are equipped to respond to these life- threatening emergencies.

Medical experts say the first eight minutes following a cardiac arrest are critical and that early access to CPR and a defibrillator is essential to increasing a patient's likelihood of survival.

The program is open until April 12, 2021.

For more information, go to sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/grants/defibrillator